On Wednesday, March 7th, rescue efforts began, and hundreds of evacuees were transported to NASA and other shelters on the mainland. Already the Red Cross had arrived to provide food and bedding. Then, on Friday, March 9th, as the water receded from the causeway, evacuation of the island was ordered. The Red Cross, Army, and Civil Defense worked with other agencies to remove residents in Army helicopters, school buses, and private vehicles. However, more than a thousand residents remained on the island to start cleaning up their homes and businesses and to guard against looting.

Because of flooded septic tanks and ruptured water lines on Chincoteague, men, women, and children received typhoid inoculations in the shelters. Mimeographed instruction sheets with information about the disposal of sewage, safe foods, and the laundering of sea-soaked window drapes were handed out.