Evacuation List

When it’s time to leave, speed and clarity matter. The Evacuation List is designed to eliminate hesitation and ensure you walk out the door with everything you need to stay safe, comfortable, and self-sufficient for days or even weeks. Evacuations can be chaotic. Traffic backups, fuel shortages, closed stores, shifting storm tracks, but having the right gear packed and ready turns a stressful rush into a controlled, confident execution of your plan.

This guide focuses on the essentials: documents, medications, cash, communication tools, food, water, clothing, chargers, and personal items that are difficult or impossible to replace once the storm hits. It also includes recommended upgrades like emergency radios, power banks, medical kits, and comfort items that make long drives or shelter stays more manageable. Whether you’re heading to a hotel, a friend’s home, or out of state, this list ensures nothing critical gets forgotten when the clock is ticking and the pressure rises.

Evacuation Checklist

📄 Essential Documents (Waterproof + Digital Copies)

  • Driver’s licenses + IDs

  • Passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards

  • Insurance policies (home, auto, medical, flood)

  • Vehicle titles + registration

  • Medical records + prescription lists

  • Proof of residence (utility bill, lease, deed)

  • Emergency contact list

  • USB drive with backups of important files

  • Photos/videos of home & valuables for insurance

💊 Medications & Health

  • 7–14 days of prescription medications

  • OTC meds (pain relief, allergy meds, antacids, etc.)

  • First-aid kit (include trauma essentials if possible)

  • Glasses, contacts, solution, and backups

  • Personal hygiene kit (soap, deodorant, wipes, toothbrush, etc.)

  • Hand sanitizer + masks

  • Fire extinguisher rated for lithium battery fires

🧰 Communication & Electronics

  • Fully charged phone + backup phone (if available)

  • Power banks (charged)

  • Charging cables for all devices

  • 12V car charger

  • Laptop/tablet + chargers (optional but ideal)

  • NOAA emergency radio

  • GMRS/FRS or CB radios (if you have them)

  • Headphones / earbuds

⛽ Money & Financial Prep

  • Cash in small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s, $20s)

  • Credit/debit cards

  • Prepaid fuel gift cards (optional but useful)

🍗 Food, Water & Essentials

  • 3 days of shelf-stable food

  • Minimum 1 gallon of water per person per day

  • Refillable water bottles

  • Snacks for the road

  • Manual can opener

  • Cooler (optional but helpful)

👕 Clothing & Personal Items

  • 3–5 days of clothes

  • Sturdy shoes + sandals

  • Rain gear / poncho

  • Lightweight jacket or hoodie

  • Extra underwear + socks

  • Hats + sunglasses

  • Personal comfort items

🧺 Shelter & Comfort

  • Blankets / travel blankets

  • Pillows (small compressible ones work best)

  • Sleeping bag or compact quilt

  • Travel towels

  • Earplugs + eye mask

  • Books, cards, or small entertainment items

🧴 Sanitation

  • Toiletries kit

  • Baby wipes or adult wipes

  • Toilet paper

  • Trash bags

  • Feminine hygiene supplies

  • Travel soap/shampoo

🐶 Pets (Don’t Forget Them!)

  • Food (3 days minimum)

  • Water supply

  • Carrier / crate

  • Leash, harness, collar

  • Medication + vet records

  • Waste bags + cleaning supplies

  • Comfort toys / blanket

🎒 Personal Go-Bags

Each person should have:

  • Clothing

  • Toiletries

  • Medications

  • Snacks + water

  • Flashlight / headlamp

  • Multi-tool

  • Important documents (copies)

  • Phone charger

  • Cash

  • Comfort items

🛠 Gear & Safety

  • Flashlights + extra batteries

  • Headlamps

  • Multi-tool or small tool kit

  • Sturdy work gloves

  • N95 masks

  • Duct tape

  • Portable fan (USB or battery)

  • Small emergency sewing kit

🚗 Before You Leave the House

  • Unplug all small appliances

  • Turn off gas (if applicable)

  • Secure doors, windows, shutters

  • Move valuables off the floor

  • Take final home photos for insurance

  • Lock all interior doors

  • Double-check pets, medications, and documents

  • Verify fuel tank is full

  • Program your destination into GPS + download offline maps

💡 Final Grab List (Tape this by your door)

  • Phones + chargers

  • Wallet + keys

  • Medications

  • Go-bags

  • Pets + pet bags

  • Cash

  • Important documents

  • Snacks + water

  • Power banks

  • Emergency radio