Preparing for a storm can be an undertaking that no one looks forward to, but being equipped when a storm hits can be invaluable. There is no better time than now to put a plan in place to protect you and your family. Below are some essential aspects to consider when storm is on the horizon.

Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit prepared is vital. It’s a great idea to always have an emergency kit on hand stocked with batteries, flashlights, first aid kit, and other essential emergency items for unexpected disasters. When a storm is approaching, other necessities should be stocked for your emergency kit in case of power outages. Some of these items should include water, non-perishable food items, prescription medicines, cash, and any other items that may may be needed. When considering items to include in your family’s emergency kit, you should also consider any unique needs of your family. If you have small children, you may need to have extra formula and diapers; if you have pets, make sure you have plenty of pet food on hand.

Financial Preparedness

Preparing your finances ahead of a storm could be one of the best financial decisions you’ll make. The recovery process after a disaster will take much longer if you don’t have immediate access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other household records. Below are a few tips to prepare your financial disaster plan.

1. Store important documents in a safety deposit box or in a cloud based storage to have easy access during a disaster.
2. Consider creating an emergency fund that could be used in any crisis.
3. Make sure you’re fully covered. Obtain property, health and life insurance if you don’t already have it, and review the policies. During storms, such as hurricanes, there are certain damages that your insurance may not cover, so make sure you understand what’s covered and what’s not covered.
4. Document your assets. It’s a good idea to take photos or do a quick video walk-through of your home. You may not ever need it, but if you do have to file a claim, it is much smoother to have everything documented.

Communication

Download your Disaster Preparedness Plan

It sounds simple, but it’s important to communicate with your whole family about what to do in certain scenarios to reduce stress and confusion.  When a storm makes landfall, where will you shelter? Will you stay in place or evacuate? Do you know your evacuation route? How will you receive storm updates if there is no power or internet? These are just a few of the questions to consider when creating a plan for your family. Having a plan in place ahead of time can reduce anxiety for the whole family. Download our Disaster Preparedness Plan to help you prepare for a storm.

For more resources to create your storm preparedness plan visit https://www.ready.gov.