Vehicle Prep

What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down During an Emergency

A breakdown during an evacuation or other emergency is especially stressful. Here's how to handle it.

Broken down car on the side of a road

A vehicle breakdown during a normal day is inconvenient. During an evacuation or regional emergency, it's a significantly more complicated problem — roads may be congested, services may be overwhelmed, and cell service may be unreliable.

The preparation: know what to do if your car breaks down (stay with the vehicle in most cases, signal for help), have a get home bag with you, and know your evacuation route alternatives.

Next StepsUse the guides and free checklists below to keep building.

Vehicle Checklist
Vehicle Kit Checklist