Click Here for printable PDF version of our Emegency Evacuation Maps & Information
The Plan
In the unlikely event of a San Onofre power plant emergency that would cause the precautionary evacuation of students from San Clemente area schools, we want you to know that your children are in good hands with a good plan. Before you, as a parent, would probably even know that an emergency existed, Our Savior's School staff would have already been notified of the need for a precautionary evacuation, escorted our students to awaiting vehicles, and be on their way with our students to the evacuation reception center at:
Orange County Fair & Events Center
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 708-1500
N33° 39.978' / W117° 54.085'
Thomas Guide Map page 859
Now that you know your children are safe and in good hands, how do you get them back?
If the situation is eventually deemed safe, then our students will be brought back to campus. If officials decide it is not safe to return, then students from Our Savior’s Lutheran School will be kept at our designated evacuation site at the Orange County Fairgrounds located at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa until each student can be picked up by his or her parent.
The OC Fair is a big place. Where do I begin?
The OC Fair has an evacuation reception plan already in place with pre-designated locations for students based on age/school type; however, if there is an event that is already in progress at the Fair, these predetermined student holding areas may have to be changed. It is best to look for signs or to ask officials for specific locations before setting out on your own. If there are not any events taking place at the fair then the plan calls for elementary school students to be taken to buildings 10 and 12, the largest buildings located at the center of the Fairgrounds. If you have students from other evacuated schools, high school students will probably be taken to the Pacific Amphitheater at the south-west corner of the fairgrounds, and middle school students should be taken to the Grandstand Arena [Speedway Track] located in the north-east quadrant of the property.
Directions via I-5 to I-405
To reach the OC Fairgrounds via Interstate 5 and Interstate 405
- Take the I-5 freeway north to the I-405 freeway split (right lanes).
- Continue north on I-405 to the I-55 Freeway south (at John Wayne Airport).
- Head south on I-55 (left), keeping left as you pass under the I-55 overpasses, then right as you pass under the SR-73 overpass.
- Exit at the first off ramp past SR-73: Del Mar/Fair Drive. This will put you on Newport Blvd.
The Fairgrounds will be on your right. There will be a gate immediately on your right; however, this gate may not be open. Continue to the next street [Fair Drive] and turn right. The first gate you come to on Fair Drive [Main Gate/Gate 1] should always be open. If for some reason you cannot find an open gate, continue clockwise around the perimeter of the fair until you find an open gate.
Alternate Directions via I-5 to SR-73
The Toll Road (SR-73) can be used as an alternate route from the I-5 freeway in San Juan Capistrano.
- Take SR-73 north to the I-55 freeway south.
- Stay to the left during the transition, then stay to the right as you pass under the SR-73 overpass.
- Exit at the next off ramp: Del Mar/Fair Drive.
Alternate Directions via SR-1 (PCH)
Another route from San Clemente to the Orange County Fairgrounds is to take Pacific Coast Highway.
- Take SR-1 (PCH) north to Newport Blvd.
- Turn right at Newpoert Blvd. exit, then left to enter Newport Blvd. east.
- Travel two miles inland to Fairview Road then turn left.
- Travel north ¾ mile to Fair Drive. The OC Fair will be on your right.
- To go to the Main Gate, turn right on to Fair drive. The main gate will be on your left.
- To go to Gate 3, continue straight. Gate 3 will be on your right.
Be calm, be smart, be safe
Upon arrival, be patient. Several schools will be staging at the Fairgrounds, which means hundreds if not thousands of frantic parents looking for their children. Watch for posted signs, follow directions given by police, fair officials, teachers and volunteers, and remain calm.
If such an emergency did exist, it would be next to impossible to reach the Fairgrounds by telephone. If your child carries a cell phone, this is your best chance at contacting him or her. Do not tell your child to leave the supervision of school officials. A phone call is only for your peace of mind. You must still follow procedures to collect your child.
We hope that there never comes a day when these procedures will be needed; however, it is best to have a plan, know the plan, and execute the plan the best you can. It would also be a good idea to click on the following link, print out the maps and PDF instructions, then place copies in the glove box of each of your family’s vehicles. This way, if an evacuation did occur, you would have all the information you would need at your ready.
Click Here for printable PDF version of our Emegency Evacuation Maps & Information
Additional information about San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) and Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Response Preparation
Emergency Management Bureau - Orange County Operational Area
Ever-Ready Newsletter (Fall 2011) by Interjurisdictional Planning Committee
Ever-Ready Newsletter (Spring 2010) by Interjurisdictional Planning Committee