No one wants to imagine they’ll need to be prepared for an emergency or natural disaster. We at Terradrift are certainly guilty of thinking “it won’t happen to us.” But the hard truth is that natural disasters like wildfires, floods, hurricanes, deep freezes that cause busted pipes, even facility breakdowns that require whole cities to administer boil-water notices are growing more common by the year. So emergency preparedness is more important than ever.
We’ve personally experienced some “mild” disasters and were glad we had the necessities required to power through it. So here are some of the items we’ve found helpful or know are absolutely imperative to keep on hand in case of an emergency, whether it happens at home or after evacuation orders.
Remember: be prepared, stay safe out there, and if you’re not suffering from a disaster right now and have the means, donate to a national non-profit like the American Red Cross to help your friends and neighbors (even if they live on the other side of the country).
What to Pack in Your Emergency Preparedness Kit
LuminAID Lantern
Our LuminAID Survivor Solar Lantern goes with us on every adventure. That includes when our power went out briefly during the snowpocalypse in Austin in 2020. It inflates with just a twist, floats, can be strapped to a backpack or line, and is fully rechargeable via solar or USB. It even has an emergency red light and red flasher just in case and charge your phone.
A headlamp comes in handy, too, but male sure to check the charge every couple months or it may be useless when you need it.
First Aid Kit
We all know we should keep a first aid kit in our homes and cars, but have a well-stocked kit in your emergency bag, too. Any kit will help, but opt for one that contains meds and treatment options for a wide variety of illnesses and injuries that might occur. We like larger kits from Adventure Medical Kits or My Medic. Get one that’s easy to grab and make sure to check expiration dates on meds every once in a while and replace them if necessary.
Portable Power Station
When it comes to power outages, living out of your car after a natural disaster, or having to leave home quickly in case of evacuation orders, nothing brings peace of mind like a portable power station. We’ve tried several over the years, but Biotite and Bluetti make some of our faves (read our review here). They can keep phones, laptops and more charged for days when you don’t have access to electricity.
Need something smaller and more portable? These portable power banks and solar panels fit better in a backpack or duffel and travel well.
Emergency Bivvy
Like an emergency blanket, but sturdier and more functional, an emergency bivvy from a brand like SOL can be a lifesaver whether your car breaks down in the cold, you loose power at home in the winter, or you have to spend an unexpected night outdoors. They reflect up to 90% of body heat back to you, block wind, and are waterproof. They’re relatively inexpensive, so get a few for your family to stash in your emergency bag, car, or outdoor kit and stay warm in unexpected cold.
Water Filter + Purifier
In many natural disasters, water quality is the first to go. We’ve had to suffer through many boil water notices ourselves, and without a reliable filter, staying healthy and hydrated with potable drinking water can be difficult if not impossible. So toss one or two water filters and purifiers in your bag (read about why both are important here). We like to pair a Sawyer filter with purification tabs, but a Grayl bottle filters and purifies in one press.
Food
In an emergency, food may not always be readily available, so it’s helpful to have snacks and freeze-dried meals ready to go. Choose shelf-stable options and meals that can be consumed as-is or by adding water, even if it’s not hot. Backpacker’s Pantry meals are a solid option that have a good shelf-life, can be rehydrated in the bag, taste good, and offer options for most dietary restrictions, including vegan options.
Knife or Multitool
We’re big fans of ultralight knives, but in addition to a blade, a multitool is an extremely useful piece of kit. Look for one that is durable, reliable, and has a wide variety of tools. We like our Leatherman, but Gerber makes a solid more affordable option.
Personal Care
Don’t forget personal care and hygiene items like toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, medications and menstrual supplies (if necessary). We like packable, zero-waste and mess-free HiBar and Canary items for most personal care stuff. Don’t forget hand sanitizer, pet or baby supplies if necessary, and phone charging cables, too.
Bottom Line
Every emergency is different, and this is far from an exhaustive list, but these heavy hitters are a great place to start. Check The Red Cross’ website for a more thorough list based on the type of disaster or emergency you’re most likely to experience (like wildfires in the west, earthquakes in California, or tornadoes in the midwest). Then stock up with confidence and stay safe out there.
