Tornado Planning

Jill asked a good question on the Black Bag Resources facebook page regarding the recent tornado in Oklahoma:
I have a serious question. We have a safe with all our identification, etc.. bug out bags.. prepped.. what happens when the tornado rips the safe and bags away? What else can we do to prep for those scenarios?? I know there are keyfob tjings to store your id documents on but what good does it do if it's gone too??
We often discuss the difference between "shelter in place" vs "bug out" scenarios. I always advocate sheltering in place if possible, and evacuating only as a last resort. That probably comes as no surprise, but let's address Jill's question- what do you do when your shelter has been destroyed and your supplies, bug out bags, and entire "parachute" is gone? 
The answer is: Plan C. Plan C (or Plan B2 depending on how you look at it) is a type of evacuation plan. Plan B would be a properly supplied evacuation to  predetermined retreat location. That is a key element to your evacuation plan, and one that still applies if everything is lost to a tornado. Let's assume you have already worked out your Plan A to shelter in place and have all your bases covered. Your Plan B to evacuate is also complete. Time to start working on Plan C- stocking your retreat location. Your retreat location is simply your fall back point, a safe place, most likely the home of a friend or family member. You will need to stock redundant stores there as a back up to your stores at home, and the scaled down supplies you've packed in your Bug Out Bag, maybe just a complete second BOB. If that poses too much of a financial burden, maybe you can work out an agreement with your teammates. You have a store of supplies at your house, they have a supply at theirs, so you simply agree to look out for eachother. This violates the "ticket" principle, but it is a realistic alternative.
Keep in mind that you are never really at zero. In theory, you should still have your Every Day Carry items, and possibly your Get Home Bag in your vehicle. Salvage what you can, and stage your gear if possible. You know if you live in an area where tornadoes are common because you've done a thorough threat assessment when examining your preps, so stage that BOB with you when you take shelter from the storm. Most importantly, you have your brain. Keep your wits about you. Understand that you can overcome. Maintain your positive mental attitude. You may have to improvise, and that is never easy nor comfortable, but you can do it.


Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the recent tornado in Moore, OK.

As always,Black Bag Resources encourages you to join the National Rifle Association.