What would you pack?
 

Same thing I pack in a Hurricane evacuation, important papers, photos, flash drives, pets and people. Though not necessarily in that order.

I have a tendency to collect things and I've been working on not going into full blown hoarder mode.

Doing the "You have 5 minutes" drill is a bit different, if all I had was 5 minutes then all the pets would get out of the house first including the snake and lizards. If there was time to grab the computer hard drives, they would go next. My quilts and fabric never even made the list, that was good for me to know.

If I had a couple of hours to pack and a car to fill, I'd be filling it with life saving stuff, sure, a couple of blankets/quilts would make the list but I'm not sure the sewing machine would... guess I need a bigger car!

Hubby had a long appointment at the endodontist the other day, they had a book of inspiring quotes that I looked through. The one that stuck with me was "The important things are not things." That's a lesson I've had to learn along with things are not memories, we can keep the memories without the things.

we had a evac order some years ago, the huge natural gas pipeline that runs across the bottom of our property blew. Animals went in, my good sewing machine, meds I hadn't taken in years, and my grubby broken down gardening shoes. I'd probably be about as useless today, except I'm sure I'd grab my Ipad and laptop. It's just stuff.

There is a website that has good info on a Bug Out Bag. It's everything you'll need in case you have to get out now. Cell phone chargers are what I always forget. I also have a hand crank electricity maker, about $30.00. I live where there are no hazards, but one never knows.

This is something we should all think about, and at least have a list of the things we need. (I don't, but I should.) My dog, a vase that belonged to my grandmother, passport, laptop computer and charger, cell phone and charger, medications, any small valuables, some clothing appropriate for the season... that's about it. I don't see my children actually wanting the paper photos, and there are too many boxes of them, so they don't make the list. I almost think it would be a relief to be rid of all the "stuff."

We live in a forest fire high risk area. CalFire recommends having a "Go Bag". BOGA (Bug Out Bag Academy) is one site that has a list and a link to buying all the items. It's recommended it be placed by an exit door. My "Go Bag" would include important documents, a week supply of medications and a list of other things to grab. Grabbing would include pet, refrigerated medications and computers. Since we might not be home when evacuation occurs, I'm thinking important documents would also be kept at another site (safe deposit box, our daughter's

Everyone should make a plan before the time a decision is needed. Know where/what and communicate your plan to family. You have to make the decision ASAP and be ready to go.

We have evacuated for previous hurricanes. Three duffel bags filled with photos and one change of clothing.

I keep a master notebook organized with important documents and papers. It would be packed first. Then enough water and snacks for everyone as the stores are already empty. I keep an emergency box filled and ready in the pantry. Supplies are checked and ready each May just in case. We could be out of here in about 30-45 minutes if needed.

As others have said, this brings home what's really important. Of course my list is very similar to everyone else's, pictures, documents, medications, etc. Fortunately all of our computer documents and pictures are automatically uploaded and backed up to the cloud. But what struck me is that I wouldn't grab my blue ribbon quilts, I'd grab the quilts I've made out of my kids' baby clothes and my husband's work shirts. <3

My important papers and photos for the most part. If time a few clothes and a tent and extra walking shoes. Everything is replaceable other than the photos and some of the important papers.

This is a touchy, touchy subject for me as friends and family members lost homes in the Camp Fire in Paradise Ca last year. Unless you have a bag that you can grab and go, just go! One of my family members barely made it out alive because she took a moment to call and tell me she was evacuating. Literally one minute longer and she would be gone, killed by smoke or flames. Only what's alive is worth trying to save. Not even your antique wedding quilt. Not even the only picture you have of great aunt Tillie. Not even your precious keepsakes or your jewelry box. Nothing but the living is worth the risk. It is horrifying how fast a fire can move, not to mention the secondary fires that start when embers from the fire land on rooftops and such. If you ever have to evacuate, just please GET AWAY from the danger.

Like petthefabric, my home is located in a designated high fire risk area. I had my home built almost 30 years ago and it wasn't until the fire 3 years ago last summer that my home was given this designation. Just mentioning that because there may be some that wonder why I would build here. Designations can change over time and for various reasons. Some of you who never experienced flooding or tornadoes in your area but now do will understand.

