Mexico’s emergency backpack: what to pack for earthquakes and hurricanes
Mexico’s civil protection guidance asks every family to have a mochila de emergencia (emergency backpack) and a family civil protection plan. CENAPRED recommends water and tinned food for at least two days, a first aid kit, a battery radio and torch, copies of documents in a waterproof bag, keys and cash. We recommend planning for 72 hours, with 3 litres (0.8 US gal) of water per person per day.
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The family plan comes first
Mexico’s National Disaster Prevention Centre (CENAPRED) builds its advice around a Plan Familiar de Protección Civil: know the risks where you live, identify safe areas and exits at home, agree a meeting point in case the family is apart, keep emergency numbers and documents ready, and practise in the national drills (simulacros). The backpack supports that plan; it does not replace it.
What to pack in the mochila de emergencia
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Water: 3 L (0.8 US gal) per person per day, ideally for 72 hours | Mexican guides suggest at least 2 L a day for 48 hours |
| Tinned and dry food, plus a manual tin opener | No cooking or fridge needed |
| First aid kit and everyday medicines | Pharmacies may be closed |
| Battery radio and torch with spare batteries | Information and light if the power fails |
| Copies of documents in a waterproof bag | Birth and marriage certificates, CURP, INE card, deeds, insurance policies |
| Spare house and car keys | |
| Cash in small notes and coins | Card terminals and cash machines may fail |
| Glasses, hygiene items, a change of clothes, a blanket | Comfort if you can’t go home |
| Whistle, paper and pen, contact list | To call for help and keep in touch |
| Baby formula, nappies, pet food | If you need them |
Mexico City’s civil protection calls it the mochila de vida. We suggest one per person, adapted to each family member. Keep it near the exit, and make sure everyone knows where it is. Copies of documents can also be kept at a relative’s home in another area, as CENAPRED advises. More on that in emergency cash and documents.
Earthquake alerts on your phone
Mexico has had the SASMEX seismic alert system with loudspeakers for decades. In 2025 the government added a mass alert system that reaches mobile phones by cell broadcast: during the national drill of 19 September 2025, an alert was sent to around 80 million phones. You need mobile signal and emergency alerts switched on:
- Android: Settings → Notifications → Advanced settings → Wireless emergency alerts → turn on.
- iPhone: Settings → Notifications → Government alerts → turn on all options.
No data, credit or app is required. For help, the government set up the 079 line.
Earthquake, hurricane, flood: what to add
| Risk | Regions | Add to the kit |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquakes | Pacific coast, centre, Mexico City | Sturdy shoes, work gloves, whistle, head torch |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | Pacific and Gulf coasts, Yucatán Peninsula | More water and food, a waterproof bag, a plan to evacuate early |
| Floods | River valleys and low urban areas | Dry bag for documents, rubber boots |
| Heat | Much of the country in spring and summer | Extra water, rehydration salts, a battery fan |
For hurricanes and storms, follow the national weather service and state civil protection, and leave early if you are told to.
Our recommended items
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency backpack | The mochila itself | Padded straps | Check price on Amazon |
| Crank and solar radio | News without power | FM/AM, USB | Check price on Amazon |
| LED head torch | Hands-free light | AAA batteries | Check price on Amazon |
| Waterproof document pouch | Copies of documents | Zip seal | Check price on Amazon |
| Whistle and foil blanket | Being found, staying warm | Compact | Check price on Amazon |
We don’t list prices because they change often. Use the button to see the current price on Amazon.
Mexico links on our site open Amazon.com. For the difference between a backpack and a home reserve, see bug-out bag vs home kit.
Questions people ask
What should a mochila de emergencia contain in Mexico?
Water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, a battery radio and torch with spare batteries, copies of documents (birth certificates, CURP, INE voter card, deeds, insurance) in a waterproof bag, spare keys, cash, everyday medicines, glasses, a change of clothes, hygiene items, a whistle and a list of contacts.
How much water should I keep for an emergency in Mexico?
Mexican guides suggest at least 2 litres per person per day for 48 hours. In hot regions and for 72 hours, we recommend 3 litres (0.8 US gal) per person per day: 9 litres (2.4 US gal) each.
How do I receive the earthquake alert on my phone in Mexico?
Turn on wireless emergency alerts. On Android: Settings, Notifications, Advanced, Wireless emergency alerts. On iPhone: Settings, Notifications, Government alerts. No data, credit or app is needed, only mobile signal.
What is the emergency number in Mexico?
911, free from any phone, for police, ambulance, fire and civil protection.
What should I do during an earthquake?
Follow your family plan: move away from windows, go to the safe area you identified beforehand, and if you can’t get out safely, protect your head and neck. Don’t use lifts. Mexico’s drill motto is “no corro, no grito, no empujo” (I don’t run, shout or push).
Keep reading
- Bug-out bag vs home emergency kit
- How much cash to keep at home, and which documents to copy
- How much water to store for 72 hours
- /kits/evacuation-bag/
Sources
- CENAPRED: Elabora tu Plan Familiar de Protección Civil (PDF, in Spanish)
- Mexico, CENAPRED (National Disaster Prevention Centre)
- Mexico: 911 emergency number
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Build a kit
- American Red Cross: Survival kit supplies
- El País México, Simulacro nacional del 19 de septiembre de 2025: la alerta sísmica en celulares, 19 September 2025 (in Spanish)