Prepare for Emergency with a Grab & Go Bag

With the remnants of killer Hurricane Florence headed to NYC, and flash flooding predicted, it’s important to be ready for an emergency, in case you and your family must evacuate quickly.

Even if you are not in the path of hurricane-related weather, you should have a Grab and Go Bag and be ready for storms, floods, fires, or even a personal emergency that requires immediate travel.

In addition to your emergency Grab and Go Bag, charge all your electronic devices, most of all your phone, in case the power goes out, and even charge an external rechargeable power pack.

And fill up the tank, so you are not running on empty.  See the NYCOTC page to find the cheapest gas in NYC and the Tri-State area.

How to help Hurricane Florence victims This list is from last year’s devastating hurricanes Irma and Maria, but the same groups are back in the game in 2018, helping victims in the Carolinas.

NYC Dept. of Emergency Management list to grab and go.

• Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address, etc.)
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Credit and ATM cards and cash, especially in small denominations. We recommend you keep at least $50-$100 on hand, in case banks are not open and/or ATM machines are not operating.
• Bottled water and non-perishable food such as energy or granola bars
• Flashlight. Traditional flashlight bulbs have limited lifespans. Light Emitting Diode (LED) flashlights, however, are more durable and last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs.
• Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
• A list of the medications each member of your household takes, why they take them, and their dosages. Medication information and other essential personal items. If you store extra medication in your Grab and Go Bag, be sure to refill it before it expires.
• First-aid kit
  
• Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map
• Child care supplies or other special care items
• A change of clothes for each member of the family

A Grab and Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels, and it should be easy to find, to grab and go if you have to leave your home in a hurry. A Go Bag should be ready to go at all times of the year.

We published this first in preparation for Superstorm Sandy, which devastated so much of New York City and the Northeast. With the 2018 hurricane season now in full force, it’s worth publishing again as a reminder as of the importance of being prepared.

Let’s hope you don’t need it.  But it always pays to be prepared.