You probably would like carrying a barrel even less, I suspect.

The SealLine Pro Portage looks like the way to go. I haven't used one, but it appears to have a decent adjustable (and removable) suspension system.

I feel very lucky to live in a place that is not prone to any natural disasters. Most of my plans are for bugging IN. Like for the occasional heavy snowstorm that could trap us in the house for a few days. Compared to what others have to plan for, getting through a snowstorm is a piece of cake (relatively).

Even my version of a mobile Bug Out Bag is really a Bug In bag geared towards surviving in a stranded car for a few days.

So my Bug Out Bag would definitely NOT survive the Harvey test. Not even close.

A properly waterproofed backpack is actually difficult to sink.

a heavy plastic liner is a major bit of canoe tripping gear.
several sizes are avalible.i put an old liner in my Duluth pack and a new one inside that.the old one protects the inner bag.
more than once I have had packs floating in the bilge water during heavy rain.

If you can find one big enough, Zip-lock makes bags more than big enough for a moderate size duffle bag. Stick it in the end pocket of duffle when not needed. I keep an overnight bag with one in the trunk for when work sends me on site visits. It's normal use is for dirty clothes but will do double duty.

I have not had very good luck with those extra large zip locks. The plastic is thick enough, but the closure is not reliable. I prefer contractor grade bags, they are larger, more durable, and you can close them easily.

After some more pondering...

An tyre inner tube is the way to improve the buoyancy of a bag suitably waterproofed. And if on land, and need a fire going in wet conditions a bit of rubber does the trick.

No disagreement that a rucksack can float in deep enough water, just flood water may not be that deep.

Wildman800, I agree with your point concerning logistics. I think what most of us do is to easily get lost in the supply side of it. We tend to think in terms of amount; usually a lot. We don't think about time, duration, mobility, and destination in light of our situation. I feel that people need to closely read hot washes and after action reports from any source that they can be attained. And, of course, the input and insights of the Forum members is a great resource. I look forward to your AAR.

Re-packing some kits...learning from stories on the news...

a case for extra currency in case of a weather emergency ... my military service was from Feb 1970 to the end of the air war in Aug 73 with duty stations in Japan and the Philippines, and multiple TDY to Okinawa and Thailand...spending a lot of off duty time frequenting establishments that served adult beverages served by young female local nationals...to a person, all of the older bar girls wore what we called baht bracelets or "di di mao" (Vietnamese for to leave quickly) bracelets... the baht (Thai) bracelets were inscribed with the weight in grams of the gold that the charm contained...when they accrued a little more money they converted it to another gold charm... they carried their wealth with them, and if threatened, could flee at a moment's notice

faced with a situation with wide spread prolonged power outage as those reported in Puerto Rico, where ATMs, and credit card readers are not operable, coupled with reported runs on banks that could exhaust their cash reserves, you might want to evaluate the amount of currency you have on hand.., perhaps stashing an extra couple hundred in small bills might be a good idea during certain high threat seasons of the year...