When Disaster Strikes
Unfortunately, natural disasters can happen to anyone but you can make sure that your family is prepared in the wake of a
disaster. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and fires may force people to evacuate their
homes or damage and destroy property. You may need to have a plan for your family's safety, basic needs like food, water
and shelter, and any other financial emergencies.
What to have ready
Forms of Identification
Driver's licenses, state I.D. cards, insurance cards, Social Security cards, passports, and birth certificates. These
documents will be extremely important if you or your family need to rebuild lost records or prove to a government agency,
bank or other business that you are who you claim to be. It is best to have the originals, but it is also important to
have photocopies of these documents in case originals are misplaced or destroyed. Remember to never keep the originals
with the copies.
Your checkbook with enough blank checks and deposit slips to last at least a month
Your need for checks will vary depending on how long you may be displaced and how often you write checks. Even if you never
write checks, consider having your checking account number and information handy in case you need to authorize payments.
ATM cards, debit cards and credit cards These cards give you access to cash and may help you pay outstanding bills. Make
sure you know the personal identification numbers for all cards. Never write your PINs on or near your cards in case they
are lost or stolen. Also, don't assume that businesses, merchants and ATM's in areas affected by a disaster will immediately
be functioning as usual.
Cash
The amount you should have available will depend on the number of people in your family and your ability to use cards to get
more cash or to make purchases.
Phone numbers for your financial services providers
These include local and toll-free numbers for your bank, credit card companies, brokerage firms and insurance companies. You
may need to defer a payment, replace lost cards or documents, open new accounts, or request assistance. If you have people
that you regularly deal with be sure to have their contact information on your list as well. Working with someone who knows
you can speed things up.
Where to keep your items
After you've gathered your most important financial documents, secure them while making sure that you still have access to
them. Use the following strategy
- Make back-up copies of important documents.
- Make an electronic image of your documents using a computer scanner so you can more easily store the information.
- Give a copy of your documents to your trusted loved ones or let them know where to find the documents if needed.
- Store your back-ups some distance from your home in case the disaster impacts your entire community.
- Always seal your most important original documents in airtight and waterproof plastic bags or containers to prevent any
possible water damage.
A safe deposit box is best for protecting sensitive papers that can be difficult or impossible to replace. Don't store
papers that need to be accessed immediately. Items that you should consider storing in a safe deposit box include a birth
certificate and originals of important documents. Consult your attorney before putting an original will in a safe deposit
box because some states do not permit immediate access to a safe deposit box after a person dies.
Other things to consider
- Sign up for direct deposit
- Arrange for automatic bill payments from your bank or through your creditor
- Sign-up for internet banking services
- Review your insurance coverage
For additional information on financial preparedness when disaster strikes, visit www.fdic.gov and type disaster preparedness in the search box.
