San Diego Evacuation Checklist: What to Grab in 5 Minutes vs. an Hour

When disaster strikes, every second counts.

In San Diego County, that could mean a fast-moving wildfire, flooding during a winter storm or another emergency that gives you minutes, not hours, to get out.

Would you know what to grab first?

Here's a simple two-tier checklist. Save it, print it and stick it inside a cabinet door. Better yet, pack a bag today.

Tier 1: Grab-and-go (minutes)

If you only have a few minutes, focus on what you can't replace and what you'll need right away.

• Important documents: IDs, passports, insurance papers, deeds and emergency contacts
• Medications and first aid: prescriptions, inhalers, EpiPens and glasses
• Phones and chargers: your lifeline for updates and staying in touch. Add a charged power bank.
• Keys: car, house, anything essential for getting around
• Pets and supplies: leash, carrier, food and water
• Clothes and hygiene essentials: extra socks, a toothbrush and a go-bag by the door
• Fireproof safe: for irreplaceable documents and valuables

Tip: Most of this list can be packed now. A go-bag by the door turns a panicked scramble into a 60-second exit.

Tier 2: Extended evacuation (if you have more time)

If you have an hour or more, add:

• Extra food and water: a few days' supply for you, your family and your pets
• Laptops and external hard drives: to protect your digital life
• Sentimental valuables: family photos, heirlooms and jewelry
• Emergency tools: flashlights, batteries, a multi-tool and masks for smoke
• Fireproof box: birth certificates, Social Security cards and your home title documents

Pro tip: take a video walkthrough of your home today

If wildfires or other disasters are a risk where you live, record a slow video walkthrough of your home before anything happens:

• Open closets, cabinets and drawers
• Narrate what you see, including brands, approximate age and price for big items
• Capture the garage, backyard and any outbuildings
• Store it in the cloud, not just on your phone

If you ever need to file an insurance claim, this video can make a big difference in documenting what you owned.

Make a plan, not just a bag

• Know two ways out of your neighborhood
• Pick a meeting spot outside the area
• Sign up for local emergency alerts for San Diego County
• Practice with your family, including who grabs the pets

Review your insurance while you're at it

Disasters are when homeowners find out what their policy actually covers. Check your coverage limits, whether you're covered for additional living expenses if you're displaced, and whether you need separate flood coverage.

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Questions about insurance, the FAIR Plan or protecting your home's value? Talk to our team.

Related reading: San Diego Homeowner's Fall Prep Guide: Heat, Power Shutoffs and El Niño Storms