If You Had to Evacuate Your Home, What Would You Take?

I’ve been part of a lot of conversations lately about evacuating.

Some people have asked me what I took when I had to evacuate. Others have talked about what they would grab if they suddenly had to leave their home.

And I’ve realized something from all of those conversations: it’s a very different question when you’ve actually had to do it.

When I evacuated, I was fortunate enough to have a little time. But even with that time, there were things I thought about and things I didn’t. There are definitely things I would do differently today.

I don’t have all the answers. But my experience made me curious, so I’ve done some research since then. And I thought it might be helpful to have this conversation now—when we’re not standing in our homes trying to decide what matters while watching smoke in the distance.

Because what would you actually take?

What if you had to leave right now?

This is the easiest one for me.

People. Pets. Medications. Phone. Wallet or purse. Keys.

And go.

If you’ve been told to evacuate immediately, this isn’t the time to save the photo albums or decide which clothes you might need.

And I would put medications very high on that list. It’s one of those things I hadn’t really thought much about before going through an evacuation. Some things are relatively easy to replace once you’re safe. Prescription medications may not be.

I’d also grab my phone and charger. Your phone becomes incredibly important during an evacuation—emergency alerts, updates, maps, communication with family, hotel reservations, information about the fire. A portable battery bank would be even better if you already have one charged.

If you have pets, get them with you if at all possible. A leash or carrier would be wonderful, but I wouldn’t be hunting around for the perfect collection of pet supplies if I had been told to leave immediately.

The water bowl can be replaced.

The dog can’t.

But what if you had 20 or 30 minutes?

This is where the conversation gets more interesting.

You’ve got everyone safe. The animals are accounted for. You’ve grabbed medications, phones, chargers, wallets and keys.

Now what?

I think this is where I’d start thinking about where I’m going.

Am I going to an evacuation shelter?

Am I going to a hotel?

Am I going to stay with friends or family?

Because those are three very different situations.

If I’m heading to a friend’s house, I probably don’t need to spend precious time grabbing shampoo, towels or a coffee mug.

If I’m not sure where I’m going to sleep that night, I’m probably thinking more about a change of clothes, toiletries, water, snacks and basic necessities.

If I have children with me, there may be one comfort item that makes a scary night a little easier.

And if I have pets, now I want the things I didn’t have time to worry about earlier—the leash, carrier, food, medication and a few basic supplies.

I’d also start thinking about important documents.

Do I know where my insurance information is? Passports? Birth certificates? Important medical information?

Better yet, could I have copies of those things stored digitally so I don’t have to worry about finding them at all?

That’s one of the things this experience has made me think differently about.

And then there’s the question nobody really wants to answer.

What if you had an hour or two and knew there was a possibility your house might not be there when you came back?

That’s different.

You’ve packed the things you need to live for the next few days.

Now you’re looking around your house and asking:

What can’t I replace?

Not what’s expensive.

What’s irreplaceable?

That’s a much harder question.

Maybe it’s the box of old family photographs that have never been scanned.

Maybe it’s your grandmother’s jewelry.

Your kids’ baby books.

Letters your parents wrote.

A family Bible.

Military medals.

A piece of artwork your child made when they were five.

The funny thing is, I think most of us could replace a television without much emotion. But there are things tucked into drawers and closets that may have almost no monetary value and would absolutely break our hearts to lose.

Those are the things I’d want to identify before an evacuation—not during one.

Here’s something else I learned: time changes everything.

There’s a huge difference between having an hour to leave and having five minutes.

And having an hour doesn’t necessarily mean you should use the entire hour.

Fire conditions can change. Roads can become congested. Your normal route out may not be available.

So I wouldn’t look at an evacuation notice and think, “Great, I have time to pack.”

I’d think, “I’m fortunate enough to have a little time. What can I safely do with it?”

And if officials say it’s time to go, I’d go.

I also think we underestimate how hard it is to think clearly.

Sitting here right now, I can make a perfectly reasonable list of what I’d take.

In the moment?

That’s different.

You’re checking your phone. You’re looking outside. You’re calling family. You’re trying to figure out what’s happening. Maybe someone is texting you information that contradicts something you just read online.

And then you’re supposed to calmly walk through the house remembering everything that’s important?

That’s asking a lot of yourself.

Which is why I’ve started thinking that maybe the best evacuation preparation isn’t having a giant emergency kit.

Maybe it’s simply making some of these decisions ahead of time.

Where are the medications?

Where are the pet carriers?

Where are the important documents?

What are the five irreplaceable things I’d want if I had enough time to safely get them?

Where would I go?

And what would I need if I ended up somewhere other than where I expected?

Those aren’t difficult questions today.

They become much harder when there’s a wildfire nearby.

So here’s the question I’ve been asking people.

If someone knocked on your door right now and said:

“You have 20 minutes. You need to leave.”

What would you take?

Could you find it?

And would everyone else in your household know what to grab?

I don’t share this because I think I have evacuation figured out. Quite the opposite. Going through it showed me how many things I had never really considered.

So I’ve been doing some homework. And if sharing what I’ve learned gets a few more Spokane families to have this conversation before they ever need it, I think that’s worthwhile.

More than anything, my heart goes out to the families in our community who didn’t get to go home—who lost their homes, their belongings and pieces of their lives that simply can’t be replaced. It’s heartbreaking, and I know that for many of them, the difficult part doesn’t end when the fire is out.

If you’re one of those families, or you’re still dealing with the aftermath of an evacuation and there’s a way I can help, please reach out. Even if you’re not sure what you need, I’m happy to help however I can or try to connect you with someone who can.

Hopefully, most of us will never have to make these decisions. But I’d much rather have the conversation now than try to figure it all out while watching smoke and wondering how much time I have.