Bug Out Bags

A hurricane bug out bag is a portable evacuation kit containing essential supplies for one person.

At Hurricane Bug Out, we do not treat it as a wilderness-survival backpack. Most hurricane evacuations end at a hotel, public shelter, friend’s house, family member’s home, or another community outside the affected area.

Your bag should help you:

• Leave home without searching for essential items
• Carry identification and important documents
• Keep medications and medical supplies accessible
• Maintain communication and navigation
• Handle evacuation delays
• Stay reasonably comfortable during an unexpected overnight stay
• Manage a power or water interruption
• Continue functioning if you become separated from your vehicle or larger supplies

Your bug out bag is one part of a larger preparedness system. Household supplies remain at home. Additional water, food, tools, and equipment can travel in the vehicle. The bag protects the essentials that should remain with you.

A bag may be useful during a planned hurricane evacuation, but it can also help during emergencies that provide much less warning.

Possible situations include:

• Mandatory or voluntary evacuation
• Storm-surge threat
• Flooding
• Structural damage
• Fire before or after a hurricane
• Extended utility outage
• Medical evacuation
• Apartment or condominium evacuation
• Hazardous-material incident
• Temporary relocation after the storm
• An unexpected overnight stay away from home

Follow instructions from emergency officials. A packed bag helps you move efficiently, but it does not determine whether you should stay or evacuate.

Before adding an item, ask what problem it solves.

A useful hurricane evacuation bag should help you:

• Stay hydrated during travel
• Eat without depending on restaurants
• Take required medication
• Prove your identity
• Contact family and receive alerts
• Navigate without reliable cellular service
• Handle darkness and power outages
• Stay dry and change clothing
• Manage basic hygiene
• Treat minor injuries
• Protect important information
• Keep children, older adults, or pets supplied
• Reach a safe destination

If an item does not support a realistic evacuation need, it may belong in your vehicle kit or household supplies instead of your backpack.

Water is essential, but it is also heavy. One gallon weighs more than eight pounds, so carrying several days of water in one backpack may be unrealistic.

Pack enough water for immediate travel, then carry additional household water in the vehicle when evacuating by car.

Consider including:

• Filled reusable water bottle
• Sealed bottled water
• Collapsible water container
• Electrolyte drink mix
• Water appropriate for medication
• Additional water for children or medical needs
• Pet water when applicable

A portable water filter may provide an additional option for some freshwater sources, but it should not replace stored drinking water. Most portable filters do not remove salt, fuel, chemicals, or every contaminant that may be present in hurricane floodwater.

Never plan to drink floodwater.

Choose food that is compact, familiar, and easy to eat without cooking.

Possible items include:

• Protein or energy bars
• Trail mix
• Crackers
• Nut or seed butter
• Dried fruit
• Shelf-stable meals
• Ready-to-eat tuna or chicken pouches
• Infant food when needed
• Food appropriate for medical diets
• Pet food
• Manual can opener when required
• Eating utensils
• Napkins and waste bags

Avoid filling the bag with unfamiliar survival food that nobody has tasted. Account for allergies, dietary restrictions, medication requirements, and Florida heat.

Check expiration dates throughout hurricane season.

Pack clothing that can handle heat, rain, strong air conditioning, and an unexpected overnight stay.

Consider including:

• Lightweight change of clothing
• Extra underwear and socks
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
• Hat
• Work gloves
• Warm layer for heavily air-conditioned shelters
• Sleep clothing
• Small quick-drying towel
• Spare face covering
• Clothing appropriate for infants or children

Place clothing inside a waterproof bag or packing cube. Wet clothing adds weight and becomes difficult to use.

Avoid packing too many outfits. Additional clothing can travel in the vehicle or larger luggage.

Medication is one of the most important reasons to prepare the bag early.

Include:

• Prescription medication
• Written medication list
• Dosage instructions
• Pharmacy and prescribing-provider information
• Basic first-aid kit
• Bandages and gauze
• Antiseptic supplies
• Medical tape
• Pain or fever medication
• Allergy medication
• Personal medical supplies
• Glasses or contact-lens supplies
• Hearing-aid batteries
• Medical-device accessories
• Emergency medical information

Keep medications in their original labeled containers when possible. Refill prescriptions as early as permitted and discuss extended emergencies with your medical provider.

Create a safe transportation plan for refrigerated medication. Keep critical medication accessible instead of burying it at the bottom of the bag.

You may need identification, insurance information, medical records, reservations, or payment methods during an evacuation.

