Checklist for Evacuation

General Items:

• Cash or travelers’ checks and coins (banks may close and ATMs may be inoperable)
• Credit cards: also make a copy of the back of your credit cards (the back has contact numbers you may need—especially if you lose them)
• Extra set of house keys and car keys
• Personal identification (Driver’s license/Passport)
• Social Security cards

Personal Items:

• Deodorants, sunscreen
• Light blanket and small pillow for traveling
• Lip balm, insect repellent
• Outerwear appropriate to the climate
• Razor, shaving cream
• Shampoo, comb, and brush
• Tooth paste, toothbrushes
• Towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer
• Vitamins
• Washcloth and towel
• Water, snacks, etc.

Copies of the Following (keep these items in a portable container):

• Bank account numbers
• Birth certificate
• Deeds
• Emergency contact list and phone numbers
• Immunization records
• Insurance papers
• Inventory of household goods
• Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go
• Marriage certificate/Divorce papers/Custody orders
• Medical information, doctor/pharmacy contact info
• School report cards/ IEPs, if child is in school
• Stocks and bonds
• Wills, powers of attorney

Pet Supplies:

• Medications, medical records and a first-aid kit in a waterproof container
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers (Even gentle pets may bite or try to run away under stress.)
• Secure collars with up-to-date information
• Current photos in case pets are lost
• Food, water, bowls, cat litter pan and manual can opener
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior in case you have to foster or board your pets

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Checklist if you decide to stay at home rather than evacuate:

To Do:

Move valuables, personal papers, family photos and important computer disks that you  may not be able to take with you to a water proof container on the highest level of your home

Clothes and Bedding Supplies:

• Blankets/sleeping bags and pillows
• Complete change of clothes
• Extra socks
• Extra underwear
• Hat and gloves
• Rain gear
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Sunglasses
• Thermal underwear

Sanitation and Hygiene Supplies

• A small shovel for digging a latrine
• Contact lens solutions
• Deodorants, sunscreen
• Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach
• Feminine supplies
• Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags and ties for personal sanitation uses
• Lip balm, insect repellent
• Medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid
• Mirror
• Razor, shaving cream
• Shampoo, comb, and brush
• Toilet paper
• Tooth paste, toothbrushes
• Towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer
• Washcloth and towel

Equipment and Tools

• Assorted nails, wood screws, and rope
• Battery-operated travel alarm clock
• Chain saw and extra gas
• Compass
• Duct tape, masking tape, and scissors
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Matches in a waterproof container (or waterproof matches)
• NOAA Weather Radio, if appropriate for your area
• Work gloves
• Plastic sheeting
• Pliers, screwdriver, hammer, crowbar
• Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries
• Shut-off wrench, shovel, and other tools
• Signal flare
• Tube tent
• Whistle

Kitchen Items:

• All-purpose knife
• Aluminum foil and plastic wrap
• Household liquid bleach to treat drinking water
• Manual can opener
• Mess kits or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
• Needles and thread
• Paper, pens, and pencils
• Resealable plastic bags
• Small canister, ABC-type fire extinguisher
• Small cooking stove and a can of cooking fuel
• Soap and liquid detergent
• Sugar, salt, pepper

Food and Water That You Need With You

• 3-day supply of non-perishable foods
• Canned or boxed juices, milk, and soup
• Cereals
• Cookies, hard candy
• High-energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, low-sodium crackers, granola bars, and trail mix
• Instant coffee
• Powdered milk
• Ready-to-eat meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Special foods for infants or persons on special diets
• Water (3 gallons per person) in any clean containers—bathtubs, bottles, pots, etc. as the water supply may become contaminated

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Excerpted from Prepare for the Worst: How CILs Can Assist INDIVIDUALS in Disaster Preparation -- IL NET Newsletter -- Updated June 2006