After Hurricane Katrina a Federal law was passed in the USA to make sure pet parents were evacuated with their pets. Before this law was passed many pets were forcibly taken from the arms of their parents and dumped in the street to fend for themselves. Thus during the aftermath of the hurricane many had to put their lives at risk rescuing the pets, but not only that many pet parents put their lives in danger to keep their pets safe. The recognised advise is now that if it is not safe for you then its not safe for your pets, so you evacuate with them.
Here's a link explaining it in brief:
https://www.animallaw.info/intro/state-and-federal-disaster-planning-laws-and-petsSince Katrina most states have taken up the law, and thus provide transport and housing for pets during/after a disaster. There are many charities that have huge mobile pet housing centres that are set up in a safe location near the disaster zone.
In the UK some council's already plan for pet housing after a disaster. In the recent flooding the RSPCA kindly opened their doors to allow pet boarding for free for anyone directly involved. It is now recommended that pets be evacuated with pet parents if they can safely do so, thus there is many more videos showing the pets evacuation then before the Federal law brought it to every ones attention.
Also the experience after the Japanese Tsunami and Earthquake where lots of pets were left loose, or pet parents had to sleep in cars to keep their pets with them, altered a lot of officials minds.
It is well worth doing your own research, once your kit is packed for your cats, find out where they can stay from friends, relatives to hotels that allow pets etc. I would also check with your pet/house insurance to see how that is effected. It maybe that if you don't evacuate with your cats the pet insurance is void, likewise your house insurance may well cover your cats as they may be seen as property etc.
