7 Reasons To Bug Out: Why EVERYONE Should Own A Bug Out Bag

By Just In Case Jack |
Last Updated: July 23, 2021

Flexible survival plans are resilient survival plans. Because there are some disasters when staying home becomes a bigger threat than leaving. But some people need to hear ALL the best reasons to bug out.

So, in today’s video, my goal is to convince you beyond a doubt that EVERYONE should have 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.

It’s extremely dangerous to be so black and white about your survival plans. You have to have flexibility built-in.

Ok, so let’s go over 7 Reasons why I think EVERYONE should own a bug out bag.

1. Escaping Wildfires

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 80’s choose 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!

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 moment’s notice.

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 and if your house is in the path, it can be deadly.

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 a 4-day period.

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

I sure wish these folks would have had a bug out bag at the ready. Just having a bug out bag, helps you realize that sometimes your home can be directly in the path of danger.

It’s in those times, that you must leave your home behind to save yourself.

Flash flooding is NO JOKE. It nearly always takes people by surprise.

So, you need to be prepared by having a bug out bag at-the-ready to get out of the danger zone FAST.

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.

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? We’ll then you should be carrying an Everyday Carry/Bug Out Bag with you at all times.

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.

4. Escaping Hurricanes

Bug out bags are usually thought of as a quick, grab-n-go bag 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 decide to take a few MORE items as well (since you have a bit more time) but you know for a FACT your bug out bags got your basic survival needs and prepper supplies covered.

That way, 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, you’re not helplessly relying on others to protect you or inform you, or feed you, or cloth you…

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. But what happens if the power grid was down for an even longer period of time?

Or what if the power outage occurs with freezing cold temps for days on end?

Well, 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 my efforts 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.

6. Riots, Civil Unrest Or War

I know it seems farfetched for most American’s but the political tensions in the US (and around the world) are no laughing matter.

In recent times, 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 may not be safe if all-out Civil War were to break out.

And if you live anywhere else around the world, these types of riots and war may already be a daily reality for you.

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

Because these types of conflicts can escalate FAST without prior warning. And if your home is anywhere near the worst of the violence, you may need to grab your bug out bag, hit the road, and keep an eye on the news from a safe distance.

Of course, looting and arson is a legitimate concern, but keep good records and have good home insurance instead of staying in the path of destruction and putting your life at risk unnecessarily.

7 – Everyday Carry / Get Home Bag

Disasters won’t strike when happens to be most convenient for you. It’s very possible something happens when you’re away from home or on vacation.

That’s why I like to keep my bug out bag extremely light and also 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 do this as well. 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, a bit of food, etc. with me at ALL TIMES.

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 about now, if this is you, then I recommend you check out our 10 Steps To Basic Preparedness.

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

We like to call it,

“The Antidote To All Of Life’s Uncertainties…”

So, until next time, prepare, adapt, and overcome.

“Just In Case” Case

P.s. Do you know where the closest nuclear bunker is from your home?

There are a lot of natural nuclear shelters in the US that are absolutely free. And one of them is near your home.

Click here to see the Closest Natural Nuclear Bunker to Your Home?

Click on the image above to find out where you need to take shelter.