The Ultimate Disaster Prep Checklist

My childhood was spent in Florida, so I can remember hurricane warnings. I remember my parents boarding up the windows and stocking up on supplies. But we moved to western North Carolina when I was twelve. A place I always understood to be safe from hurricanes. I can tell you that none of us were prepared for the disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene. Nobody expected a hurricane to penetrate through our mountains, and cause the enormous amount of destruction that it had. In the aftermath, I spent some time volunteering in my hometown, but I felt guilty having a job that I could go back to when so many people lost their homes, and places of work. I wanted to do something to help, but was stuck working a flight far from the suffering in my town. So, A coworker and I spent an entire flight to Las Vegas creating a list that could better prepare ourselves and others in the event of another emergency. I truly hope this helps whoever stumbles upon it. Please feel free to print it, and give it to your loved ones so that they can be prepared as well.

If bad weather is expected immediately do the following just in case:

– Go to the grocery store for water, non perishable foods, and other essential supplies.

– Fill a bath tub with water

– Fill your gas tank in your car

– Address maintenance issues with your car (brakes, fluids, check engine light. etc.)

– Go to an ATM and have some cash on hand.

– Clean your house! (Why?) 1.) Dishes and laundry should be done before you lose power/water. 2.) You will know where everything is when power is out. 3.)You will want to be in a clean environment if you are stuck)

– Have a little extra of everything (food/ water) in case your loved ones have nothing and evacuate to your place.

-Keep a fire safe/waterproof bag of important documents in your house. This should contain Birth certificates, social security cards, marriage license, important/recent family photos, Special family recipes that have been passed down, important passwords, important phone numbers (loved ones, work, school, health insurance #, and home insurance # WITH your policy number)

-Keep 2 buckets in your home for emergency water outages. One you will place a trash bag inside for poop. (Rather than wasting good water flushing a toilet, just take the trash bag out once it fills up some) The other bucket will be for pee, just dump outside.

-Know the emergency plan for your children’s schools. Where do they go, and where can you pick them up?

-Establish 3 meeting spots with loved ones if you are unable to contact.

1. An area near the home in the event of a fire

2. Another in the region in case everyone is scattered

3. Another out of town should your family have to evacuate separately.

-If conditions are getting worse write your name and phone number on child’s arm with permanent marker

-Have a “go-bag” packed, ready, and accessible at ALL times with essential supplies in case you have to flee.

-Make sure your house and car are also stocked with emergency prep at all times. Check expiration dates twice a year (example- first day of spring and fall) then use and replace items in all 3 places.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR “GO BACKPACK/DUFFEL BAG?

– [ ] Small first aid kit (Think something like this)

– [ ] Medicine, pain killers, and prescriptions

– [ ] Flashlight (like these little guys)

– [ ] Water bottles

– [ ] $100 small bills per family member

– [ ] MRE’s and snacks (Here is a link to buy a box)

– [ ] Lighter/matches

– [ ] Change of clothes

– [ ] Jacket

– [ ] Shoes

– [ ] Toothbrush

– [ ] Travel size tooth paste

– [ ] Travel size shampoo

– [ ] Soap

– [ ] Hand sanitizer (Here’s a pack of six to distribute)

– [ ] Pen and paper/journal

– [ ] Permanent marker

– [ ] N-95 masks (In case you lost your stash from covid days)

– [ ] Phone charger

– [ ] Solar powered charger (Found on Amazon)

– [ ] Plastic utensils

– [ ] Hair ties and travel size hairbrush

– [ ] Utility knife (This one can even break glass and cut seatbelts!)

– [ ] Playing cards

– [ ] Coloring books and coloring pencils (crayons may melt)

– [ ] Trash bag

– [ ] Whistle (to signal for help)

– [ ] Baby wipes

– [ ] Menstrual products

– [ ] Collapsible water bowl for pet (These are cheap and come in multiple colors!)

– [ ] Copy of important documents

WHAT SHOULD BE STOCKED IN YOUR HOUSE?

– [ ] Cans and non-perishable foods

– [ ] MRE’s (You can buy a big box of them here!)

– [ ] Water (one gallon per person/per day 3 days minimum)

– [ ] flashlights for multiple rooms (We used this one during Helene and it can light up an entire room!)

– [ ] Batteries

– [ ] Matches/lighters

– [ ] Candles

– [ ] Generator (This one is rated well, and can power the whole house!)

– [ ] Portable Charging block (Courtney uses this one from Amazon in the pink color!)

– [ ] Toilet paper

– [ ] Lysol wipes

– [ ] Gallon jugs

– [ ] Gas jugs (Hard to come by during emergencies get yours here!)

– [ ] Gun/defense weapon

– [ ] First aid kit (including eye drops in case of fire and anti-fungal cream in case of being in water too long with flooding)

– [ ] Trash bags

– [ ] 2 Buckets

– [ ] Chain saw

– [ ] Rope (if in a 2 story house have some upstairs in case of fire)— (Here is a second option that’s an actual rope ladder)

– [ ] Shovel (Amazon’s choice)

– [ ] Tools (Here’s a good set)

– [ ] Paper plates

– [ ] Paper towels

– [ ] Hand sanitizer

– [ ] Wipes

– [ ] Pet food

– [ ] Battery powered radio (This one is super cheap!)

– [ ] Walkie Talkies (These work within a mile radius of each other!)

– [ ] Grill (This one is well rated!)

– [ ] Wood

– [ ] Vinegar (non chemical way to clean dishes)

– [ ] Gas masks (Where can I find these? Right here!)

– [ ] Aluminum foil and pans for grilling

– [ ] can opener (A must have!)

– [ ] Yeti cooler (Keep your food cool!)

– [ ] Rubbing alcohol

– [ ] Fire proof/ water proof bag with important documents (We are buying this one ASAP!)

WHAT SHOULD BE KEPT IN YOUR CAR?

– [ ] jumper cables (Get yours here!)

– [ ] Jack (This is a best-seller on amazon)

– [ ] Spare tire

– [ ] Air pump (For your tires)

– [ ] Phone chargers

– [ ] MRE (one per family member)

– [ ] Plastic utensils

– [ ] Napkins

– [ ] Gas jug

– [ ] First aid kit

– [ ] Rope

– [ ] Flash light

– [ ] Jacket (Courtney loves this one! It’s good for multiple weather conditions)

– [ ] Poncho

– [ ] N-95 Masks

– [ ] Water

– [ ] Hand sanitizer

– [ ] Deodorant

– [ ] Emergency $20

– [ ] White rag for signaling

– [ ] Whistle

– [ ] Blanket

– [ ] Paper maps

– [ ] Ice scraper

– [ ] Change of clothes/shoes

– [ ] Collapsible water bowl for pet (These come in handy in daily life traveling with your pet as well)

*Disclaimer* Amazon affiliate links have been placed in this blog post that will provide us with a small commission if you choose to buy the product when you follow the link. These are products we have selected specifically, because we believe they will help you.