Watching Colorado burn and the East Coast cope with the storms emphasizes how everyone, no matter where you live, needs to have a basic emergency kit. A real one. And it's so easy. Here's one way to approach it.
I live on the Third Coast. My husband and I were driving two vehicles in that traffic you saw of people fleeing Hurricane Rita. The whole experience wasn't fun and I learned a lot, but mostly that when you are stressed, your ability to make good decisions flies out the window, no matter how calm you think you would be. Advance preparation is critical.
This will be short and sweet because I want you to see how easy it is. Do it today.
There are three things you need to do:
1) Create “go bags”. Take unused luggage, one per adult, something comfortable to carry, and stock them with emergency gear. FEMA (ready.gov) has suggestions on their site that you should follow. (You can always put that stuff in a box whenever you need to use the luggage.)
2) Make a “last minute” list, on an index card or something small and bright, of the things you would gather if an emergency really happened. Put one copy in the go bag and one on your desk, for stuff you think of later. Keep it simple. Mine includes:
Bike helmets for tornado protection
Medications, sunblock
Sunglasses, hats, umbrellas for shade
Chargers
Jewelry, purse, cash
Long pants, good sturdy shoes and extra socks
Cat box and food bucket
Backpacks
Precious things and/or pix of precious things
3) Decide what your “precious things” are. DO THIS IN ADVANCE when you are calm and can think straight. Trust me, when an emergency happens, thinking straight will not be your strong suit. Make those decisions now, not when you're stressed and worried about your family. What are the things you would save if your house was on fire and you had to carry all of it yourself? Work up from there. Remember most of it is only stuff.
Do it this afternoon. It doesn't take long.