Experts urge ready-to-go emergency bags as climate-driven disasters rise

Climate-driven disasters are becoming more frequent and intense, and experts say preparedness starts with a simple, portable kit that can be kept in a backpack, a car or a closet. As climate risk grows, emergency go bags are increasingly framed as a practical part of resilience, designed to bridge the gap between danger and access to critical resources. The core idea is to have essential supplies ready to sustain a person or family for a period after a disaster, with two commonly recommended scales: a three-day kit for everyday preparedness and a larger option intended to last two weeks.

Red Cross spokesperson Stephanie Fox told HuffPost that disasters can happen anywhere — even in a home — and having the supplies needed to navigate the emergency can enable a quicker and calmer response. She advocates two configurations: one with essentials for three days and a more substantial option stocked with two weeks’ worth of supplies. "Food, water and any prescription medication are extremely important components to a kit," Fox said, adding that families should tailor their kits to accommodate the needs of children, the elderly, the disabled and pets.

Survivalist Ky Furneaux stresses that geography should shape what goes into a bag. By researching historical floods, fires, hurricanes or other hazards in a given area, people can identify what’s most likely to impact them and tailor their kit accordingly. Even in places without a recent disaster history, she notes, it’s prudent to have a go bag ready for a potential once-in-a-lifetime event. While numerous pre-made kits exist, Furneaux argues the best bag is one you assemble yourself, because you will know what’s inside and how to use it. Wilderness educator Donald Dust agrees, saying that pre-made “bug-out” bags can be gimmicky and that the real value lies in planning, training and self-reliance. Dust also emphasizes that the bag should include copies of important documents, both paper and digital copies via a Cloud account, and that packets should not be filled to capacity so there is room for items that may be provided at relief centers or along travel routes. He adds that the single most important survival item (besides a blade) is having a good mindset; staying positive and adaptable equips a person to respond when it matters most.

All three experts agree that emergency bags should contain copies of important travel and identification documents, and that planning and training are key to effectiveness. Dust recommends scanning documents and uploading them to cloud storage, while sending paper copies to relatives who live far away. And, as Furneaux notes, the mind’s role cannot be underestimated: "If you can stay positive and be adaptable, then you have won half the battle... The mind is super powerful and if you have prepared yourself mentally, physically and emotionally, you will live."

The HuffPost conversation also laid out a practical inventory that reflects the experts’ guidance. In broad terms, it envisions a large-capacity backpack for each person, with room to spare for items that might be added along a route of travel. Publicly available gear recommendations include a pair of emergency whistles that can be heard at a long distance, a portable hand-crank NOAA weather radio that can double as a charger, and a large stainless steel water jug that can be clipped to the exterior of a pack. A sturdy multitool, a rechargeable waterproof lighter and a set of sanitary pads are also highlighted, along with a neck gaiter or bandana to provide protection from the elements. Signal mirrors, a LifeStraw water filter, headlamps, a compact LED flashlight, and a basic first aid kit with space for prescriptions are cited as essential components, as are a ferro rod for fire-starting, a case or pack of water, extra batteries, a solar-charging bank, a field compass and a road atlas for navigation, and hand sanitizer for hygiene.

The conversation also underscored practical considerations that go beyond the checklist. Dust cautions against overloading a pack, reminding readers that relief centers or routes to safety can supply additional items. And while there is value in ready-made kits, Furneaux and Dust stress that a personalized bag built around a family’s specific needs—age, health conditions, pets and climate exposures—tends to work best. As Dust put it: “You never know when you will get that knock on the door.”

In a climate context, the emphasis on readiness is part of a broader trend toward household resilience in the face of more frequent, more intense weather events. The three-day kit is designed for quick stabilization and access to essentials in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, while the two-week kit represents a higher level of self-sufficiency. For families, that could mean several days without power, in shelters, or without reliable access to groceries or pharmacies. The underlying message from the experts is simple: start with basic, adaptable gear, tailor it to local risks, and practice with it so that if disaster does strike, the response is swift, calm and efficient.

As the HuffPost package notes, the kits referenced by Fox, Furneaux and Dust are meant to be adaptable rather than prescriptive. They can be assembled gradually, tweaked after drills, and updated to reflect changes in climate risk, family composition and medical needs. And beyond the gear itself, the conversations around go bags underscore a broader point: preparation buys time, reduces fear and sustains decision‑making when minutes count. For households facing a new climate reality, the simple act of assembling a personalized emergency kit can be a meaningful step toward resilience.