What I Pack in My Go Bag to Stay Ready for Any Natural Disaster

Floodwaters are rising. A fire has broken out next door. A tornado siren blares overhead. In a crisis, every second counts and every decision matters. Having a fully stocked emergency go bag means you won’t be scrambling to find critical supplies, medications or documents when it’s time to evacuate quickly.

I live on the Gulf Coast in Florida in a town that’s been hit hard by hurricanes in the past. With a new hurricane season underway as of June 1, I’m more on guard than ever. Hurricanes are nothing new to me — I grew up near the water in North Carolina, where my parents still live — but even still, news of a developing storm gets me anxious. That’s why I’m always prepared with a bag of essentials.

I’ve built my trusty emergency go bag from hard-won experience, including during last year’s hurricanes Helene and Milton. (And this bag isn’t just for hurricane preparation — my sister lives in Oklahoma and has assembled her own go bag based on my recommendations for tornadoes.) Trust me: Having a bag ready can make a chaotic, terrifying moment a little more manageable.