Hurricanes usually come with tons of advanced notice and yet many people are still unprepared when the evacuation order comes in. Having a hurricane go bag will reduce the stress of an evacuation and give you some breathing room. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of go bags, sometimes referred to as bug out bags, they are bags or containers filled with everything you might need in case of an emergency and you need to evacuate your home. Go bags for different disasters will offer share some resemblance, but if you know your area is prone to a specific natural disaster, like hurricanes, then you can customize it so you have essentials that will come in handy for what you might face.
Tip: if you know your area is prone to hurricanes, make sure that you take pictures of your property every year in case you need to make an insurance claim. It is also very helpful to get all of your important documents copied onto a flash drive or get official copies to put into a waterproof document case.
Start with a waterproof bag so that your items will be protected from the weather and make it in working condition to your destination. Once you have your bag it's time to pack food and water. Make sure that you have enough food and water for your family, and any pets, for 3 days. For water, estimate one gallon per person per day. MRE’s or Meals Ready To Eat is the easiest option for food. If you pack canned food, make sure you have a manual can opener as well. You can also pack some spices in tic tac containers to make whatever food you pack more exciting.
The next thing to pack is a weather radio that has access to both local radio stations and NOAA weather stations so that you can stay up-to-date on how conditions are progressing. Opt for a radio that has a few powering options. For instance, many weather radios will be able to be charged by batteries, hand crank, and even solar power. I also suggest you look for one that can act as power bank to charge your other devices and a flashlight as well. And no matter how many powering options your radio has, always pack lots of extra batteries.
It's important to have some waterproof clothing like rain boots, ponchos, waders, and hats. I recommend you keep your rain gear right nest to your go bag so each member of your household can wear their gear upon evacuating and save space in the bag. Leave an emergency whistle for each member of your house as well, so they can put that on with their rain gear – it's a good idea to wear a whistle at all times so it's handy should you need it.
First-Aid kits are a good idea in any go bag. When choosing a first-aid kit make sure it contains enough supplies for your family size. Pack dust/mold filtering masks so that you can be safe when you return home, because there might be dust and debris around. Don't forget tin include any medications your family is currently taking as well as extra inhalers and epipens if needed. If you have family members that wear dentures, hearing aids, contacts, or any special medical devices you will need to pack to maintain them. If you have old glasses for family members, your go bag is an excellent place to store these items. In an emergency, back up items can be a life saver. Also include hygiene items like feminine hygiene products, toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, etc.
Remember earlier when I spoke about those extra batteries? Well you'll also want to pack extra cell phone and device chargers. It's also a good idea to pack some backup charging packs in case you need some juice and don't have access to electricity – which very well might be the case for a good portion of your evacuation. It's also smart to pack some leisure items to keep busy: books, games, etc. You could be away for a while and you will likely need some entertainment.
Because hurricanes can bring about flash flooding and various water hazards, it would be remiss if I didn't remind you to pack items for family members that cannot swim. You can there are a number of floatation devices, water wings for children, and rope so if need be each member of your family can grab hold ( so make sure it's long enough, test it before you pack it!). Tip: tie a knot to help them keep a good grip. Is someone falls or starts to be overcome by water, it will be easier to rescue them and to alert the family if you are all moving together and connected. Smaller members of the family can have the rope around their waists or run through a belt loop. No matter what you do, be safe and never go into water if you can avoid it during a storm.
Now that we've got the go bag essentials down, let's talk about preparing your house for a hurricane. Getting your home ready for a hurricane is fairly straightforward. Secure any furniture or lawn decorations, cover windows with plywood or plastic sheeting, and trim trees and bushes so they don’t damage the home if they fall or break. If you have precious items that you cannot take along, secure them as best as you can. Elevate items that might get caught in flood water, cover paintings or photos with plastic. Prepare as much as you can, but don’t expect to save everything from damage.
When conditions have improved you are able to return home of the shelter-in-place order has lifted, make sure you carefully and safely survey the damage. Avoid standing water, and areas that emergency services have not evaluated. If you need to use a generator, do not use it indoors and keep the area well-ventilated. Because natural disasters can leave hazardous items around, make sure you keep family members up to date on their vaccination for tetanus. If you have any family members with airway/breathing issues like asthma, apnea or emphysema make sure you have breathing treatments and rescue medications on hand.
Stay safe, stay together, and stay informed.
