According to the OED [1], "evacuate" can apply either to the thing that is being emptied, or to the things being removed. Meaning 2: "To clear (a place) of inm

According to the OED [1], "evacuate" can apply either to the thing that is being emptied, or to the things being removed. Meaning 2: "To clear (a place) of inmates, etc., (a country) of inhabitants, troops, wild beasts." Supported by the quotation "Evacuating the Kingdom of all Foreign Troops" Meaning 8a: "To clear out, remove (inhabitants, inmates, or troops)." Meaning 8b: "To remove (inhabitants of an area liable to aerial bombing or other hazards) to safer surroundings" Supported by quotations "He was evacuating the garrison and Egyptian inhabitants of that place" and "Mr. Greenwood and others strongly appealed to the Prime Minister to evacuate children at once" [1]: http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/65161?redirectedFrom=evacuate#eid5103424 http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/65161?redirectedFrom=evacuate#...