Well this is less of a hypothetical for me now. I now can say what I would save in an evacuation. This of course assumes a fair amount of warning/time. Honestly, I really didn't start packing very early. I didn't think Foothill Ranch was at risk. My neighbors across the street helped convince me of that. So I stalled, not wanting to feel silly and overreact. But then, the fire came to the top of the canyon, and I had to leave. I had only a few things at first layed out on the couch, just in case. But when it became more and more real I methodically went through the entire house, opened every cabinet and drawer and saved what I felt could not be replaced or things I would need to just get by for a while.
Here is what I took:
First to evacuate - the bikes. Especially the irreplaceable chrome Harley
Harley-Davidson VRSCB V-Rod
Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic
Files/Important Papers
Framed Pictures
Photo Albums
Painting I got in Ecuador
"Ill Repute" painting friend made for me
My more expensive suits
Selection of clothing - Just shoved stuff into bags (it's funny, I was selective enough to leave behind those clothes I didn't like that much. Also didn't save any dress pants)
My Ties (why, I have no idea. Guess I need them to work. Need work for money. Need money to rebuild life if everything burned. Or maybe it was just panic.
)
Boxes of memories
Small box with all my concert tickets
50th golden mickey ears that we got for free on the actual 50th
Binders with 401k, stock portfolio, Roth IRA information
Small box of pins
A cool chrome art deco-ish hair dryer (Last minute add. I just bought it the day before with NA and Euro and I'll be damned if I was going to give it up already)
A chest full of things from my living room
A drawer or two with items in it
A small Figment statue I got when I was a kid
A model of my Lightning
Window stickers for my cars
My SVT Authenticity certificate for my Lightning
High school and college diplomas
Journals
A hand made pipe from ecuador
My guns
and my trusty swiss army knife...from Switzerland
And of course, my cars:
Saleen S-351 Mustang
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Ford SVT Lightning
Here is what I almost forgot in the final rush and panic:
My freaking computer (the first thing I intended to save)
Cell phone charger
Here is what I forgot:
External HDD
DVR with all my recorded shows