Hurricane Resources

Hurricanes aren’t a foreign event for us Floridians. Many of us know our evacuation zones, have the JaxReady app downloaded on our devices, and have bottled water and nonperishable food stocked up just in case we are alerted of a hurricane heading our way.

Because it’s always best to be ready for a storm before it happens, here’s a guide that includes information on how to financially prepare for a hurricane, links to important websites you should check before and after a storm, as well as additional resources that will help you gather the supplies you need.

Stay safe, Florida!

Don’t get stranded without cash; safeguard your money before a big storm hits.

Keep important financial information and identification safe and accessible.Important documents that you will not need immediately following an event should be placed in a waterproof bag or container and stored in a safe place.
Create an emergency fund.Make sure it is sufficient to sustain you and your family if you are required to evacuate. It should be easily accessible from a savings or checking account.
Keep plenty of cash on hand, especially small bills.Extended power outages could prevent you from accessing ATMs, using your credit/debit card at retailers, or using a check for payment if merchants are unable to perform proper verification.
Do not wait until the last minute to withdraw cash from your account.Just like waiting lines are long at grocery stores in the days leading up to an impending hurricane, the same goes for financial institutions. Beat the rush and get your money early.
Sign up for e-Services like Direct Deposit, Bill Pay, and Internet & Mobile Banking. If you have to evacuate, do not waste precious time depositing checks by hand or making payments via mail. Postal delivery could be delayed by the storm, putting you at risk of incurring late fees. Automated payments can help you focus your energy on making other important preparations for the storm. And if you have checks to deposit, you can always use the VyStar Mobile Banking App to get the job done.
Review your insurance policies before hurricane season starts.Call your agent(s) to make sure you have enough coverage for your property, vehicle(s) and yourself in the event of a hurricane. Some policies require at least 30 days to take effect. In Florida, tropical weather and hurricanes are a part of everyday life. Being physically and financially prepared well in advance will help ease the worry of potential impact.

Have vital documents safe and ready to go. Gather up all of your personal and financial information, store this paperwork in one place in a waterproof bag and, if possible, put it in a safe.
Make backup copies and scans. Have a copy of all the contents of your wallet, originals of important papers (like birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, etc.). Make sure you also have backups for computers, laptops, digital photos and smartphones. Keep backups in a safe deposit box, or scan them into a computer backup device stored off-premises or into an encrypted online file where you can retrieve them.
Create a family emergency disaster and communications plan. Since families may not be together when disaster strikes, you have to think about how your family will communicate in different situations. Create a communications plan, as well as a primary and secondary contact plan of who you will call and how in the event of an emergency. You can also include a pre-designated primary and secondary meeting place. Sample plans and contact cards are available from the government at fema.gov.
If you have to evacuate, just grab the waterproof bag of documents and go. Even better: If the safe is portable, take the whole thing.
Keep emergency numbers handy for key support functions and home utilities. These include emergency services, electrical power, natural gas, water, telephone, etc. Also know where your shut-off switches and/or valves are for these utilities, and know how to shut them down. In the event of a pending or significant disaster, turning off utilities can help prevent secondary fires, explosions and internal flooding at your residence.

Hurricane Information on Ready.gov
National Hurricane Center
Emergency Preparedness Guide
Pet First Aid Kit
Red Cross
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Hurricane Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Weather Service: Hurricane Safety
Florida Disaster Website