How to be Prepared to Leave before Disaster Strikes. As we’re watching the horrific news coming out of Florida and the large number of people being pulled out of their homes with only the clothes on their backs and hopefully their pets, it’s so sad, they were not as prepared as they could have been.
When a disaster brings an entire region to its knees, and there’s no power, food, or water, you wonder how you can survive or where to go? The widespread damage is not limited to structural damage but downed electrical wires, cell phone towers, and services that won’t be functional. ATMs won’t work, so you won’t be any way to get cash to purchase needed items. Gas pumps won’t work because they also need electricity. If your home is intact and you have a generator, you won’t be able to get gas to power it.
So how can you be prepared when there is only a moment’s notice before you must leave?
Prepare or purchase a Bug Out Bag. A Bug Out Bag is “an emergency kit, disaster bag, bug-out bag (BOB), also known as a 72-hour kit, GOOD bag (get out of Dodge), personal emergency relocation kit (PERK), go-bag, survival backpack, or quick run bag (QRB) is a portable kit containing items that would help a person to survive for 72 hours during an escape or evacuation from an emergency event or disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, or flood.” (Wikipedia)
This website, “The Bug Out Bag Guide,” has a complete list of what you need to prepare a bag that will already have everything you need to leave at a moment’s notice.
Some essential items to ensure you have in your BOB are water filtering straws, purification tablets, flashlights, and an emergency radio. You will also want to include cash (small denominations), a pen, photocopies of your personal IDs, health cards, and copies of your credit cards. You will also want to have several days’ supply of your prescribed medication. Oh, don’t forget an extra change of clothes and shoes.
Disasters don’t always have to be widespread. They can be a local earthquake or even a house fire – any time when you have to leave your home fast. You can build your Bug Out Bag yourself or purchase already built bags. If you are buying one already prepared, you just need to add the items mentioned above. You’ll want to make sure you have enough for everyone.