7 Surprising Reasons EVERYONE Own A Bug Out Bag

By "Just In Case" Jack | Updated: 10/09/2023

Today I’m going to share something controversial

7 Reasons Why EVERY Responsible Adult Should Build A Bug Out Bag

Because flexible survival plans are resilient survival plans.

There are some disasters when staying home becomes a BIGGER threat than leaving. 

  • It doesn’t even matter if your disabled or not
  • Or how much you’ve got stockpiled…

Because sometimes, getting out FAST with a BAG of YOUR stuff can save your life.

And I’m not even talking about SHTF, you need this for many “regular” and local emergencies as well…

Note: If you prefer video watch below (or continue past to keep reading)…

↓ 7 Reasons Why EVERYONE Needs A Bug Out Bag

Now, I’m primarily talking to those folks who DO NOT have a bug-out bag yet…

Folks who say,

“Come hell or high water, there’s no way I’m leaving my home”.

But that’s not wise.

Being so black and white about your survival plans is extremely dangerous.

Bug Out Bag Checklist eBook Cover - a man walking away wearing a military style backpack

Want a free 104 item bug out bag checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

1. Escaping Wildfires

USA Wildfire Deaths Per Year Chart

USA Fire Deaths Per Year 2010 -2019

I often hear folks say,

“I’m never bugging out. There’s no disaster that would force me to leave my home and my supplies.”

My go-to response is,

“Oh yeah, even if your home was directly in the path of a fast-moving wildfire”?

Every year folks choose to hunker down in their homes even after a wildfire evacuation order has been given.

And sometimes, they pay the ultimate price.

For example:

An elderly couple in their 80s chose to stay even though they were directly in the path of the East Troublesome Fire near Grand Lake Colorado.

Per a family statement after the fact, the couple considered their property “heaven on earth.”

They also said “they were in their basement and felt safe.”

They were later found burned alive.

It’s so so so sad and unnecessary!

↓ Watch: Incredible Footage Reveals Extend Of Fast-Moving Wildfire

That’s why we buy home insurance, that’s why we have backup plans, and that’s why you need a bug-out bag.

Just having a bug-out bag gives you peace of mind and flexibility.

And even if you don’t live out west or feel like a wildfire is possible where you live, what if the house next to yours catches fire?

Or what if lightning strikes your home and it’s on fire?

If you place your bug-out bag by your main exit, chances are you can grab a bag of your STUFF on the way out the door…

So, fires are the number one reason to bug out.

And why everyone should own a bug-out bag, ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Bug Out Bag Checklist eBook Cover - a man walking away wearing a military style backpack

Want a free 104 item bug out bag checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

flooded road with sign

2. Escaping Flash Flood Waters

The next reason I think EVERYONE should own a bug-out bag is Flash Floods.

Flash floods are very dangerous; they can be deadly if your house is in the path.

For example, flooding due to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 resulted in more than 100 deaths.

The Houston Metro area received more than 40 inches of rain over 4 days.

The flooding also inundated hundreds of thousands of homes, displaced more than 30,000 people, and prompted more than 17,000 rescues.

I wish these folks had a bug-out bag at the ready.

A bug-out bag helps you realize that sometimes your home can be in danger.

In those times, you must leave your home behind to save yourself.

Flash flooding is NO JOKE.

It nearly always takes people by surprise.

So, you must prepare by having a bug-out bag ready to escape the danger zone FAST.

↓ Dramatic Video As Flash Food Strikes Ellicott City Maryland

Bug Out Bag Checklist eBook Cover - a man walking away wearing a military style backpack

Want a free 104 item bug out bag checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

3. Escaping A Tsunami

The next reason to bug out is if you live close to the coast.

If you do, there’s always a small chance of an offshore earthquake creating a massive Tsunami.

The power and speed of the worst tsunami are beyond comprehension.

↓ How Giant Tsunamis Work?

And if you don’t leave IMMEDIATELY and get to high ground, the oncoming wall of water can easily overtake you.

And if you don’t live in a coastal region, perhaps you occasionally visit one?

You should always carry an Everyday Carry/Bug Out Bag with you.

And if you survive the tsunami, you might be stuck in a very desolate region for several days or weeks.

It can disrupt power, food, electricity, etc.

That’s why it’s smart to have a bag of YOUR STUFF, in case you ever end up in the aftermath of such a disaster.

