You can learn a lot about a person by what they pack during an evacuation!
With all that’s going on hurricane-wise lately… first Charley (which hit hardest just south of Tampa, Florida), then Frances, most recently Ivan (which destroyed the city we used to live in – Pensacola, Florida), and up-and-coming Jeanne (who knows where that one’s headed!), I’ve done a lot of reflecting lately about my time spent in Florida and a couple close calls with hurricanes while I was living there.
In March of 1998, the part of Orlando that I lived in was just a few miles from a wildfire that was burning out of control. (To this day, there’s still evidence of the widespread fire damage — all the way from Cocoa Beach to Orlando.)
For days, it was touch and go whether we’d have to evacuate or not.
Since my little apartment in Orlando was a bit too close for comfort, here’s what I packed for the impending evacuation:
- Swimsuit (I waited 5 years to find one I liked… figured I’d never find one that fit me like this one again!)
- Camping gear — to have a place to stay
- Favorite biking shorts, tops, and jerseys (bicycling is my hobby, my exercise, my life right now)
- Biking shoes — cost $200 and everyone wants a pair like these, but they don’t make them like this anymore
- “Simplify Your Life” book — because I might have no choice
- Favorite work clothes — Tom (my boss) would’ve been proud, I packed all of my UCF polo shirts!
- A year’s supply of underwear
- Black heels, navy heels, black flats, navy flats (for work)
- My cameras (I’d be lost without them. I often say that my only memories are those I’ve saved in photographs.)
- Old high school and college yearbooks (one of my few ties to the past)
- All my photo albums (9) and negatives (many boxes!)
- Scrapbooks (8) and all craft supplies (a couple huge plastic tubs)
- Favorite clothes in 2 suitcases
- Dog food and Jersey’s favorite toys, brush, and nail trimmer
- Computer files & documents I’ve saved on disk
- My favorite framed pictures
- Old love letters
- Corded phone (I’m too practical for my own good!)
- Flashlights
- Universal remote and instructions (…we’ve all got our priorities)
- Insurance papers
- Receipts for everything I’ve saved for years
- All credit card statements with account numbers and balances
- Credit cards to buy new stuff
- Toiletries
- Van Morrison CD’s
- 5 of my favorite videotaped movies
UPDATE: It’s funny to read this list so many years later…
(I’ve always been one to make and keep lists – for everything!)
Looking back, I was lucky that I had an SUV, and it was just me and the dog!
What The Experts Say You Should Pack
- Make Your Own Disaster Supplies Kit
- How To Keep Your Dog Safe During Storms Including Hurricanes, Tornadoes & Evacuations
- How To Be Prepared For An Evacuation
- Tips That Help When You’re Preparing To Evacuate
- Hurricane Preparedness & What You Should Pack
- Do This Now In Case Your Dog Gets Separated From You
As a homeowner, I primarily write about weather safety tips that everyone should know in order to protect their home and family during major weather events. I especially like to share seasonal "outside the box" ideas that most wouldn't think of in the Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall. The weather events I've personally experienced include: Hurricanes (while living in Florida), Tornadoes (while living in Indiana, Texas, and Tennessee), Earthquakes (while visiting California), Blizzards (while living in New York and Indiana), and Flooding (while living in Tennessee).
