Picture this: It’s the middle of the night. The power is out. It’s pitch-black and cold. You are sick with the flu, and there is pounding at your door. The firefighter says, “Evacuate now … you have sixty seconds.” 

    What do you do? It happened to us, and because I was partially prepared for an emergency, my husband and I were in our car in less than a minute. Mistakes were made; lessons were learned.

    Global warming is resulting in more frequent and devastating climate disasters. The best protection is to make a plan and practice being ready. Pack a Go Bag for each family member, which can be a backpack, duffel, roller bag, or suitcase. Prepare pet packs. Know exactly where important basics are located so you can seize them in seconds. Keep a small emergency kit in every car, and the family Go Bags in a closet closest to the cars. Leave with only one vehicle. Evacuations can last hours, days, or longer. 

Preparation prerequisites 

• Sign up for emergency notifications at https://www.nixle.com.
• Have headlamps available. 
• Learn how to open automatic gates and garages manually.
• Create a flash drive with updated copies of passports, driver’s licenses, credit cards, insurance documents, important papers, and contacts to keep in your Go Bag.
• Store mementos, heirlooms, picture books, or irreplaceable items near your Go Bag or in an area where they are quickly retrievable.
• Make signs that say “Evacuated” and “Need help.” Keep these with your Go Bag with a roll of tape to add to your door.
• Know your neighbors.
• Practice evacuation routes and know where to go.

Go Bag essentials

• First Aid kit
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Portable Emergency Radio 
• Duplicate chargers for phones, tablets, and computers
• Flash Drive with important document copies
• Work gloves
• Warm gloves
• Towelettes
• Towel
• Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Blanket
• Walking shoes
• Socks
• Warm jacket
• Peanut butter
• Honey
• Protein Bars
• Personal hygiene kit including soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste
• Medications
• Matches
• Candle
• Eating utensils and plates
• Breathing masks (NIOSH N95) 
• Clothing change
• Sunglasses 
• Reading Glasses
• Extra set of keys to home, office, etc.
• Cash
• Toilet Paper

Last minute necessities to grab

• Computer or tablet with cables
• Backup drives
• Cell Phone
• Wallet
• Purse
• Glasses
• Keys
• Pets

    Natural disasters know no boundaries. When a first responder instructs you to evacuate, listen and obey. 

    What were the lessons learned in our emergency? Because of the power outage, my husband couldn’t find his wallet, keys, phone, glasses, or tablet in the darkness. He escaped without them. I ran out the door barefoot. Fortunately, my gardening clogs were stashed under a bench on the front steps, saving my feet!

    Be prepared for anything. Wear shoes. Stay calm, and go, go, go!