Copy the text of this list into your favorite note taking, list making, or database app of your choice. If you prefer paper lists, write these down in your notebook section by section.

This list is broken into color-coded sections based on the amount of time you have prior to an evacuation. 

The red list is for situations where you have 20 - 40 minutes to leave, grab the items below the red text below

The gold list is for folks who have 1-3 hours to leave, grab the items below the red text FIRST, then follow by grabbing the additional items on the gold list. 

The green list is for those of you in an evacuation warning area, or red-flag zone, you likely have time to grab additional items (in green) in addition to the items in red and yellow. These are often items that will make you more comfortable. 

40 minutes to evacuate:

Everything here should fit into backpacks for each person, try to minimize the weight by splitting items between you.

Packs should be ready in case you have to abandon your vehicle. If you own a wagon of any kind, this can allow you to carry more on foot.

Backpack

• 26 liters or larger, preferably with Hip Straps (a backpack typically used for hiking/backpacking) but any backpack will do

Essentials:

• Documents (these might be in a file together, grab that file!)

  • Tax documents

  • birth certificate

  • Marriage license 

  • Social security cards

  • Immunization records for kids and pets

  • Insurance info

  • Passports 

• Cash

• Wrench (for turning off the gas lines to your home)

• Phone

  • Charging Cable

  • Power Bank

• Flashlight and/or Headlamp

  • Batteries or charger for these

• N95, KN94 or P100 Face Masks

• Safety Goggles

• Large zip lock bag or trash bag for collecting your waste

• Hard drives and laptops 

Medicine:

• 3-5 days of medication

• Inhalers, epi-pens, or other emergency medication

Toiletries

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Tampons/Pads/Menstrual Cup

• Sunscreen

• Toilet Paper

• Hand sanitizer

• Wipes (to stay clean)

Basic First Aid Kit

• Alcohol wipes

• Antibiotic ointment

• Bandaids

• Emergency blanket (if you have one)

Clothing

I have seen folks say if you are in a hurry, just grab your hamper, as this clothing is both in season and things that you like to wear.

• Base Layers to stay warm (try to grab wool or cotton. Polyester will melt to your skin if you are caught by embers when evacuating)

• A fleece or sweatshirt

• 3-5 days of underwear

• 3-5 days of socks

• Comfortable pants with pockets 

• Put these items in a ziplock or reusable dry bag

• Comfortable walking shoes

Water

• • Two bottles (16 OZ) of water per person

Kids

• Games 

• Small toys that will bring them comfort

• Diapers

• Formula

• Snacks

• Wipes

Food (grab what you have on hand of the following)

• Energy Bars

• Electrolyte packs

• Trail Mix

• Other lightweight low or no-prep foods in your pantry

Pets

• Cat/ Dog Carrier

• (optional) Wagon for carrier

• Leash

• 3-5 Days worth of food

• Water bowl

• Aluminum Casserole Pan & litter (temporary litter box)

• Toys that will soothe (chew toys, catnip toys, what does your pet gravitate towards when anxious?)

3+ hours to evacuate

Reminder, please grab the items in the above list first and place them in a go bag. Many of these additional items below may not fit into your backpack. Most evacuations happen with a car, but be prepared to abandon your car by ensuring that anything additional here you cannot live without makes it into your pack. 

Medication:

• Allergy medicine

• Anti-nausea meds

• Pain relief meds

Toiletries:

• Travel/backpackingl Bidet (if you have one)

• Floss

• Shampoo & Conditioner

Expanded First Aid Kit:

• Whistle

• Duct Tape

• Poncho

• Multi-tool

• Tweezers

• Lip balm

• Rope/Twine

• Nail Clippers

• Moleskine or leukotape (for blisters)

• Nitrile gloves

Water:

• A full hydration pack (if you have one for hiking)

• Water treatment (not necessary in a pinch but good to have on hand)

• Sawyer water filter (for filtering water)

• Water treatment tablets

• A water tank with a spout (you might have one of these on hand in your camping gear)

Food:

These are simply additional examples of non-perishable low-cook or no-cook meals

• Instant mashed potatoes

• Tuna Packs

• Jerky

• Dried Fruit

• Canned ready-to-eat foods (like Dolmas)

• Instant soup/pasta mixes

• Peanut Butter

• Crackers or chips

• Protein powder

• Instant Ramen

• Hot Sauce (small bottle)

• Coffee/Tea

• Camping meals/MREs (if you have them)

Sentimental:

• Family photo albums or photo boxes

• Important/heirloom jewelry

Kids:

• Games

• Portable consoles (Nintendo Switch, iPad)

• Favorite/Sentimental toys

Evacuation warning area, or red-flag zone:

Emergency Info:

• NOAA Radio (if you have one, this allows you to tune into weather alerts)

Bathroom:

• Microfiber towel

• Bath towels for each person

• Body care or skincare items you need daily

Technology:

• Desktop Computers and other essential tech equipment

• Hard Drives

• Creative equipment that you use for your work

• Walkie Talkies (if you have them)

• Satellite phone (if you have one)

Kitchen:

• Small Pot

• Paper Plates

• Camping Stove or Backpacking Stove (if you have one)

• Fuel Canister for Stove

• Trash Bags

• Lighter

Comfort:

• Grab 10-15 books from your shelf with important notes or lessons that would bring you comfort in a crisis

• Lightweight Art/Knitting/Craft Supplies

• Deck of Cards

• Favorite Photos

• Tarp or Poncho

• Sleeping pad

• Pillows

• Yoga Mat

Power:

• A generator or power bank (if you have one)

• Take a video of each room in your home, open all of your drawers and cabinets and film them for insurance purposes.

• Get a full tank of gas. Never let your tank go below half empty.

• Download offline maps on your phone or purchase a paper map of your area

• Write down phone numbers of people you need to contact

If you don't have everything, that is okay. Remember done is better than perfect, I want you to simply be prepared for what to grab when disaster strikes.

The most important final thing to do is practice. Practice evacuating and gathering these items. See how long it takes.

If you take any items from your Go Bag at any point, staple or tie a sheet of paper with a list of what you took out so you can remember to add it back in when disaster strikes.

This is a digital resource designed to help folks pack and evacuate in an emergency situation. It is a living and imperfect document but its goal is to help folks know what to grab when evacuations happen. 

In Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, the protagonist Lauren Olamina, soothes her anxiety around pending disasters by researching and building a Go Bag. Reading this book inspired me to learn and research this process. This list is to share my research with as many folks as possible to help them be ready for the reality that in our climate crisis,.