How to Pack a Go Bag for Climate Disasters

mood change - fueled raw disasters , from wildfires to deluge , are affecting more American language every year . Many people are caught off guard by emergencies in their community , but there are way to prepare that can aid you protect your life and health when the worst happens .

One direction crucial step is to have anemergency go traveling bag , or go kit . This is typically a haversack or duffle bag that is filled with essential for outride safe if you have to promptly leave your home . These bags usually admit humble first aid kits , water , personal hygiene items , batteries , a radio , flashlights , copies of crucial documents , and nonperishable food . Some company sell ready - made go bags that let in a lot of these essentials , like thisone on Amazonor thisfamily go bag . Many of these ready - made kits hold enough supplies for 48 to 72 hours , and they range in price from about $ 50 for one person to more than $ 300 for a kinfolk .

What you ’ll need in your go bag depends on where you live and the case of catastrophe you ’re probable to present . Here ’s our guide to making sure your outfit is well stocked . Scroll to the last for a checklist .

People walk down a flooded street as they evacuate their homes after the area was flooded during Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas.

People walk down a flooded street as they evacuate their homes after the area was flooded during Hurricane Harvey on 21 April 2025 in Houston, Texas.Photo: Joe Raedle (Getty Images)

Things to consider now, before an emergency

Planning ahead could mean the difference between safely evacuate or being strand away from habitation with no supplies . “ The just time to prepare for the next disaster is when the current one is ending , ” Jeannette Sutton , a catastrophe and risk communication expert at the University of Albany , told Earther .

Sutton said people should discourse likely parking brake and excreting design with friends , families , and neighbour . have a tentative plan and some supplies can make a huge dispute in overall wellness and safety . She suggest bear the information written out and on the electric refrigerator , where it ’s easy for everyone in the family to see .

Mariel Fonteyn , the director of U.S. emergency response at wellness nonprofitAmericares , state people often block to grab their medical selective information . If someone arrive at a tax shelter without accurate information about their prescription , including drug names and dose , it will be hard for emergency worker to get them the medicament they call for — which can be dangerous for anyone , but especially for someone who is inveterate ill . Fonteyn suggest taking pic of the selective information on ethical drug medication bottles .

A Red Cross “ready to go” preparedness kit.

A Red Cross “ready to go” preparedness kit.Photo: Red Cross (Other)

“ If people can afford it , have a seven - day provision of that medicine on hand , ” she said . “ That ’s actually one of the bad needs that we see after disasters , because food for thought gets brought in , piss gets brought in , but prescription drug medical specialty can be much voiceless . ”

Fonteyn also recommends finding room in the old bag for solace items , including a deck of posting or a child ’s pet plaything . “ In shelters , particularly for evacuate shelters , it ’s really deadening . You ’re just sitting around wait for entropy and waiting to go home , ” she said . “ bundle something to do . ”

If your home is at risk from flooding

If you have to allow for an orbit during or after hard rain , rainwater poncho and rain boots will help you stay dry . If possible , keep extra plastic bags on psyche so that you may enwrap important document and electronics to stave off water damage , especially if you have to wade through H2O or evacuate by sauceboat .

A go cellular phone is crucial during all parking brake , so to avoid water damage , consider adding a waterproof headphone pouch to your go handbag . If you ’re carry important documents like birth certificates and the deed to your household , consider storing them in awaterproof pouchas well .

If your home is at risk from wildfires

If you experience in or near an area that is has experience wildfires , carryextra maskswith you and other form of face , eye , and pelt protection . If you have raw eyes , or fear that you ’ll have to be near a lot of dope , lend a brace ofprotective gogglesto your go outfit . Pack a alteration of clothes , because the getup you evacuate in may become unsporting if you are exposed to a great deal of smoke .

When leaving , endeavor to have at least two evacuation route . Wildfires can disseminate apace and convert commission , so it ’s best to have a backup escape route if one becomes insecure .

If you live in a colder climate

If you live somewhere that get cold — or even just chilly — add a waterproof poncho to your bag . This will keep your wear drier in case of pelting or C , which will in bout keep you warmer . regard tally additional gloves , socks , and plastic bags . The bags can be layered with socks in especially cold weather to keep your feet warm and dry .

Add hired hand warmers and foot warmers , too . you may buy large gang online or at many local pharmacies . If there ’s blank space in your go old bag , bring a modest blanket and a perspirer for extra warmness .