A go bag is an essential tool during natural disasters. Here's how to build your own.

Sherri McKinney, the national spokesperson for the Red Cross, knows just how unpredictable natural disasters can be. She lived through the deadly Nashville tornadoes in 2020 – the 6th costliest tornado in U.S. history. 25 people died, over 300 were injured, and the city suffered 1.6 billion dollars in damage.The tornado hit overnight quickly and unexpectedly, leaving McKinney and others without any time to evacuate ahead of it touching down."Emergencies are more common than people may think, and disasters happen anywhere and any time. It can even begin in someone's own home," said McKinney.McKinney says that proper preparation can make navigating a disaster event less difficult. "Being prepared for any typeLea Crager, FEMA's Ready Campaign Director, says there are still steps you can take to prepare yourself for situations where your access to medical assistance is limited.Crager added that the more prepared you are as a community, the easier it is on first responders. Because there are only so many resources to go around.The Red Cross is helping recovery efforts in Maui, and McKinney is stationed there. Following a disaster like the Maui fires, McKinney says people are most in need of food, water, and clothing. When it comes to a properly stocked go bag, McKinney suggests packing several essential items. Your go bag should be ready with a three-day water supply per person. Make sure that you have foods that are shelf-stable and don't have an expiration date. You should also include first aid supplies.It's important to start slowly building an emergency kit that you can keep nearby, such as in your garage or closet. You can start by buying one item at a time. Or you may opt to create a full list of items you need in your go bag and purchase them in bulk. No matter how you choose to build your go bag, the Red Cross says a go bag should have enough items in it for your entire family for three days."If you live on an island like Puerto Rico, they request you have 7 to 10 days worth of supplies," said Crager. "If logistical chains are broken, it's going to take longer to get aid and relief to some areas. So if you're in a more rural area, you're probably going to need more than someone who's in an area where you're going to have resources readily available."