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Sadie...while my sons are grown now...I always kept a large duffel bag and a steel trunk in a garden shed and drilled my sons on what to do if a earthquake or other disaster occurred while I was at work ( I was a RN). I had to prepare my sons to be able to "camp out" by themselves in our large back yard with a wooded area. I did have to check monthly that those boys or their friends didn't raid the BOB and trunk cause they were too lazy to go pack their own backpacks.
I figured worse case scenario...I would not be able to get home from hospital due to ethics, and IF I could leave, I would not be able to get home easily since I must drive or walk 10 miles over flood plain and drawbridges or find a way to get to a hiway access that would be safely away from the flood plains. The rule was IF earthquake occurred and our home damaged...they get to the supplies stored in garden shed. Even if that was flattened...they would be able to lift the small walls and roof without too much risk to get to supplies. I had tent, sleeping bags, stoves, fuel, rain shelter and anything else they might need to take care of themselves if Mom or grandparents were unable to get to them.
Now days I keep a small BOB and 1st responder first aid bag in fast access to grab if an earthquake starts. I learned after the 08 earthquake...not a good idea to keep those bags in a closet...so they sit in area I can grab as I am running outside front door. I keep another tub of supplies outside with additional items as well as in garage. (Figure if earthquake hit I might not be able to get into garage or car in the garage). I keep a box of supplies and first aid in my trunk in case I am not home or I need to evac ASAP. I have a small first aid kit in my purse even!
All of my BOB are with the goal of being able to stay dry and warm and safe until able to get from point A (home) to point B parents cabin 30 miles away at a secure location where we have well water, wood, shelter, generator, and enough food to take care of our family without having to deal with supply and demand issues during or after a major event.
I am prepared to take care of my adult children and their families at home for at least 3 months comfortably as well as a year at a safer location should it be necessary to hunker down in a family group for a long period of time.
I had a much different approach to BOB and emergency storage plans when I lived in Texas depending on whether I lived in tornado and blizzard area or in hurricane areas. Up here in Pacific NW it is most important to deal with hypothermia issues and earthquakes and flooding. All you can do in a tornado situation is have a storm cellar stocked and ready to live out of if your house is gone and watch the weather and go to ground. In hurricane areas...get the **** out if you can or be prepared to go thru what New Orleans did. Long term stockpiling of food in hurricanes only works if you can keep it from floating away. At least hurricanes have warning and days to prepare.
I used to work at hospitals closest to Pantex (where they assembled all nuclear weapons). Imagine growing up and having a bomb proof tornado shelter as your ultimate bug out shelter as well as coolest place to sleep during 110 degree days. LOL! Could be why I am the way I am about being prepared.
