What would you take if you were evacuated from your home?

**sunshine** · 03-02-2010, 06:30 PM

We already have plans in place for a WTSHTF scenerio. We have cached foods/supplies in various places across several states, "hidden" gardens in secluded areas, safe "houses" (caves,underground refuges, etc.) Ammo, food,clothing are stashed at each place, and checked/rotated routinely. Most importantly, we have a network of like minded friends and family that also prepare for such an occurance.

So - what would I grab? My family, every gas can available (each vehicle is already equipped with BOB's), canned foods, items for barter ( toothpaste, aluminum foil, soap) and all cash on hand.

**sinopa27** · 03-02-2010, 10:06 PM

I have so many questions about this and I am glad for this thread.
Why would people have gold and silver?? In a real disaster, what could you do with a rock?? People say that it is valuable but I can imagine myself ready to kill someone for the last candy bar than silver or gold. No joke either!!
I watched After Armaggedden on the History channel today. It was awesome!! Great way to see how to really think.
I think knowledge is the best way to start for preparation.
One thing they mentioned in the movie was that there would be a time where looting and violence will take over and they suggested to "trash" your yard to make your house seem like it was already looted so that the looters will pass your home. I have never heard of this before. I think that is cool advice. To try your best to make yourself invisible to violent people during chaos.

**KathleenCG** · 03-04-2010, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by WV_mom_of2

This reminds me of a book that I read a couple of years ago. It was fiction and darned if I can remember the name of it LOL. But in the book this family lives in a large sub-division. One day everything just stops working everywhere. Cars stopped where they were, airplanes fell from the sky, lawnmowers wouldn't run, generators wouldn't work, clocks stopped, etc. All the stores shut down. They opened the Walmart for one day and the family had to figure out how to get there(they used bikes) and what they wanted to try to buy. They made lists for each family member. The list had items of top priority and then suggestions of other things they might need if they could find them after the most important things. They even had to put one family member outside the store with a gun to keep people from stealing the bikes!

The book showed their struggles to get by and how the community helped each other. This family depended on an elderly neighbor for advice.

In one situation they hauled water from the lake nearby and filled the washing machine to wash clothes by hand. Then figured out that they had no way to get the water back OUT of the machine!

It was a really good book and I'll have to see if the librarian knows the name of it. Might read it again!

"They opened the Walmart for one day. . ."

Shopping at Walmart! Now THAT'S scary!

**krbshappy71** · 03-04-2010, 04:52 PM

If evacuated:

No notice of the emergency: My daughter and my purse.

Any notice, up to 24 hrs notice: all animal supplies and the animals, if they are allowed to come with. (see list of pets in my signature) As much food and water as possible that I could fit in the car. Blankets, clothing, any emergency stuff I could gather up before deadline. Stuff every nook and cranny of the car. (small suv)

I love my animals, but my daughter comes first. Granted, the turtle is in her bedroom so she would probably shove it in her hoodie pocket. Turtle Power!

We do have a fire-escape plan for the animals but we've agreed it depends on where the fire has started whether we can save them all. So here's hoping no fires in our future.

**krbshappy71** · 03-04-2010, 04:53 PM

Sunshine, your post fascinates me.

**Thevail** · 03-04-2010, 07:12 PM

Having once had a housefire.. that depends on the time of day.. or night : )

First shoes!!

But normally, spare clothes, wallet, reading glasses, cell phone, water bottle, my heavy cloak (acts as a sleeping bag) the change from the change jar (vending machines are everywhere) , the CD with the child's baby pictures, and a good book.

**sunshine** · 03-04-2010, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by krbshappy71

Sunshine, your post fascinates me.

Not sure what aspect particularly facinates you. . . . We live in ice storm, tornado prone area. . . . so have had to manage without power for weeks at a time.

As to the hidden gardens - we simply plant climbing beans, peas, salad greens in various spots that we make with a GPS - the plants blend in with the surrounding vegetations, so it's hidden in plain sight, so to speak, and we can find them easily with a GPS.

I grew up in the 60's - remember Bay of Pigs? Nuclear war threats? etc. So I prep for that sort of scenerio as well.

**krbshappy71** · 03-04-2010, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by sunshine

Not sure what aspect particularly facinates you. . . . We live in ice storm, tornado prone area. . . . so have had to manage without power for weeks at a time.

As to the hidden gardens - we simply plant climbing beans, peas, salad greens in various spots that we make with a GPS - the plants blend in with the surrounding vegetations, so it's hidden in plain sight, so to speak, and we can find them easily with a GPS.

I grew up in the 60's - remember Bay of Pigs? Nuclear war threats? etc. So I prep for that sort of scenerio as well.

Ya, the hidden gardens and all, was just not something I'd heard of before. Very intriguing. I live under a rock. Or in my own little bubble I guess. I'm impressed/facinated. I'll wander off now to google and learn more. This site just has such a variety of people, I love hearing new things.

**patticakes** · 03-04-2010, 09:02 PM

As much as I want to sell the RV -- it is always ready to go with basics. If there was time to add to the stash, I would make sure the clothes are season appropriate, extra propane, firestarters/matches, battery operated radio, meds/food for dogs, battery operated cell phone charger(that is an awesome gadget!) -- there is so much to consider I really like the notebook idea posted earlier.

As much as I always think of things we would need if... My DH always believes less is more and he can always buy it later. Which explains why we have an abundance of utility knives, jumper cables, flash lights and blankets to name a few. It frustrated me beyond belief -- how hard is it to think ahead a little to be prepared?

Great thread! Loving the ideas ---

**fairydana** · 03-04-2010, 09:24 PM

The kitty and the boyfriend.

**8paws** · 03-07-2010, 01:41 PM

I would pack my 2 dogs in the car w/ their necessities, a couple changes of clothing, my wallet w/ id's, camping and survival bug-out packs (sleeping bag, tarps,matches, batteries, book on edible wild plants, dried foods, water, radio, etc) and head out. I have a house full of wonderful antiques w/ sentimental value, but much as I would miss having my collection of "stuff", they are just possessions. Nothing is more important than getting myself and dogs to safety.

And yes, I do have a very basic emergency pack put together and ready to grab at a moments notice.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 03-07-2010, 02:41 PM

My laptop, back up hard drive (it has more/other data than the laptop), and some of my "treasures" depending on how long I had...

**scooby8themall** · 03-08-2010, 06:36 PM

I would have to take important papers and water, food and clothes and blankets, both lap tops my dog and her food.My safe that is portable .
People have the gold and silver in case there is no money or none that you can get a hold of banks closed down atm machine's won't work then you could buy things you needed from people that took gold or silver.Among other things I have a lot of junk silver that would go!!
Good post and a lot of useful info thanks for sharing.