Bugging Out: Knowing Your Triggers

Disasters don’t send invitations—they crash in hard, with wildfires blazing, hurricanes tearing

through, and floods swallowing towns whole. You’re left with that split-second call: stay put or get out? On Episode 314 of The Changing Earth Podcast, Chin Gison and I dug into this tough choice, inspired by the raw chaos of my Changing Earth Audio Drama series. Think of Swenson lounging in the Supreme General’s mansion, all confident until the food ran out. Real life can be just as unforgiving, and that’s why you need a solid plan locked down now. The key is setting your triggers ahead of time—those clear signals that tell you when to move—so you’re not caught second-guessing when the pressure’s on.

Listen to the Podcast

Skill One: Set Your Triggers

Triggers are about knowing when to call it. Chin and I talked this through: you’ve got to pick your breaking points when your head’s clear, not when smoke’s clogging your lungs or riots are two blocks away. Wildfires move fast—I’ve seen them chew up miles in minutes where I’ve lived, and Swenson’s smug mansion stay didn’t last once supplies dried up. Decide now what’ll make you go: maybe the fire crosses the ridge, or a hurricane hits Category 3. Social unrest, like TJ’s rage simmering over in the capital, gets trickier—how close is it, how organized, how long will it hang around? Chin pointed out social media can tip you off early if you sift through the noise. The trick is to avoid letting emotion take over; set those markers cold. Urban Survival Site lists 11 solid triggers—evac orders, storms rolling in, markets tanking (https://urbansurvivalsite.com/events-time-bug-out/)—and it’s worth a look. In the drama, no Mr. Lee showed up to spell it out for Swenson; you won’t get that luxury either. Nail down your line, and stick to it.

Skill Two: Prep to Bolt

When it’s time to go, you’ve got five minutes—tops. Your go-bag, critical documents like birth certificates and insurance papers, and must-haves need to be staged and ready, no digging through closets in a panic. Wildfires taught me that lesson the hard way—flames don’t wait for you to find your wallet. Stockpile the basics: food, water, meds. Water’s the big one—city mains can fail fast, and you don’t want to be begging the National Guard for a bottle. Plan for a gallon per person per day, at least three days’ worth, sealed up tight. Toss in fire blankets for emergencies, a radio to catch updates, and paracord for quick fixes—tie a tarp or lash a splint. Test your setup: can you grab that trailer and roll, or ditch it clean? Chin and I laughed about me being the “tiny target” unhooking in a rush. Javier’s sneaky raid on Pine Springs in the series gave no heads up—your gear’s got to be grab-and-go, or you’re sunk.

Skill Three: Navigate Escape Routes

You need to know your way out, and one route won’t cut it. Main roads jam up quick—Chin’s 24-hour hurricane crawl is proof of that. I’ve talked neighbors into letting me cut across their land when the highway turned into a parking lot. Map it out: topographical lines, backroads, even footpaths if it comes to it. Wildfires might torch one exit, floods could swamp another. Pick your signal—fire past the ridge, water at the curb—and move. Floods in places like North Carolina, Russia, and Japan show how fast roads disappear; I’ve watched cars get swept away by people who didn’t turn back. Chin and I both keep inflatable boats handy—cheap, easy to pack, and a total game-changer. Load your gear, drag it along, and you’re still breathing. Even a basic raft beats wading through sludge. Test those routes—drive them, walk them, know who’s along the way. Javier’s raid blindsided Pine Springs; having backup escapes could’ve changed everything. Plan your outs, and you won’t be boxed in.

Skill Four: Weigh Stay-or-Go Scenarios

Sometimes staying’s an option, sometimes it’s a trap—it’s all about reading the room. Wildfires? My firefighter friends once rode out a blaze under a sprinkler truck, wrapped in blankets. It sounds wild, but it worked. If you’ve got a cleared space and a solid fallback exit, you might hold. Hurricanes give you a little warning—Chin’s gone at Category 4, but I’d bounce at 3 if my roof’s iffy. Even a Category 1 with a big surge can flood you out if you’re in a low lying spot; book a hotel early, because Chin’s right—a lost deposit’s better than camping in your car with kids. Tornadoes switch it up—hunker down in an interior room unless your place is flimsy; mobile homes don’t stand a chance. Know your shelters, both your main spot and a backup, since they fill up fast when sirens hit. Social unrest, like TJ’s fury in the capital, shifts the ground again—a locked door won’t stop a mob. Businesses get hit, homes might be next. I sell insurance; stuff’s covered. Lives? You don’t get a redo. Chin’s best line stuck with me: emotion can kill you. Smoke in your chest or riots closing in, you’ll freeze without a pre-set call. Swenson’s stay didn’t pan out; weigh it smart.

Putting It Together

Episode 314 ties it all up: Swenson’s mansion crumbles, Javier’s raid stings, TJ’s rage flares, and no Mr. Lee rides in to save the day. Chin and I broke it down—disasters demand triggers, gear, routes, and a clear head. Keep an eye on weather apps, radar, smoke maps like firesmoke.ca—I slept through Hurricane Laurel an hour away once, pure dumb luck. Wildfires are burning Spain; floods are soaking Congo, hail’s pounding Turkey—Earth’s changing fast, with glaciers melting, quakes rumbling, and fires spreading. Set your “go” signal, stage your kit, map your escapes, and figure your odds. You’ve got the edge if you prep; it’s up to you to use it.