I have had to be ready to evacuate several times over the years, and did actually have to leave when the last fire occurred 3 years ago. But I was ready. My home has an all purpose room located right before I exit into my garage. This is where I keep the cat carriers, pet food, emergency food and water, important papers and receipts, MacBook, and a few other emergency supplies. In addition, I always keep a backpack in my car with extra clothes, water, food and emergency supplies. We have earthquakes too!

The cats got "packed" first. Then the rest. I did take a few extra clothes because I was told it might be a few days before I could return. And one painting I painted years ago which I love. But I had time for this. If not, it would have only been the cats and myself. I take new pictures and a video every year of the interior and exterior of my home, which will help if anything does happen and I needed proof of loss for insurance purposes. My attitude is everything can be replaced. It's just stuff.

One thing I will add, I am an organized and tidy person. I can't imagine what it would be like to have to evacuate if I were not. There just is no time to be running around a house, up and down stairs, trying to locate things you might need. Herding cats is bad enough and I have 3! Lol!

Many years ago I learned exactly what I’d take if I had to get out with no warning or time to pack/plan.. We were living in the city at the time and there was a furniture factory across the alley directly behind out house. I opened the back door to let my dog out into the back yard and realized I couldn’t see anything due to smoke. Shut the back door, put a leash on my dog and ran out the front with her in tow. From there I could see the factory was on fire and burning embers were falling on the roof of my house and also my neighbors. Every house on that block was more than 100 years old and made of wood. Things did not look good. While standing there I watched my neighbors running back into their houses to rescue items. I thought about our keepsakes, musical instruments, pictures and artwork we’d made or that was made by friends and decided they were: memories, things I could replace, more memories, opportunities to make more creative stuff etc. I’d already gotten the two things that couldn’t be replaced out of the house, my dog and me. Long story short, the fire was put out, our roofs hosed down, little smoke damage, more damage to factory, but we lucked out.

If I had more time, I’d include prescriptions and important papers etc.

Rob

My cat, important papers that I have in one place in the safe, water, cell phone. We have a case of water by the back door and the cat's extra liter box and his stuff including the crate on top of the water. If there was time I'd grab some clothing and protein bars, any food item in the pantry that can be eaten on it's on with no food prep. I always keep baby wipes and toilet paper in the car.

Having lost everything I had once it still causes a twinge of hurt now and then. Of course it's all just stuff but it was my stuff. Ever since I haven't attached myself to items that would cause me more hurt to lose it. The few things I do cherish are few and easy to have ready to be taken to safety.

After the 7.1 earthquake here in Alaska in Nov 2018, everyone was talking about remember the "P's"
People
Pets
Phone
Perscriptions
Papers
And pretty much in that order. Basically, if you haven't planned for it in advance and time is very short, just get out!

My sister was close to the big fires in Oregon last summer. She said the had 3 levels. First was watch and wait. Second was pack and be ready. She said they packed their trailer and pointed it towards the road. And the third was leave now. They left before the last call. They were ok in the end except it rained ashes.
I think I should check out those sites on bug out bags. Can’t imagine needing to leave quick but you never know. I’m very slow. Would probably forget some important stuff. Some of those coastal areas do evacuate. Sometimes a few times a year.

If I had time, I would grab the quilts I have made. I can't replace the quilts with the memories I have made, as the fabrics are no longer available. Insurance can replace the other items.

When we had time to pack we threw, papers, pictures and quilts in our motor home. If you are told to go now, go with everything living. Do not go back in. Too many bad stories.

When I grew up in So Cal, we had fires regularly. My mom had it down to a science. When the fires got close, she'd spend all day packing the back of the station wagon. Pictures, important papers, clothes, whatever. When hurricanes come thru here I pack a hurricane box of things I want to save. However, mine is more my laptop and back up (all my pictures are there), papers, some artwork. My machines are put in large plastic bags along with some of my wearable art stuff I've made and some fabrics. We aren't that close to the coast so I rarely have to do that, thank God.

If you do need to leave and have time to get ready, you might take your prescription bottles with your meds instead of only a week’s worth of medicine. We live on the Gulf Coast of Texas and have had too many occasions to evacuate for hurricanes, My husband is a pharmacist and having a labeled vial demonstrates that the patient has actually taken a medicine and precisely which one with the dose. After one of the hurricanes hit our area the state agency allowed temporary rules for refilling medicines based on the prescription labels. Doctors offices, your pharmacy, and many resources are often damaged and closed for a period of time.