Maintaining Calm Amid Chaos: Families Pack ‘Go Bags’ to be Ready

Neatly organized into two backpacks are a tent, sleeping bags and mats, water filter, three-day supply of food, first aid kit, flashlights and extra batteries. But Pensacola residents Cole and Christina Coburn aren’t planning for a long weekend at one of Florida’s beautiful state parks. Rather, they have seen the wisdom of preparing ‘go-bags’ in anticipation of a hurricane or other natural disaster.

“It’s really that love for life that is so important … to value what we’ve been given from our creator,” Christina explained. “That is why we appreciate the direction to be prepared, because it means our life, and it means others’ lives. It’s very important for us to be prepared and each year refresh ourselves on how to be prepared.”

With extreme weather events escalating in frequency and severity in recent years, experts urge families to plan ahead for natural disasters. Ready.gov, a FEMA website, recommends putting together a “collection of basic items” to last for several days, including food, water, a change of clothes, cash and a flashlight.

The Coburns also want to be in a position to assist others in the event of a natural disaster. “To be prepared, not just for yourself, but … to help others. That’s where your energy will go,” said Cole.

The Coburns credit regular disaster-preparedness reminders through their congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and on the Christian organization’s official website, jw.org, for helping them to keep at the ready.

“Being ready to face a natural disaster may be the difference between life and death when it unexpectedly hits,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for the Christian organization. “We can’t just say life is precious; we need to live it. That’s why the Bible’s advice to take practical steps to protect ourselves and our families from danger makes so much sense — even if threats seem far off.”

In flood-prone Louisa, Kentucky, Brandon and C’onia Fitch made preparing go bags a fun activity for kids Nolan, Gavin and Stella, letting them pick out their own bags and add their favorite toys and nonperishable snacks.

“Everyone in the family had a role in preparing the bags,” said Brandon. “They know what’s in them, and they know where to find them.”

The importance of being ‘go bag ready’ was put to the test last year when floodwaters surrounded their home in rural Appalachia.

In pitch darkness and with freezing water rising steadily in their home, the Fitches loaded their go bags — and Princess Pickles, 6-year-old Stella’s beloved guinea pig — into the family car and drove to higher ground.

By morning, four feet of muddy floodwater had devastated the Fitches’ home and brought into sharp focus the true value of their efforts to prepare.

“It took a bit of the panic away,” said C’onia. “It seemed like a daunting task … but I’m so glad we did it.”

“You’re not going to regret it,” agreed Nolan, 16. “It could save your life.”