Coastal residents in the United States and around the world, all know the importance of evacuating when a hurricane warning has been issued. Typically, there are several days or more to pack the necessary items and evacuate safely with all the necessary items.
Families should keep in mind that stress levels during this time are going to be very high. Children and animals are likely to be frightened and unable to communicate what they are feeling. In the case of children, explain that the family is taking a trip, don’t go into the scary details while trying to pack.
What to Pack for a Car Evacuation
Some people will evacuate their homes but choose to stay in a local shelter rather than leave by car. These people should contact the shelter to find out what items they will be required to bring. For families evacuating by car, there are no hard and fast rules for packing. However, there are some helpful tips that can make the task less taxing.
All personal papers should be in a waterproof bag or document holder – this includes social security cards, birth certificates, insurance papers, and medical documents. If preparations were made prior to hurricane season a copy of these should be on disk and stored in a safe deposit box.
- Personal Items Bag: prescriptions, first aid kit, feminine hygiene products, toiletries, baby wipes for cleanups.
- Emergency bag: Bag containing flashlights, handkerchiefs, maps, power inverter, safety reflectors, fix-a-flat, rope, insect repellent, flares, towels, weather radio, Kleenex, toilet tissue, rain jacket and Ziplock bags.
- An activity bag or games to occupy children.
- Pet food and water and all medical records for the pet.
- Bottled water and snacks for drive.
- Clothing for at least a week.
- Baby formula and diapers, if necessary.
- Pillows and blankets.
These are just some of the items that should be packed. Each family is sure to think of things that they don’t want to leave behind. Expand the list to include those items.
Make the Evacuation Smooth
The day of the evacuation, make the family more at ease by putting into action a well-thought out plan. Make a list of things to do and mark them off as they are completed. This list should include:
- Turning off gas and electricity at the source.
- Empty refrigerator to keep items from spoiling.
- Move electronics to the highest place in the house if they aren’t being evacuated with the family.
- Fill the car with gas.
- Withdraw cash from bank, during a storm credit cards might not work due to electricity being out.
- Make sure someone knows the route the family is going to take.
- Plan to leave early. The roads will be crowded.
Evacuating is a time-consuming, go-nowhere-fast ordeal that saves lives and is a necessary part of life for people who live on the coast. Having a plan and knowing what steps to take can make evacuating the family go a little smoother.
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