Tsunami Go Bag: What to Pack
Earthquakes trigger tsunamis that demand evacuation. Once the tsunami warning pops up, everyone should quickly move inland or to higher ground. The best time to prepare for the evacuation is before the disaster strikes.
Keep reading to learn why everyone should have a go bag, where to store it, and what to pack for comfort and peace of mind during this disaster.
Why Every Family Member Should Have Their Own Tsunami Go Bag
While each tsunami go bag may have similar items, individual go bags allow each family member to pack for their unique needs. Comfort items, games, clothing preferences, and even snacks can reflect personal preferences. Family members with specific medical needs can store their medicine and health supplies in their own bag for convenient access.
During any emergency, evacuations happen quickly. During a tsunami warning, everyone should evacuate to higher ground or move inland as fast as possible. A family will move faster as a group if each person packs their own bag, instead of one person being responsible for a massive family kit.
Where Should I Keep My Tsunami Go Bag?
A tsunami evacuation warning can happen at any time. While you may spend a lot of time at home, you need to consider other places to store a go bag. You should not try to return home for your go bag if you are away. With a tsunami, time is critical.
Home Storage
Keep the bags near an exit, in an easy-to-reach spot. Everyone in the family should be able to locate and reach their own. If you don’t have room near an exit, under the bed is another option, as long as they are easy to get.
Car Storage
The trunk or third row is a great spot, depending on your vehicle. Keep a smaller kit here in case a tsunami hits while not at home. This bag can also be a general emergency kit if your car breaks down. An EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank (10,000mAh) is perfect to store in your vehicle if you lose power.
Work Storage
There may not be a good spot to store a fully packed go bag at work, but you could keep a smaller kit in your desk or locker. The one in your car might be sufficient if you drive to work.
School Storage
The size and contents of a school bag depend on the student's age and grade. For younger students, contact the school administration and learn their emergency plan. Working with the students' teacher, you can determine what they should bring. Older students can stow a small emergency bag in their locker or backpack.
What a Tsunami Go Bag Contains: The 72-Hour Essentials
Packing your family’s go bags shouldn’t be a guess-and-hope approach; instead, you should follow the 72-hour rationale. Everyone in the family should have their own bag with enough supplies to get through 72 hours of evacuation. Here’s a list of the essentials you should pack in the go bags. Some items, like batteries, food, and water, should be replaced routinely for freshness.
Identification and Documents
Copies of personal identification, like passports and driver’s licenses
Home and health insurance information and cards
Phone number of an emergency contact
Copy of house deed
Map of the area in case cell towers stop working
Family photo in every bag for additional identification
Cash, coins, credit cards, and debit cards
Medical Supplies
First aid kit
Medical gloves
Over-the-counter medication for allergies, pain, nausea, and diarrhea
Prescription medication, if applicable, and copies of the prescription
Medical history summary for minors or dependents
Safety
Flashlight and head torch
Extra batteries
Knife or multitool
Emergency blanket
Paracord and Duct tape
Whistle
Communication Support
Phone charging cable and adapter
Multiport power station, like the Ecoflow RIVER 3 Plus
Set of Walki-talkies, enough for each bag
Emergency radio capable of AM/FM
Pen and paper to leave messages
Food and Water
Large bottles of drinking water
Alternatively, a water purification filter, if a gallon is too heavy to pack
Non-perishable food like packaged meat and fruit, easy-to-heat meals, nutrition bars, and crackers
Electrolytes or drink mixes
Personal
Change of clothes and socks
Closed-toe shoes
Sunscreen
Wet wipes and tissues
Cloth masks
Spare glasses, contacts, and contact solution
Toiletries
Pets
Secure leash and harness
Three days' worth of pet food in zip bags
Food and water bowls, collapsible ones are best
Vaccination record
Waste bags
Litter box and litter for cats
Medications
Pet ID tags and microchip information
A toy for comfort
Treats for encouragement
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Update or Refresh My Go Bag Supplies?
Food should be cycled out and replaced yearly, or by expiration dates. Water and batteries should be changed annually. Check through documents and contact information each year to ensure everything is current. Of course, make updates if you move or have other life changes.
What’s the Difference Between a Tsunami Go Bag and a Standard Emergency Kit?
Both kits serve similar purposes, but the tsunami go bag is designed for immediate evacuation. It should be portable, lightweight, compact, and have enough supplies for 72 hours. Standard emergency kits are made for sheltering in place. They can be bigger and built to last 7-14 days.
Tsunami Preparedness Starts With a Go Bag
Everyone in your family should have their own go bag. If you have a pet to evacuate, make one for them as well. It’s easier to stick together when one person isn’t weighed down by one singular family bag. Keep the full go bag in an easy-to-reach spot at home, and keep smaller, but still helpful bags, in your car, work, and school.
When packing your bag, remember the 72-hour essentials rule. Have enough supplies to get everyone through the first 72 hours. During a disaster, an EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank (10,000mAh) keeps you connected and powered for real-time updates and communication.