In the unlikely event of a San Onofre power plant emergency that would cause the precautionary evacuation of students from Our Savior’s Lutheran School, we want you to know that your children are in good hands with a good plan. Before you, as a parent, would even know that an emergency existed, school staff would have already been notified of the need for a precautionary evacuation, escorted the students to awaiting buses, and be on their way to the evacuation reception center.
So, now that you know your children are safe, how do you find them?
If the situation is eventually deemed safe, then students will be returned to campus. If it is not safe to return, then Our Savior’s Lutheran School’s designated evacuation site is now the Orange County Fairgrounds located at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. To reach the OC Fairgrounds, 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.
The Fairgrounds have entrance gates on all four sides. Without knowing which gates will be open, it is best to follow signs or continue clockwise around the perimeter until you find an open gate.
All elementary school students will be taken to building 10 (A.K.A.-The Hanger) located at the center of the Fairgrounds. There is ample parking nearby this location at the south-east parking lot, north-east of the main gate at Fair Drive. If you have students from other evacuated CUSD schools, highschool students will be taken to the Amphitheater and middle school students will be taken to the Speedway Arena grandstands.
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.
Another route from San Clemente to the Orange County Fairgrounds is to take SR-1 (PCH) to Newport Blvd, then turn right and travel two miles to Fairview Road then turn left and go ¾ mile. Turn right at Fair Drive. The OC Fairgrounds main gate will be on your left.
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, 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.
