This week, almost half the residents of Florida received some level of evacuation order as Hurricane Milton barreled toward the “sunshine” state. While many Floridians have gotten used to preparing their homes for the torrential rain and gale-force winds that can accompany hurricane season, evacuation is a whole different ballgame. 

Imagine yourself in an evacuation situation. When your stress level is high, and danger looms, how easy will it be to figure out and collect what you need? Not so easy. 

So, let’s all take a cue from Milton and get ourselves ready for our own emergency situation… just in case. Emergencies often strike without warning, and preparation ensures you have what you need to get by if you need to evacuate or survive without access to regular services (like electricity or clean water). Being ready can also keep you calm and organized in chaotic situations. In a disaster, a little peace of mind is priceless. 

Whether it’s a natural disaster, power outage, or other emergency, having a “go bag” really makes a difference. So, let’s start there. 

What is a Go Bag? 

A go bag (sometimes called a bug-out bag) is a portable, ready-to-grab kit with the essentials you’ll need to survive for at least 72 hours if you need to leave your home suddenly. It’s designed to be light enough to carry and to contain items crucial for your safety and well-being. 

What to Pack in Your Go Bag 

Here’s a list of must-have items. You should adjust it based on your specific needs (family, pets, medical conditions, etc.):

Basic Survival Gear 

• Water: Pack bottled water or a small water filtration system. Experts suggest that you need at least 1 gallon of water per person per day. This, of course, has just rendered your bug out bag impossible to carry, so we suggest you carry 20 ounces or a liter of water and look into filtration bottles. 

• Food: Non-perishable items like energy bars, dried fruit, and canned food (don’t forget a can opener if needed!). 

• Flashlight: Preferably hand-crank or battery-operated with spare batteries. 

• Multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife: Useful for various situations like cutting, opening cans, or repairs. 

• First Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, tweezers, medical tape, and any prescription medications you or your family need. 

• Matches or Lighter: A waterproof option is ideal for starting a fire if necessary. 

• Whistle: Useful for signaling for help. 

• Emergency Blanket: Space blankets (the shiny tarp-like things that runners put around themselves after a marathon) are compact and great for retaining heat. 

• Cash: ATMs and card readers may be down, so have an envelope of cash (including small bills and change) available. 

• Duct Tape: It can repair gear, help seal windows, or be used in many improvised situations.

Personal Items 

• Extra Clothing: Lightweight, weather-appropriate clothes, including socks and undergarments. A rain poncho or jacket is a smart addition. Layers of light clothing are warmer than a big, bulky sweater (and easier to carry). 

• Personal Hygiene Items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, travel-sized soap, hand sanitizer, moist wipes, and feminine hygiene products. 

• Prescription Medications: Pack at least a week’s supply if you have chronic conditions, along with copies of your prescriptions. This may be hard to do in advance, but if you use a pill organizer and try to keep it pretty full, you’ll be able to grab it and go. 

• Copies of Important Documents: Include IDs, insurance information, medical information, and proof of address in a waterproof bag. Put these aside in advance. If you have a passport card in addition to a passport, this may be a good place to keep it. 

Communication & Navigation 

• Phone Charger & Power Bank: Keep a fully charged backup battery for your phone. 

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio: A way to receive emergency broadcasts in case your phone service goes down. 

• Maps: Printed local maps and compass in case GPS is not working. 

Other Useful Items 

• Face Masks: Especially useful for filtering dust or smoke in emergencies. 

• Plastic Bags: For keeping items dry or handling waste. 

• Entertainment: A small book, deck of cards, or other lightweight distractions can be handy during stressful waiting periods. 

Preparing for Special Needs 

• Kids: Bring extra clothes, diapers, snacks, and a comfort item like a small toy or blanket. 

• Pets: Pack food, water, bowls, waste bags, a leash, and copies of vaccination records. 

• Medical Conditions: If anyone in your household has special medical equipment or dietary needs, make sure to include these in your emergency plan. 

Where to Keep Your Go Bag 

Your go bag should be easily accessible. Store it in a place where you can quickly grab it if you need to leave your home, like near the front door, in your car, or a closet. If you have multiple family members, consider having a smaller bag for each person, especially if you have children or pets. 

