Why You Can Trust CNET Hurricane Ian Nearing Florida: Prepare Your Emergency Evacuation Bag ASAP
These items can help make you a little more prepared for a natural disaster.
Hurricane Ian has made its way to the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm on Florida's western coast. If you've witnessed the destruction of a hurricane firsthand or have simply seen the damage done to communities on TV, you know how terrifying these life-threatening storms can be. Preparation is key when facing natural disasters, and if you live in Florida, it's time to start preparing now.
An example of a good go bag.
Hurricane season comes with power outages, storm surges and emergency evacuations. Having a go bag, or bugout bag, to hand is one of the most important safety measures to take ahead of an emergency or natural disaster. Emergency services in affected areas recommend having a go bag ready at all times.
The idea behind the go bag is simple. If an emergency happens, you grab your go bag and... go. It has everything you need to help keep you safe and healthy until you can go back home. Oftentimes, it includes your phone, medications, important documents and other necessities. Here are a few ways you can save your phone during an emergency, too.
Reasons you should pack a go bag now
If you're lucky enough to have some kind of weather warning, you may have more time to evacuate. But many disasters are so damaging because they're sudden. At a moment's notice, you may need to flee your home to find new shelter because of:
- Earthquakes
- Wildfires
- Tornadoes or hurricanes
- Tsunamis
- Flash floods
- Mudslides
- Ice storms
- Zombie apocalypse (just kidding... maybe)
Don't take three days of water with you
Though many experts recommend having a three-day supply of water at home in case of an emergency, evacuating with that amount of water can be impractical (especially if you don't have a car). The alternative is keeping a device in your go bag that can turn water from ditches, streams, ponds and other water sources into clean drinking water.
Some options are the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle ($30) or the Liberty LifeSaver ($125). Both can be clipped to the outside of a go bag so they don't take up precious room in the pockets.
Be warned, though. Many emergency filtration devices like these need to be prepped with drinking water before they can be used as a filter for yucky water. Be sure to read the directions and prep your bottle before clipping it to your go bag.
Keep an LED flashlight handy
Batteries may be in short supply in an emergency. That's why it's a good idea to put a lighting system in your go bag that can be powered by a renewable resource.
The ThorFire LED Flashlight ($24) can be powered by sunlight or a hand crank. A solar or crank flashlight that doubles as an AM/FM radio is a good choice, too.
What kind of go bag is best?
The city of Chicago, no stranger to strong storms, recommends that each member of your household have their own go bag. If you're the parent of small children, however, you can use one big bag to hold everything you all need.
Remember, the best kind of bag is one you can carry. Don't get a huge duffle bag unless you're very strong and can heft it. If you're driving, you want a bag that will fit easily in your car. You don't want one that's so big you'll have to leave one of the kids behind to take it with you.
A hiking backpack with various pockets is your best bet. Make sure it's made from a strong canvas material and has a strap that secures around your chest. This will take some of the strain off your back if you need to walk a long way.
Also, look for a pack that has a water reservoir you can fill with drinking water. These are often called camelbacks or hydration packs. A water-resistant pack can help keep your items dry within, though you can also line it with a plastic garbage bag as well.
The Sandpiper of California bugout backpack ($149) is one example.
Other emergency essentials to pack
Water and light should be at the top of your list, but there are plenty of other things you should toss in your bag:
- Nonperishable food: Meals ready to eat, aka MREs, are a popular choice, but freeze-dried items work too. Just be sure they're light; provide a lot of calories and protein; and have a shelf life of months, if not years.
- A good multitool that includes a knife, pliers, a can opener and other tools.
- Paracord, also called 550 cord, can hold up to 550 pounds and is compact, so choose it instead of regular rope.
- Carabiners: These metal loops with a spring-loaded latch have a million and one uses, like latching gear to the outside of your go bag.
- A whistle to signal others if you need help and can't yell.
- Something to start a fire with, like a lighter or matches.
- Sunscreen
- A poncho and a change of clothes.
- Your family's prescription medications for a week and copies of your prescriptions. You'll probably want to toss these in the go bag as you leave, since keeping extras in your bag will be impractical for most people.
- A small first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, painkillers and gauze.
- Personal care items such as soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products and so on. Put these items in waterproof baggies.
- Your extra house and car keys.
- A warm blanket. Put it in a plastic bag, use the hose on your vacuum to suck the air out of the bag and quickly seal it to save room.
- A recent family photo for identification purposes, also in a plastic bag, to keep it safe from moisture.
- Cash in small denominations and coins.
- A regional map and a compass so you can find your way without a phone when cell towers and GPS are down or busy, or you've run out of battery.
- Paper, pens and tape to leave messages for others.
- A dust mask.
- Copies of important documents such as insurance information, IDs, proof of address and passports, all in a waterproof plastic bag.
- Your family photos on a USB drive. This one is optional, but I like the security of knowing I have some of my family's precious memories with me.
- Pet supplies such as a leash, collapsible water bowl and food.
More resources for you
Natural disasters and storms are only becoming more severe and occurring more frequently as climate change intensifies. While the devastation of these events can be harrowing, there are many steps you can take to protect yourself, your home and your loved ones from a natural disaster. Here are some additional resources:
- How to Prep for Hurricanes, Wildfires, Storms and Other Natural Disasters
- Natural Disaster Insurance: How to Protect Your Home From Hurricanes, Wildfires and More
- Keep Your Pets Safe During a Wildfire Evacuation
- Emergency Prep: 3 Tips to Recover Important Documents After a Natural Disaster
- 16 Emergency Apps for Wildfires, Earthquakes and Other Disasters
- Handle a Blackout With Ease by Doing These 11 Things
- Tornadoes, Floods, Wildfires, Intruders: 4 Ways Your Phone Can Help in an Emergency
- Climate Change Is Intensifying Severe Weather. Take These 4 Steps to Fortify Your Home