The unimaginable has happened and a disaster has struck where you live. You are probably not in the epicenter of the disaster, or you would be dead. The only thing you need to worry about is getting out of this place alive. Here is how you do that.
First, look outside. If there is a mushroom cloud around the area that has been destroyed, you need to know which way it is going. Check the winds. Whatever way they are blowing is the way that the mushroom cloud is going, along with all the dangerous chemicals and deadly debris inside it. You want to stay away from this cloud as much as possible. If you cannot see the cloud, assume that it is over you and stay put. This will cause you to have to “shelter in place”. That means you need to stay put until the authorities come for you. If this was a nuclear or biological attack, you will want to be inside to keep safe from any chemicals that may be in the air.
If you are a few miles away from the disaster site, you will be caught in traffic if you try to leave in your car. Roller skates or a bike will be faster to get out of the area with and you will not run out of gas. If the mushroom cloud is away from you, get out while you can. It is ideal that you have a “go bag” which has everything you will need in it, but most people do not have one. Take as much water and canned food with you, preferably in a backpack, and leave. You can lock your home if you want to, but you may not be coming back, so take all the important things you need to have and leave all the extra stuff, like jewelry. Cash may be helpful, but documents that prove who you are and medications are a must to have with you. Having a radio and batteries will also help you stay up to date with everything that is happening with the disaster.
If you have children, picking them up from school could be a nightmare. They will be in lock down after this disaster anyway and will be safe. Leaving them there while you try to find a temporarily safe place to stay would be the smartest thing. Panicking and trying to storm their school to get them could get you thrown in jail or shot by a police officer. Find a safe place for them, secure it as much as you can, then go back and get them. Chances are a lot of the panicked parents will be gone by the time you return to get your children and it will not be a problem getting them out of school. If they have bikes, that would be very helpful. Empty out their backpacks and stop by the house to get more food and water. Do not worry too much about clothing. One or two changes should do, but water and food are the most important things to pack.
If you have a baby, packing for them can be a little tricky when you are upset. Remember a few common sense things. 1. You don’t have to take all their bottles. Take two and a bunch of water. You can rinse the bottles out and refill them with water once the formula is done. 2. Take a new can of formula, if you have it. 3. Diapers usually come in a bag, so grab the whole thing. You never know how long you’ll be gone or how many you’ll need. Pack as much of this in their diaper bag as you can.
If your spouse is not home, trying to call them will be next to impossible. The first place they will try to check is home, so leave them a note with directions about where you are. Draw them a map, if you can, and tell them that you have the children. If you have two way radios, take one and leave one for them. Take extra batteries with you and try their radio every 15 to 20 minutes. Try not to worry. They will find you.
Do yourself a favor and take whatever weapon you have at home with you. People will do things that you have never seen before and you need to protect your family. Get to your temporary shelter and wait for the disaster to pass.