Good
- Emergency pre-plan – where will you meet, how will you communicate
- Full tank of gas, always run on top half, you will have to fill it sometime
- Pre-arranged fallback driver if you are unable to drive. Set it up now7
- Two 24-pack cases of bottled water
- Two 12-packs of Cliff energy bars or equivalent
- Prescribed medications8, EpiPens, inhalers, insulin & cooler, etc., CPAP, COPD oxygen supply, know where they are and be sure to bring them. Also, Tylenol & Ibuprofen.
- Back-up power9 for electrical medical devices
- Three-day supply of all of the above
- Water purification tablets like these
- Local and state maps (paper)
- Matches (waterproof) or grill lighter
- Head lamp for each person
- Spare phone charging cord – Your car is your biggest charging power bank
- Documents10 Copies – birth certificate, State ID, marriage, Passport, contact lists, etc. Contained in a simple waterproof sleeve/baggie
- Toiletries – Comb, brush, toothbrush and paste, razor, soap, feminine supplies, lotion, Chapstick, sunscreen, bug repellent.
- First Aid Kit
- Spigot Water Key – to gain access to commercial water spigots
- Hand wipes
- Consider pet needs
- 30 Gallon Trash bag (you’d be surprised)
- Two 10’x10’ plastic drop cloths – one as a tarp, second as a rain cover
- Three-person tent11
- Inflatable Queen Mattress12, Air mattress with battery powered blower, or One Sleeping Pad w/ foot pump13 each
- Paracord – 50ft (Heavy-duty, lightweight rope) for everything!
- Pocket knife
- Light-weight work gloves
- Masks – (Yeah, I know)
- One beat-up but durable backpack each (You don’t want a Prada backpack at the shelter)
- You may want to substitute a medium, durable, pull-behind suitcase
Better
- All items included under Good
- Fleece Bag – This is a very light, zippered sleeping blanket
- 10’x10’ tarp and paracord for sleeping on or use as a rain cover. A tarp can be made into a floored tent
- Complete clothing change – durable, comfortable (Think overnight shelter comfortable)
- Comfortable shoes, in case you are stuck in heels or dress shoes
- Metal utensils and can opener, key chain p38 can opener
Betterer
- All items included under Good & Better
- Water filter: Berkey Sports Bottle, Life Straw, or similar
- 72 hr. Dehydrated food kit like this, times two
- Backpacking gas stove, and gas canister or mess kit, gas stove & cookware
- Upgraded fleece bag or similar14
- FRS (Family Radio Service) two-way radios w/ NOAA weather channel
- Small Journal and pencil – This is also a good location for contact, account, logons, passwords, cc. etc.
- A portable charger power bank like this.
- Cash, $100 in small bills per traveler
- Collapsible Water Containers: Lightweight, foldable containers allow you to collect and store additional water as needed.
- Hand and Body Warmers: Chemical hand warmers or heating pads are small and effective.
- A three-person tent for two people and their gear, lightweight, like this.
- Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Radio: To receive emergency broadcasts and updates.
- Multipurpose tool
Assembling and Maintaining Your Kit
- Storage: Pack your items in a sturdy, easy-to-carry bag such as a backpack or duffel bag. Consider waterproof containers.
- Accessibility: Store your kit in an easily accessible location and ensure every household member knows where it is.
- Regular Updates: Check your kit every six months. Replace expired food, water, medications, and batteries.
- Practice: Review and practice your family’s emergency plan and familiarize everyone with the kit contents.
Resource Links
- Ready.gov, “Basic Disaster Supplies Kit”
- American Red Cross, “Survival Kit Checklist”
- CDC, “Building an Emergency Kit”
- FEMA, “Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness”
- ChurchofJesusChrist.org “Emergency Preparedness”
Footnotes
7 Do not look for others to gather these items for you upon arrival. Disasters wait for no one. Organize into one container now and make a list of daily use items to be included, for quick reference
8 You might consider a four-day supply of all necessary medications. Do not mix them into the same bottle. Keep an empty bottle of each and add a four-day supply of that item only, and follow suit with the balance of medications.
9 You must consider the possibility that you may not have access to power for your medical device. This listing of products is for reference only. Your device is likely unique, and you will have to put forth effort to find a matching power supply. Keep in mind that some devices, i.e., CPAP can be very specific on their power cord, and their next version of the device will likely be different as well, pushing you to buy a NEW battery.
10 Not all documents can be listed here, as we reach a certain age, our circumstances become unique. Legal docs granting powers of attorney are only effective if you have certified copies in your possession. Formal docs, Medicare, SSN, Prescription Coverage, marriage certificate, even if spouse has passed, may grant you access to other government resources. List of medical doctors’ phones and addresses from whom you are or might receive care, etc. Have it now, so it will be available later. The person who is the most prepared and least work usually goes to the head of the line.
11 Determine if you can sleep in the open and under a tarp. If not, or you just don’t want to, get the tent; a three-person tent is big enough for you and your gear.
12 You are going to want an air mattress, either in a shelter or on the ground. Decide if you want electric or battery powered, or a foot pump
13 This is a great compact alternative, 4”x 10”, 1.5 pounds, two separate pads button together for a large single pad
14 If the emergency being experienced allows for car travel, then throw in two sleeping bags good to 32 degrees