Keep Your Go Bag Current 

Go bags aren’t “set it and forget it.” Review your bag at least once a year to check expiration dates on food, update medications, and adjust clothing based on the season. If you move or your family’s needs change, adjust your bag accordingly. One great rule of thumb: When the time moves ahead or back an hour, check your go bag. 

Make an Evacuation Plan 

• Create a Family Plan: Discuss evacuation routes, meeting points, and communication methods. Make sure everyone in the household knows what to do and where to meet. 

• Know Your Local Risks: Prepare for the types of emergencies common in your area—whether it’s earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, or wildfires. 

• Stay Informed and Know Where to Get Help: Sign up for emergency alerts from local government or weather services. Have a list of important phone numbers ready (family, doctors, utilities) and put a copy in your go bag. 

• Practice Drills: Run through evacuation and emergency plans a few times a year to make sure everyone in the family knows what to do. Everyone will roll their eyes, but you’ll be happy you did this. 

Your “Go Car” 

In addition to a home go bag, it’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car. Incidentally, this will prove extremely useful outside of any big disaster. Being prepared for a personal road emergency can save you time, keep you calm, and may even save your life. Your car kit should include: 

• Jumper cables* 

• Tire repair kit or spare tire* 

• A large battery powered lantern or flashlight 

• Road flares 

• Blanket (more space blankets are great to keep in the car) 

• Water 

• Basic tools and duct tape** 

*There are fairly inexpensive, portable combination tire inflator/jump starters available. They can re-charge in your car and are about the size of a hard cover book. 

**A more specialized tool you may want to keep in your car is a combination seatbelt cutter and escape hammer. It is specifically designed to help you get out of a submerged car. It’s a nice thing to have if your are doing some serious safety prep. 

When You Are Sheltering in Place 

In case of a power outage, having a few essentials on hand can make all the difference between a minor inconvenience and a stressful situation. Many folks who live in storm prone areas invest in back-up generators. But you can take some inexpensive and simple steps to get through power outages. Here’s a quick list of what to keep at home and why: 

• Flashlights, Lanterns, and Extra Batteries: Candles are romantic and vintage. But a large battery-operated lantern can light a room, and flashlights provide more focused light. Both are safer choices. Plus, with fresh batteries, you can rely on them for hours. 

• Portable Phone Chargers: Your mobile phone will likely be a main source of information, so having a fully charged portable charger (or two) is key to keeping that lifeline alive. 

• Non-Perishable Food: Think canned goods, dried fruit, and energy bars. They don’t require cooking, and they last a long time. A manual can opener is a good idea too! 

• Bottled Water: Keep a stash of bottled water handy—about one gallon per person per day for at least three days is the general rule. 

• First Aid Kit: Accidents happen, and in a power outage, it might take longer to get help. A basic first aid kit can handle small injuries or illnesses until things are back to normal. 

• Blankets and Warm Clothes: If the outage happens during colder months, you’ll want to stay warm. Layer up with blankets, sweaters, and socks to avoid a chill. 

• Battery-Powered or Crank Radio: A radio can keep you updated on weather reports and emergency alerts, especially if your phone dies or the signal is spotty. The great thing about a crank radio is that it will never run out of power as long as you can spend a minute turning the crank. 

• Cash: In a power outage, card readers and ATMs might not work. Keep some cash at home so you can purchase essentials if needed. 

• Landline: Do you still have a landline connection? What about the phone itself? An old-fashioned landline can be the only available way to connect if you are in a power outage. It’s not worth reconnecting, but disaster prep is a decent reason to stay connected. 

These basics can keep you comfortable, safe, and in control when the lights go out. Plus, they’re easy to store, so you’re ready for anything without over-prepping. 

The Bottom Line: A little preparation doesn’t make you a doomsdayer or survivalist! 

It’s normal to feel anxious about emergencies, especially when there are millions of Americans in Florida evacuating and/or without power. But these events can be a positive poke in the ribs for the rest of us, reminding us that preparation is power. Planning now means less misery and panic during an actual emergency.  

Being prepared isn’t about being paranoid — it’s about being smart.