“I wonder if it would be wise to just always have a “maternity bag” type thing packed.”
It’s called a Bug Out Bag. Preppers (and those preparing for a zombie apocalypse 
) love to discuss what to put in their Bug Out Bag. You can find lots of info online depending on what type of emergency/disaster you are preparing for. Some of the stuff is pretty scary and apocalyptic.
We have a spreadsheet with all policy numbers, account numbers, etc. Also digital photos of home contents, scanned-in important documents, etc. Every year or whenever there are important updates, we copy everything to CDs or flash drives and leave copies at my husband’s office and our parents’ houses. We also keep our hard copy important documents in a fire box.
@doschicos when I get pregnant, I’m totally calling my maternity bag a “Bug Out Bag.” I have no idea why, but that’s really hit my funny bone.
Side note: before any of this started, I joked a few weeks ago that we could make a lot of money by making accessible fall out shelters. I mean, not all preppers can be able-bodied, right? But I’ve never seen one that’s wheelchair accessible or with braille etc etc.
(end of tangent)
We’ve scanned all our important documents and information and put them in a Dropbox file shared with the family. That way we or any of the kids can remotely produce copies of health insurance cards, passports, SS numbers, licenses, homeowners insurance policies, medication lists and the like. It came in handy once when one of our kids lost their ID when flying home. The TSA was willing to accept the copy of their passport on their phone as proof they were who they said they were. Just today my daughter had to give her SS number to renew her license. Neither of us could remember it so we just pulled up the Dropbox file.
In Texas, you can store immunization records with the state on ImmuTrac. Our pediatrician participates and my DS signed a form to continue tracking as an adult.
We realized that keeping the gas tank full was useful just to be able to run the car so we could listen to the radio. If you email yourself pictures they’ll probably be accessible even if the phone gets ruined. Back in the day, I kept negatives in the safe deposit box. I should probably put a DVD or two of photos.
I’m really wondering what kind of inappropriate file you are recommending, @Sue22! :-?
We are so installing a Powerwall when Mr. gets his EV.
We have all digital pix on two external hard drives. They are in the safe deposit box.
You’ll have to use your imagination! 
The asterisks have replaced the name of the commercial company that does the online data storage I was talking about. Not salacious at all but probably against the TOS rules about advertising.
In a zombie apocalypse, looters will take all of your possessions anyway, so no use to prepare. Yesterday looters shot at Cajun Navy rescuer and tried to take their boats. So, I would rather be prepared to fight and defend my family.
That’s why a lot of Bug Out Bags are weapon and ammo heavy, @mycupoftea.
Wow, thank you all for the great suggestions. There is a lot here to consider.
@busdriver11 , thank you so very much. Rain has stopped, Harvey has moved on to torment East Texas and Louisiana, and we are not in the areas that will be affected by the overflow from any of the rivers or dams. But, a first pass of the photos will get done right away @SyrAlum, I had heard of Last Pass, so thanks the confirmation that it works.
I hope the discussion continues. It’s amazing how similar the preparations are, even though the possible emergencies are quite different.
The Cajun Navy shooting thing isn’t entirely clear.
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_feda3cc4-8caa-11e7-b39a-e35508b0d6ac.html
Always lots of rumors after a disaster.
@MOM2TX please just stay safe.
From the link above: “Cain described a chaotic scene out on the floodwaters. He says some people are posing as rescuers and are robbing people. He says the Cajun Navy is being very careful when they approach stores that may be the target of looters.”
Lovely! What kind of creature poses as a rescuer to rob people who’ve already lost so much. I did see several videos on TV news channels showing hordes of looters captured by security cameras. Most of them are young fit people. I would not want to confront them.
Sunday night there was loud banging on my apartment door at about 9 pm. The smell of gas had been reported on the floor of my apartment building, and it was the fire dept checking to see if my gas was on for my stove. It wasn’t – but my next door neighbor’s was! She darned near blew up her apartment and probably mine. Fire dept ended up not evacuating us, but it made me reassess being ready to go in an emergency.
I already keep “go bags” in both bedrooms in case of an earthquake, and make sure all guests & kids know about them, and also keep shoes next to their beds. The go bags have ponchos, space blankets, water, granola bars, a large sweatshirt that would fit most anyone, flashlight, extra batteries, some cash, and an emergency whistle. We can get out fast and be okay for at least a few hours even in cold rainy weather. I’d grab my purse on the way out, too.
A couple things I’m thinking of adding:
I try to keep my car at least half full of gas at all times, too.
I’d put your information on a password protected online storage site instead. You won’t be able to access a thumb drive from your phone or from a newer MacBook Pro, and it won’t work as backup if the disaster happens while you’re away from home and unable to get to your bag.
Another thing I’d add is a hand cranked solar flashlight/phone charger. If you’re stuck in place with a dying cell phone and no power it can literally be a life saver.
Sorry… I just don’t trust online (or all in one place) password software. If it is hacked, it is all over. I work in IT & info security, and I keep a paper list. No electronic version. I can just reset passwords as needed, too.
@intparent so glad you’re safe.
Quicker than photos is video. Just walk around the room slowly and point your phone/camera at every surface. And make sure the video is date stamped. And keep it up to date, like every 6 months. You get new stuff, you get rid of old stuff and if your photos are three years old the insurance company is going to want to quibble with you.