Protect copies of:

• Driver’s license or other identification
• Health-insurance information
• Homeowners or renters insurance
• Flood and windstorm insurance
• Auto-insurance information
• Medication list
• Emergency contacts
• Evacuation destination
• Hotel or shelter information
• Pet vaccination records

Important account and policy numbers

Also consider:

• Cash in small denominations
• Credit or debit card
• Spare vehicle and home keys
• Written contact numbers
• Secure digital backups

Use a waterproof document pouch. Do not place every original document in the bag unless it needs to travel with you. Securely stored copies can reduce the damage caused by a lost or stolen bag.

Cellular networks, charging stations, and internet service may become unreliable.

Pack or prepare:

• Fully charged phone
• Charging cable
• Spare charging cable
• Wall charger
• Vehicle charger
• Charged power bank
• Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
• Earbuds or headphones
• Written emergency contacts
• Paper map
• Downloaded offline maps
• Primary evacuation route
• Alternate evacuation route
• Destination address
• Permanent marker and small notebook

Enable emergency alerts before the storm. Designate an out-of-area contact and make sure that person knows your destination and expected route.

Text messages may go through when cellular networks are too congested for voice calls.

Do not depend on a phone flashlight as your only source of light.

Consider including:

• Compact flashlight
• Headlamp
• Spare batteries
• Rechargeable lantern
• Charged power bank
• Short extension cable
• Compact power strip
• Required charging adapters

A headlamp is particularly useful because it leaves both hands available for carrying bags, helping children, controlling pets, or handling equipment.

Avoid candles during evacuations and power outages. Open flames create an unnecessary fire risk.

Pack enough personal supplies to manage travel delays and an unexpected stay away from home.

Possible items include:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Wet wipes
• Menstrual products
• Deodorant
• Prescription hygiene products
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• N95 or similar protective masks
• Disposable gloves
• Trash bags
• Resealable plastic bags
• Small roll of paper towels
• Infant diapers and supplies
• Incontinence supplies when needed

Use travel-size containers where practical. Protect liquids so a leak cannot damage medication, documents, or electronics.

Carry tools that serve a realistic purpose and that you know how to use.

Useful options may include:

• Whistle
• Compact multitool
• Small roll of duct tape
• Work gloves
• Emergency blanket
• Waterproof matches or lighter
• Seat-belt cutter and window-breaking tool
• Small amount of cord
• Resealable bags
• Permanent marker
• Compact sewing or repair kit
• Copies of emergency contact information

Keep sharp tools protected. Review applicable laws and shelter rules before carrying defensive items or equipment that may be restricted.

A backpack should not become a toolbox. Larger tools and recovery equipment generally belong in the vehicle.

Comfort items are not frivolous when an evacuation lasts longer than expected.

Consider packing:

• Earplugs
• Sleep mask
• Inflatable travel pillow
• Lightweight blanket
• Playing cards
• Small book
• Quiet activity for children
• Familiar comfort item
• Spare headphones
• Necessary sleep equipment

Public shelters can be crowded, brightly lit, noisy, and cold. A few compact comfort items can make it easier to rest and make good decisions.

A child’s bag should be appropriate for the child’s age, size, and ability.

Possible items include:

• Identification information
• Parent or guardian contact information
• Medication
• Change of clothing
• Snacks and water
• Diapers and wipes
• Formula and feeding supplies
• Comfort item
• Quiet activity
• Hearing protection
• Small flashlight
• Current family photograph

Do not give a child a bag that is too heavy. Adults should carry critical medication, documents, and emergency supplies.

Adjust the bag for mobility, sensory, cognitive, and medical requirements.

Consider including:

• Medication and medication list
• Medical-provider information
• Mobility-device supplies
• Spare hearing-aid batteries
• Glasses
• Communication cards
• Medical-device chargers
• Backup power
• Incontinence supplies
• Easy-to-open food
• Written care instructions
• Emergency contact information
• Copies of relevant medical documents

Do not assume that a shelter or hotel will have specialized supplies available. Contact medical, oxygen, dialysis, or home-health providers before a storm threatens.

Pet supplies can be divided between the bag, carrier, and vehicle, but essential items should remain accessible.

Prepare:

• Leash and harness
• Collar with identification
• Carrier or crate
• Food and water
• Collapsible bowls
• Medication
• Vaccination records
• Veterinary information
• Waste bags
• Litter supplies
• Cleaning supplies
• Bedding or comfort item
• Current photograph
• Pet-friendly destination informationLabel carriers with the owner’s name, telephone number, destination, and an out-of-area contact.

The backpack should fit the person carrying it and the supplies that genuinely need to remain with that person.

Look for:

• Comfortable shoulder straps
• Adjustable chest strap
• Supportive hip belt for heavier loads
• Durable zippers
• Reinforced seams
• Water-resistant material
• Rain cover or waterproof liner
• Multiple compartments
• Easy access to medication and documents
• External water-bottle pockets
• Comfortable back panel
• Reflective detail when appropriate

Do not choose a bag based only on capacity or appearance. Lay out the required supplies first, remove unnecessary items, and then select a bag that holds the remaining equipment comfortably.