Bug Out Bag Checklist eBook Cover - a man walking away wearing a military style backpack

Want a free 104 item bug out bag checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Hurricane Katrina Satellite Photo

4. Escaping Hurricanes

Bug-out bags are usually considered quick, grab-n-go bags when danger is moving in FAST and every second counts…

But sometimes, the danger is slow-moving, and you can have weeks or days to see the writing on the wall.

That’s the case with most hurricanes.

In modern societies, hurricanes don’t surprise us the way a wildfire or flash flooding can.

Sure, a hurricane can intensify at the last minute or change its path unexpectedly, but most folks know they are at risk well before it comes to shore.

However, while other folks are packing suitcases and trying to figure out what they should take with them in a chaotic, unorganized manner, you’ve got your bug-out bag already hanging on the wall.

Now you may also decide to take a few MORE items (since you have a bit more time).

But you know, for a FACT, your bug-out bags covered your basic survival needs and prepper supplies.

If you end up in a shelter, a hotel in another state, or a friend’s house to ride out the storm, you’ll have a bag of YOUR STUFF.

You might have a sleeping pad, a bit of extra food, some playing cards, some extra socks and underwear, your own hand-crank radio, etc.

The point is:

With a bug out bag, you’re not helplessly relying on others to protect, inform, feed, or clothe you…

Bug Out Bag Checklist eBook Cover - a man walking away wearing a military style backpack

Want a free 104 item bug out bag checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

Guy In Hoodie Looking Over Cityscape

5. Long Term Power Outages

Most power outages are short-term – lasting only a few hours or days.

But occasionally, they can turn into even longer events.

  • What happens if the power grid is down for even longer?
  • Or what if the power outage occurs with freezing temps for days on end?

You might need to seek shelter or drive to a friend’s place…

Now, I try not to predict the future.

I don’t waste time on doomsday scenarios or end-of-the-world predictions.

Instead, I focus on being more resilient no matter the emergency.

But I’m also aware that a massive EMP from a nuclear explosion or a solar flare from the sun COULD theoretically knock out power grids and electrical components.

Now, if you have a backup generator and/or an alternative heat source (wood stoves, kerosene heaters), etc., it’s possible you can ride out any power outages at home.

But for those who DON’T have the means or the stockpiles in place, your best bet is to vacate the blackout zone until the power can be restored.

Your bug-out bag would be one of the first things you’d throw in your trunk on your way out the door.

Bug Out Bag Checklist eBook Cover - a man walking away wearing a military style backpack

Want a free 104 item bug out bag checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

6. Riots, Civil Unrest Or War

I know it seems farfetched for most Americans, but the political tensions in the US (and worldwide) are no laughing matter.

Recently, there have been more and more violent clashes between groups of people.

These protests and counter-protests have led to riots, anarchy, and arson.

Even small towns and suburbs might not be safe if an all-out Civil War were to break out.

And if you live elsewhere worldwide, these riots and wars may already be a daily reality.

So, if you’d rather NOT participate in these events and avoid becoming an innocent victim of the madness, it makes sense to flee the danger zone until things cool down.

Because these types of conflicts can escalate FAST without prior warning.

And if your home is near the worst of the violence, you may need to grab your bug-out bag, hit the road, and watch the news from a safe distance.

Of course, looting and arson are legitimate concerns.

But keep good records and have good home insurance instead of staying in the path of destruction and unnecessarily putting your life at risk.

Bug Out Bag Checklist eBook Cover - a man walking away wearing a military style backpack

Want a free 104 item bug out bag checklist?

Click here to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary.

7. Everyday Carry / Get Home Bag

Disasters won’t strike when it happens to be most convenient for you.

Something may happen when you’re away from home or on vacation.

That’s why I like to keep my bug-out bag extremely light and use it as my EDC bag (Everyday carry bag) and my Get Home Bag.

So, if you can keep your bug-out bag extremely light, you can also do this.

You don’t need 50 or 60 lbs. of gear.

Instead, try to keep it at 20 or 25 lbs.

That way, you’ll feel more comfortable taking your bug-out bag with you anytime you leave the house.

I like knowing I have some basic medical supplies, a water filter, some Pepper Spray, a small sleeping pad, some playing cards, some food, etc., with me at ALL TIMES.

Final Thoughts

There you go, 7 reasons to bug out.

But Bugging Out is just one aspect of living a resilient life.

So, if you are new to preparedness, perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed; if this is you, I recommend you check out our 10 Steps To Basic Preparedness.

And if you’ve been doing this for a while, I recommend you check out our popular prepper community called TheResilientLife

We like to call it,

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