Flood waters are increasing. A fire broke out next to it. A tornado siren is exhausted above. In a crisis, every second counts and each decision is important. Having a fully supplied Emergency Bag means that you do not bother to find supplies, drugs or critical documents when evacuating quickly.
I live on the Côte du Gulf in Florida in a city that has been hardly struck by hurricanes in the past. With a new season of hurricanes in progress on June 1, I am more on duty than ever. Hurricane is nothing new for me – I grew up near the water in North Carolina, where my parents still live – but even, the news of a developing storm makes me anxious. This is why I am always prepared with a bag of essentials.
I built my faithful GO Bag of Emergency of the Hard Experience, including during the hurricanes last year Helene and Milton. (And this bag is not only for the preparation of hurricanes – my sister lives in Oklahoma and assembled her own Go bag according to my recommendations for tornadoes.) Believe me: having a ready bag can make a chaotic and terrifying moment a little more manageable.
Read also: Tornadoes, floods, forest fires, intruders: 4 ways that your phone can help in an emergency
What is a Go bag, and why you really need it
A GO bag (also called affection bag) is a backpack or a small cap filled with essentials of which you, your family and your pets may need in the hours or days after a natural disaster forces you to leave the house. Emergency officials, especially in areas subject to hurricanes or fires, urge each household to have at least one in standby.
Ideally, each member of the family has their own. In this way, you do not carry a massive bag or not making heartbreaking choices on what remains.
Why you should wrap a Go bag now
Many disasters give us an avant-pleat, while others strike merciless or notice. Even with a forecast, evacuation orders can suddenly come. You will want to be ready to go at any time if you live in areas to which you regularly face:
- Hurricanes or tropical storms
- Sudden floods
- Mud layers
- Tornadoes
- Earthquakes
- Forest fire
- Ice storms
- Tsunamis
What to pack in your emergency Go bag
Here is a list of articles control to include in your appointment bag:
Go Bac Essiancess:
- Water filter bottle
- Pocket lamp (solar or crank)
- Non-perishable food (mres or lyophys-schy meal)
- Personal hygiene items (soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, etc., in waterproof bags)
- First aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, drugs)
- Phone charger and portable feeding bank (for iPhones or Androids)
- Spare batteries
- Work gloves
- Medicines and copies of prescriptions
- Important documents (IDS, insurance, passport, birth certificates in a waterproof bag)
- Home and car keys
- Map and compass (do not count on the GPS)
- Cash (small invoices and parts)
Go bag Extras:
- Paraord (strong, compact and versatile)
- Riflers (to fix the equipment)
- Whistle (to report help)
- Start -up tools (lighter and waterproof matches)
- Dust mask
- Coverage (vacuum assembly to save space)
- Change of clothes and a poncho
- Sunscreen
- Family photo (for identification purposes, in a waterproof bag)
- USB drive with digital copies of family photos
- Paper, pens and band (to leave messages)
Other key considerations in an emergency
Now that you know the vital items that you need to pack in an emergency, here are some additional things to consider.
Jump the water gallons and pack a water filter instead
Most emergency kits recommend storing three days of water at home. But wearing so much water during an evacuation may not be realistic, especially if you are on foot.
Instead, pack a bottle of water purification like the Lifestraw Go Bottle or the Grayl Geopress. These bacteria and filter contaminants of ponds, ditches or even puddles, transforming summary water into a source of oral backup. Both bottles can register outside your bag to save space. Just be sure to read the instructions because many filters must be started with clean water before use.
Opt for a solar flashlight
A power failure is almost guaranteed during a major storm. Instead of wrapping batteries that can run out or be soaked, opt for a solar or crank flashlight, like the Thorfire LED flashlight. Bonus points if it is coupled with an AM / FM radio for meteorological updates.
Don’t forget your animals
In the chaos of an evacuation, it is easy to forget the needs of your pets, but they count on you as much as children. Whether you evacuate for a few hours or a few days, packing an emergency kit for your animals is essential for their health, comfort and safety.
Here is what to include in the Go bag of your animal:
- At least three days of pet food (stored in hermetic containers or zipper bags)
- Foldable food and water bowls
- Treats (they will also need comfort)
- TEP identification tags with current phone numbers
- Micropile information, in case your pet separates from you
- Vaccination and proof of property (these may be necessary in hotels)
- A secure leash and harness
- Box or operator labeled with your name and contact details
- A blanket or a small bed with a familiar perfume
- Toys or chew to relieve anxiety during the trip
- Dog waste bags
- Litter and litter for cats (a small disposable tray works well too)
- Drugs and dosage instructions
- Pets wipes for pets or a towel for quick cleaning
How to choose the right Go bag
The best Go bag is the one you can really wear. Do not take a giant duffel unless you are convinced that you can transport its long distances. A robust hiking backpack made from water -resistant canvas with padded straps and a chest strap is ideal. Look for one with lots of compartments and, if possible, an integrated water tank, also known as the hydration or camelbak pack.
An excellent option that we recommend is the Sandpiper sand from California Bugout Backpackwhich is durable, spacious and designed for rapid evacuation.
Additional resources
Climate change makes hurricanes, forest fires and other stronger and more frequent disasters. The preparation is no longer optional – it is essential. Taking a few hours to assemble and safely store a Go bag could save lives, reduce stress and facilitate slightly easier evacuation.
Although the devastation of these events can be painful, you can take many steps to protect yourself, your home and your loved ones from a natural disaster. Here are some additional resources:
I hope your appointment bag is something you will never need. But if the day comes when you do it, let it be ready, reliable and just where you need it.