A traditional backpack may not work for every person. A rolling bag, medical bag, waist pack, or smaller personal kit may be more appropriate for someone with limited strength or mobility.

There is no single correct weight for every person.

Age, health, strength, mobility, heat, distance, terrain, and medical needs all affect what can be carried safely. A percentage-of-body-weight formula can be a rough reference, but it should not override actual comfort or medical guidance.

To test the bag:

• Put on the clothing and shoes you expect to wear.
• Adjust every strap.
• Walk with the bag for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
• Try stairs if they may be part of your evacuation.
• Practice getting into and out of the vehicle.
• Check for pressure on the shoulders, back, hips, and knees.
• Confirm that you can lift the bag without assistance.
• Remove items that do not justify their weight.

If the bag is difficult to carry during a calm practice walk, it will not become easier in Florida heat, heavy rain, or a stressful evacuation.

Do not throw everything into one compartment.

Organize supplies into labeled modules:

• Medication
• Documents
• Power and charging
• First aid
• Food
• Water
• Clothing
• Hygiene
• Children
• Pets

Use waterproof pouches, packing cubes, or resealable bags. Store the most important and frequently used items near the top.

Medication, identification, water, phone equipment, and the flashlight should be reachable without emptying the entire backpack.

Give every household member a specific bag or responsibility. Use labels or colors so bags are easy to identify.

A bug out bag should reflect where you live, who travels with you, and where you expect to go.

Prioritize documents, reservations, medication, chargers, clothing, hygiene supplies, and food for travel delays.

Review shelter rules. Prepare identification, medication, bedding, personal-care products, charging equipment, hearing protection, and compact comfort items.

Confirm sleeping arrangements, pet restrictions, accessibility, parking, medical needs, and what supplies are already available at the destination.

Weight becomes more important. Prioritize medication, identification, communication, water, weather protection, and the supplies required to reach transportation.

Confirm that the destination accepts animals. Make sure carriers, food, water, records, and cleaning supplies can travel with the rest of the household.

Packing for every imaginable emergency can create a bag that nobody can carry.

Generic survival equipment cannot replace essential prescription medication or medical supplies.

Do not depend entirely on finding bottled water after evacuation traffic has started.

Water is heavy. Carry immediate water in the bag and transport additional water in the vehicle.

Test food before relying on it. Make sure everyone can open, tolerate, and eat what is packed.

Food, medication, batteries, adhesives, and electronics can deteriorate inside a hot vehicle or garage.

Carry written contact information, offline maps, a paper map, backup charging, and another way to receive alerts.

Medication and documents should not be underneath clothing, tools, and food.

A bag that has never been carried is still an untested idea.

Food expires, medication changes, batteries discharge, clothing sizes change, and contact information becomes outdated.

Review the bag at the beginning of hurricane season and whenever household needs change.

Check:

• Medication and expiration dates
• Food and water
• Battery charge levels
• Flashlights
• Charging cables
• Clothing sizes
• Seasonal clothing
• Insurance information
• Emergency contacts
• Hotel and shelter information
• Pet records
• Children’s supplies
• Medical-device requirements
• Backpack condition and fit

Practice loading the vehicle with every household bag, pet carrier, mobility device, and major supply container.

Carry the bag occasionally. Familiarity reduces confusion when you need to leave quickly.

Not every person needs the same amount of equipment.

The Compact Kit focuses on the lightest practical collection of personal evacuation essentials. It is appropriate when mobility, space, or weight is the primary concern.

The Essentials Kit provides a balanced starting point for most hurricane evacuation plans. It covers the primary categories without trying to carry the entire household preparedness system.

The Elite Loadout expands the system with additional capability, redundancy, power, communications, medical supplies, and equipment for longer or more complicated evacuations.

The Vehicle Loadout carries additional water, food, roadside equipment, power, tools, and recovery supplies that would be too heavy or bulky for a personal backpack.

The vehicle loadout complements the bug out bag. It should not replace the medication, documents, communication equipment, and personal essentials that need to remain with you.

A packed bag is most effective when it supports a complete evacuation plan.

Explore the available checklists to build your core hurricane supplies while the complete Free Essentials Kit is in development.

Compare the Compact Kit, Essentials Kit, and Elite Loadout to choose the appropriate level of preparation.

Review the Vehicle Loadout for equipment and supplies that should travel in your vehicle.

Use Evacuation Planning to decide where you will go, which routes you will take, and when you should leave.

Review Family and Pets for household-specific preparation.

Return to Hurricane Bug Out Checklists to coordinate your home, vehicle, and evacuation tasks.