EVACUATION SUPPLIES

In addition to your bug out bag and your emergency vehicle supplies (which you should always carry in your vehicle), you should have some supplies prepared in case you are forced to evacuate your home,  These are supplies that you will put in your vehicle when a disaster occurs and you think you may be ordered to evacuate or you decide it’s prudent to leave your home via your vehicle. The amount of supplies that you prepare for evacuation is at your discretion, but it is wise to take as many supplies that space allows. Following is a list of recommended supplies that you should have in your evacuation kit.  It is not all-inclusive for everyone and you should add items that you think will be helpful.  Remember that you may not be able to make your way to a designated shelter and may be forced to camp out.  Always take your bug out bag in addition to these supplies.

Components:

When assembling your evacuation supplies, keep these topics in mind

·        Medical – Be prepared to address medical emergencies.

·        Shelter – Exposure is the number one cause of death in a survival situation.  In harsh conditions, you can die of exposure in as little as three hours and you could become incapacitated long before that.  Addressing the need for shelter should be a top priority.

·        Warmth – You will need to stay warm to survive.  Dress in layers and always have a hat and gloves. 

·        Light – Being without light in the dark will subject you to additional dangers and will hamper your ability to function in a survival situation.

·        Water – A person can only survive about three days without water (depending on conditions). 

·        Food – A person can go without food for about three weeks, but you can feel the effects of going without food in as little as one day. Having food will keep your energy up and help to reduce your stress and desperation levels.

·        Cooking – Having a portable means of cooking food is a necessity.  You may not be able to have a campfire in all situations, so a portable stove is very handy. 

Bags or Containers: 

Your evacuation supplies should always be packed and ready in some sort of duffle bags or action packers that you can grab in a hurry.  Be sure you plan for the space you have available in your vehicle, allowing for passengers, pets, etc.