The Top Go-Bag Supplies To Have Ready In An Emergency

We all understand that a hurricane, flood, wildfire, or earthquake could require us to evacuate our homes, but are you prepared for what comes next? Due to the unpredictable nature and destructive power of natural disasters, an evacuation may last days or even weeks, and access to food, water, and emergency services could be limited. Considering the increasing frequency of these events (The Red Cross tracked 24 weather and disaster events in the US in 2024, totaling 568 deaths) disaster preparedness is more important than ever. To ensure you and your family are as prepared as possible for this scenario, a well-stocked, easily accessible go-bag is crucial.

A go-bag — also called a "bug-out bag" — is essentially a backpack, duffel bag, or small rolling suitcase stocked with enough emergency supplies to last three days (or 72 hours), allowing you to evacuate quickly and be well-prepared to face disaster-related challenges. While a go-bag is similar to a home emergency kit designed for sheltering in place — kept in a storage bin or plastic tub — they each serve a distinct purpose. Stephanie Fox, media relations lead of The Red Cross encourages everyone to have both types of emergency preparedness kits. "These kits should accommodate your unique needs as an individual or family, rather than planning for a specific type of hazard or emergency," she explained. This way you'll be prepared for anything that may come up, and be able to calmly, quickly, and effectively handle a variety of scenarios.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Alex Rennie.