What to pack if you have to evacuate your home in a hurry during the pandemic

Bring prepared can help bring a sense of calmness in a very uncertain time.Courtesy of Zoe Zorka

• Even during a pandemic, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters serve as reminders that nature will still have its way.
• Zoe Zorka, a technical writer and outdoor enthusiast, explains the importance of preparing an emergency kit in case you need to suddenly leave your home.
• Zorka says it should include a general first aid kit, fire-starting supplies, extra clothes, sanitation supplies, and personal protective equipment.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Last weekend, more than a dozen tornadoes ravaged communities in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, killing almost two dozen people, damaging homes, and wreaking havoc on communities already in crisis.

Author Zoe Zorka.Courtesy of Zoe Zorka

These tornadoes — along with the recent 6.5 earthquake in rural Idaho on March 31 and the 5.9 earthquake in Salt Lake City on March 18 that sent thousands of the city's residents fleeing their homes in a panic — served as reminders that despite the current COVID-19 pandemic, nature will still have its way.

That's especially true as residents in large parts of the country prepare to enter tornado, wildfire, and hurricane season.

If you had to leave your home in a hurry in the middle of a pandemic, would you be ready?

Traditional emergency evacuation measures usually call for one of two things: residents to voluntarily evacuate before a disaster (usually to the homes of families or friends) or displaced residents to be temporarily housed in emergency shelters (think FEMA tents or other places such as churches or schools) — all situations that are potential breeding grounds for the coronavirus.

As a technical writer, it's my job to write standard operating procedures for businesses across all industries. A crucial component of the safety section is emergency preparedness. We've always suggested that our clients have three days' worth of emergency rations and supplies in the event of a natural or manmade disaster, as well as situations such as fires, gas leaks, or accidents that could warrant a temporary evacuation or the interruption in normal services and utilities.

Below is a checklist of items I believe it's wise to include in an emergency evacuation kit, as preparing one may help you feel calmer in a time of great uncertainty.

Your emergency kit should contain evacuation plans and supplies for staying safe

A good pandemic emergency evacuation kit requires dual preparedness: the plans for a successful temporary evacuation and the tools for keeping healthy, safe, and clean outside of your home or business. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, I've also included optional camping gear that may help you remain as independent as possible during the current pandemic.

I suggest packing from the bottom up, with the most crucial items on the top. The kind of storage container that you use can vary. I personally store my items in a 36"x 18' x 22' Sterilite rolling container that fits snugly in the back of my Jeep. A large camping bag such as this one from Osprey is also a good option.

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