After the island's farmers signed the papers, they realized that in fact they had agreed to their voluntary evacuation.

Another contributing factor to the lack of voluntary evacuation was the fact that many residents relied solely on public transportation.

Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were ordered for part of the state.

As a precaution, emergency officials began notifying about 1,000 nearby residents of the voluntary evacuation three hours later.

Some here even ignored the voluntary evacuation of several businesses four months ago.

From 25 March, nearby residents were encouraged to participate in voluntary evacuation.

There was also a voluntary evacuation and anthrax vaccination program established for people from 18-55.

Walton County officials issued a voluntary evacuation for low line areas and mobile homes.

After the nuclear incident, the area around the city was declared a zone of a voluntary evacuation.

Some 300 houses and ranches were threatened, said officials, who asked for voluntary evacuations.