Where it is safest to stay during a crisis depends on the situation. In many cases, the safest option is to remain at home. In other situations, you may need to leave your home at short notice. Always seek information from official sources and follow the advice and instructions issued by the authorities.
Emergency shelters are designed to protect the population during wartime and other extraordinary situations. They are not normally used during everyday emergencies such as storms, power outages or local incidents.
Plan Ahead
As part of your self-preparedness, you should consider in advance where you could go if you needed to leave your home. Possible alternatives include:
- Family or friends
- A holiday home or cabin
- A hotel or other accommodation
- Another safe location outside the affected area
- An Evacuee and Family Assistance Centre (EPS), if established
Make a plan for how you would get there. If you use a car, ensure that you have sufficient fuel or battery charge, as transportation may be difficult during a crisis.
What Should You Bring?
If you have to leave your home quickly, bring essential items such as:
- Identification documents
- Mobile phone, charger and power bank
- Medicines and necessary medical equipment
- Warm clothing and blankets
- Food and drinking water
- Bank card and some cash
- Glasses, hearing aids and other personal aids
- Supplies for infants or young children, if needed
Being prepared will make it easier to manage if you cannot return home immediately.
Emergency Shelters
Emergency shelters are facilities intended to protect the population during war or other exceptional circumstances. Shelters may be public or private and are located throughout Norway.
Public shelters are available to the general public. Private shelters are intended primarily for people who have a connection to the building where the shelter is located, such as residents, employees or students.
When Are Emergency Shelters Used?
Emergency shelters will only be activated in very specific and serious situations, such as war. If there is a need to seek shelter, the population will be notified through official warning systems and public information channels.
For most emergencies, the safest place is often your own home, provided that you follow official advice and have basic emergency supplies available.
Find an Emergency Shelter
The Norwegian authorities provide a national map showing public emergency shelters and their locations.
Map of public emergency shelters in Norway