The Ultimate Go Bag List for Natural Disasters

Climate change isn't a distant threat anymore. It's right here, affecting all of us, no matter where we live or how much money we have.

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Many of us are doing our part to fight the climate crisis, both individually and as a society. But here's the thing — we also need to prepare for climate emergencies in our area.

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First, figure out what types of disasters are most likely to hit your area. After all, what you need for a fire might be totally different from what you'd need in a flood or tornado. But there are some essential items you should always have in your emergency go bag.

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What is a Go Bag?

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When a disaster strikes, you may be too frazzled to remember what to take with you and what should you leave behind. That’s why you need a go bag.

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A go bag is a grab-and-go bag that you can pick up at the time of emergency and leave immediately. It should be easy to find and light enough to take with you. You can have one for your home, workplace, and vehicle.

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What To Put In A Go Bag?

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Here's a comprehensive list of go bag essentials that you should pack. Take time to gather these items before an emergency strikes, and remember to check and replace them periodically to ensure they haven't expired or degraded:

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Supplies

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• Backup chargers and batteries (if they're solar-powered, even better!)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight and radio
• Duct tape
• First aid kit
• Permanent marker
• Scissors
• Whistle

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Hygiene & Health

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• Hand towels
• N95 masks and/or high-quality respirator masks
• Medications
• Menstrual supplies
• Toilet paper
• Any necessary disability care items such as glasses or cane

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Food & Water

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• Three days of non-perishable food and disposable cutlery as needed
• Water bottles (one gallon of water per day per person)
• Water purification tools such as tablets and straws

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Important Resources

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• Cash in small bills
• Important documents (insurance papers, identification)
• Physical list of emergency contact names, addresses, and phone numbers
• Physical map of your area with exit routes marked

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If you have kids, you would also want to take some comfort items such as toys, stuffed animals, or headphones.

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In situations like these, your pets are entirely dependent on you. So it’s equally important to have a go bag for them. Here’s a list of go bag essentials for pets:

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• Bowls
• Carrier for Small Pets
• Foot Protection
• ID Collar
• Leash
• Medications
• 3 days of non-perishable food (wet food is best for hydration)

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When disaster strikes, you may only have time to grab your go bag and dash. If you have a bit of time and space, you may want to consider packing up printed photos and small sentimental items. If you don’t have these on display in your home, you can pack up these precious items in a box next to your go bag. 

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Finally, disasters can affect our homes and belongings in unpredictable ways. You may need to file an insurance claim afterward. To ensure a smooth claims process, take photos and videos of all valuable items in your home — including those stored away in drawers. Document everything thoroughly before disaster strikes.