No stranger to emergency evacuation, Gnomie Michael Rivera (mrivera1 in our chat room and on YouTube) writes:

Hey Chris,

I’ve seen all of your top 5 lists and I decided to make one that I wished that I had when this was happening to me. I am 15 years old and I have lived through two evacuations relating to the wildfires here in San Diego, CA. (October 2003 and October 2007). We all agree that our tech is some of the most valuable stuff in our homes, and it can become very difficult deciding what to bring (believe me, I would know), especially if the stuff you leave behind has the possibility of being destroyed. So I have created a top 5 list of things that you should definitely bring whenever you are being evacuated (whether it’s because of a fire, hurricane, tornado, landslide, flood, or whatever).

1. Your Computer/Computers
   This is most likely the most important thing in your house besides your important documents. All of the computers you have should be brought in case of an evacuation. Just think of all of the important files and programs you have on your systems. It would be a tiring process trying to recover all of that (if it can be recovered). So bring your systems and any of the documentation and restore disks that came with them. It would be very disheartening if you had to reinstall Windows or Mac OS X or any of the OEM software and you discovered that you no longer had the OEM restore disks. Sometimes, however, the restore program is on a disk partition, but bring all of the disks that came with the computer. Also, bring all of the important hardware that you have, like printers, keyboards, mice, routers, etc. You will need those if you plan on using your computer right away. Don’t forget the documentation and driver disks for those. And don’t forget the original disks for any programs that you use or are planning to use, as well as the box and documentation that came with them. It will be a big loss to no longer have those.

2. Any Equipment From Your Telecommunications Provider
   If you have any modems, routers, set top boxes, etc. that were loaned to you by a telecommunications provider, be sure to bring them. The company will be very happy you have saved its equipment (and money). That doesn’t mean climb on top of your house during a mandatory evacuation to retrieve a satellite dish, but save the set top box. In addition, bring any of the documentation that came with those devices.

3. Cell Phones
   This should be a given thing. Your cell phone is the most important thing you should have with you at all times. So be sure to bring your cell phone or phones, accessories, the boxes and documentation that came with them, and the original contract you signed. With the cell phone, you will be able to keep tabs with family and friends who will probably worry (like everybody I know did) when they hear you are being evacuated.

4. Portable Media Devices & Video Game Consoles
   This may not seem like much, but think. How are you (or your spouse or kids) going to relieve stress and try to prevent boredom and fright when you are waiting for news of what’s going on? iPods, Zunes, and other portable devices as well as Xbox 360s, PlayStations, Wiis, PSPs, etc. make a great way to keep yourself occupied when you don’t know what is going on. (Don’t forget games!)

5. Radios Or Small TV Sets/DVD Players/VCRs
   During a widespread emergency situation, it is always important to stay informed, whether you are at an evacuation center, or at a friend or family member’s home. So if you are not sure of whether or not you will be able to have good access to the important information broadcast over the airwaves, be sure to bring a radio preferably (AM/FM, at least; XM and Sirius are even better) and/or a small TV set. That way, wherever you are, you will be able to stay informed and entertained.

And that’s it. Be sure to bring all of the documentation for all of the tech you have. And don’t forget your important documents!