Elizabeth Weigle, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent, spoke with GPB about what to pack when evacuating from a hurricane.
Weigle recommends packing three bags — an emergency car bag, a daily hygiene bag and what she calls a “coming home bag.”
The first two carry clothes, hygiene products, nonperishable food and batteries, but that “coming home” bag prepares people for whatever damage that contaminated floodwaters have done to their residence.
“It’s critical because there’s so many contaminants in the environment when people come back to those flood disaster areas,” Weigle said. “It just prevents health problems, safety issues.”
In a large waterproof bag, she said, pack steel toe boots, a hard hat, coveralls, a respirator and other safety equipment.
Ideally, each family member should have their own gear to grab at a moment’s notice.
If there is time to prepare for an evacuation, make sure to grab other items including prescriptions, valuables and important documents.