Your Coastal Flooding Emergency Checklist

Everyone should be prepared for a disaster or a worst case scenario. However, living on the coast—particularly on the Pacific coast—comes with unique dangers. Make sure you have a disaster bag handy, a plan of action (POA), and ensure that everyone in your home knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Sometimes you have little or no warning of a disaster, and practice makes perfect. Find out where the closest disaster recovery center (DRC) is in your town, and make sure all of your loved ones know how to get there. Drive by the closest center so that you won’t be hunting blindly for it during a storm.

When putting together your own disaster preparedness kit, there are a few key items that everyone should have.

Disaster Bag Basics

1. Water: The basic equation is that everyone needs one gallon of water for every three days—so plan accordingly. Have enough available for a 30-day supply if possible. At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food is a must. Purchase emergency 3,600 calorie bars for each member of your family, which will last for years. It’s a good idea for everyone in the house have their own easily-accessible backpack filled with essentials, as well as a CamelBak-style water source attached to it, so you can just grab and go if evacuation is necessary.

2. Radio: A combined radio and NOAA weather radio with tone alert is an absolute must, but choose one that’s either battery operated, solar-powered—or both. Keep extra batteries nearby. Similarly, sturdy and lightweight flashlights that are both battery and solar operated for each person is wise. If possible, keep one of each in the backpacks and one of each on your window sills to absorb the UV rays that keep them solar powered.

Thinking Ahead

Also include dust masks, baby wipes and plastic bags (for personal sanitation), laminated local maps, and a manual can opener in your kit.

A pay-as-you-go phone (with plenty of minutes that won’t expire), along with an extra charger, a solar and/or battery-operated charger, and a car charger are also useful. Make sure your phone is always charged and that it has emergency phone numbers already saved. If possible, also keep clean socks and underwear in sealed baggies, as well as a travel toothbrush and toothpaste.

You’ll want to feel clean and comfortable even if you’re evacuated, and while these items might seem unimportant now, they can be a source of luxury in an emergency.

An extra pair of comfortable boots or sneakers, jeans, and a warm waterproof jacket in every bag is also a good idea.

Most importantly, talk openly about your POA regularly with your family, since preparation is your best defense.

Disaster preparation can save you and your family ample stress in the future. If you live in an area that experiences coastal flooding, be sure to stock up on the above items and review your POA often.