Summer storms – thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods – are no joke. When disaster strikes, you want to be ready. Government agencies and the Natural Resources Defense Council recommend having a “Go Bag” ready so that at a moment’s notice you can throw it in the car and hit the evacuation routes. Whether you choose to keep this bag prepped and ready to go at a moment’s notice or plan to pack it up at the sign of a storm watch, you need to make sure your Go Bag is stocked with these disaster essentials.
Here are fifteen of the most important items to keep in your bag, according to The Weather Channel and the NRDC:
1. A Waterproof Bag
Your bag should be large enough to fit all of these essentials and durable enough that it can weather a storm — literally. Look for a large duffel bag that is waterproof and has pockets for organizing all of the little details you don’t want to be without when you need to hit the road.
2. Important Documents
Come rain or shine, you definitely don’t want your important documents (think: birth certificates, passports and the like) to be lost, or worse, destroyed. Keep them protected by making sure they’re always together and in a flame- and waterproof container. And, if you’re vaccinated against COVID-19, be sure to bring that vaccination card along as well.
3. Evacuation Routes
It’s important to make sure you have an evacuation plan the whole family is aware of, and that it is clearly marked on some maps kept safely inside your “go” bag.
4. Cellphones
If your family gets separated or is split up between multiple vehicles, having cellphones will make keeping track of each other easy. In your “go” bag, store extra chargers so you don’t have to worry about your battery dying in the middle of a call or trying to send a text message.
5. Petty Cash
Should the power go out all across town and card-readers stop working, you want to have between $50 and $100 in small bills at the ready. Keep the cash in a labeled envelope so you can access it easily.
6. Keys
The last thing you want to be doing when you’re fleeing a storm is hunting for your spare keys. Keep an extra set of car and house keys in your “go” bag so you don’t run around the house in full panic.
7. Food and Water
Hopefully you won’t go long periods of time without access to food and water, but it’s better to be prepared than to not have it when you need it. Pack several bottles of water (a general guideline is two gallons per person per day you expect to be gone) as well as non-perishable foods like granola bars.
8. Pet Food and Bowls
Just as you should plan to have food and water for your family members, don’t forget to pack provisions for your pets!
9. First-Aid Kit
Including a first-aid kit in your “go” bag almost goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: pack a first-aid kit and don’t forget to have extra medication for anyone in your family that requires it. And while you’re at it, the first-aid kit is a good place to keep a list of all family medications (including dosage) and the reason for taking it, just in case you have a medical emergency and need to tell a doctor. This would also be a good place to keep extra facemasks to guard against contracting COVID-19 or other diseases if you’re in close quarters with a lot of people.
10. Toiletries
If you’re going to be spending a few days together as a family in the same vehicle, deodorant is a must. Be sure your bag is prepped with personal hygiene supplies for everyone.
11. Battery-Powered Radio
In the age of smartphones and tablets, a battery-powered radio may seem archaic, but it’s still on many “go” bag lists as a must-have item (along with extra batteries!), including this one from the NRDC.
12. Flashlight
When the power goes out and it’s dark out, you’ll be reaching for a flashlight. With advancements in lightbulb technology, go for an LED bulb which lasts longer than traditional lights.
13. Can Opener
Since canned foods don’t need refrigeration, they’re often a go-to for food in emergency situations. Don’t be caught without a means to open them — be equipped with a hand crank can opener (you’ll be glad you packed it when the electricity goes out on your electric can opener).
14. Fresh Clothes
Should you be evacuated for several days, you’ll want a fresh set of clothes to change into. Have a set packed for each member of the family; they’ll come in handy should you need them.
15. Medication
The Red Cross recommends packing at least a seven-day supply of any necessary medications when you evacuate. If your pets take medication, be sure to include some in your “go” bag as well.
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