Are You Ready?

Identify most likely disasters.

You cannot be fully prepared for every possible disaster or emergency; however, if you can identify the three most likely disasters to occur in your area, based on previous disasters, and plan for them you will be able to recover from any disaster.

Complete a Disaster Preparedness/Recovery Plan.

If you and your family have access to the information needed to begin the recovery process, it will reduce frustration and anxiety. The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) and the Personal Disaster Preparedness Guide (PDPG) are available at http://www.operationhope.org/emergency-kit

Prepare to have access to recovery-needed documents.

Assembling the information you need to recover is the first step. However, if you do not have access to the information after a disaster or emergency, step one will not help you.

Ensure your family has access to your preparedness and recovery plan.

If you are not able to start the financial recovery process, someone in your family should be able to assist or implement your recovery plan. Brief someone this week by reviewing the documents with them, including how to access them after a disaster or emergency. The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) and the Personal Disaster Preparedness Guide (PDPG) are available at http://www.operationhope.org/emergency-kit

Secure adequate insurance.

If you do not have insurance, change your spending priorities and purchase insurance next month. Don’t risk losing the things you have acquired. If you have insurance, you receive a notice from your insurance company every year asking you to review your coverage; review your coverage and make adjustments. If you are underinsured, choosing to have the latest computer or more money in your savings account is a poor choice.

Update your insurance.

Complete the PDPG and use pages 12-15 and a free on-line home valuation site to adjust your coverage.

Plan for your immediate needs like water and food.

American Red Cross, FEMA and most cities contain information on the amount of water and food you should have. Follow their guidance and don't forget to swap out and replace items as recommended. Hunger and worrying about where you will obtain food can affect your financial recovery decisions.

Plan for housing.

If you are a homeowner, consider adding "Loss of Use" coverage to your homeowners' insurance policy. If you are a renter, discuss with your family the options: an American Red Cross or local shelter, a hotel room reimbursed by FEMA, staying with a relative or changing monthly spending or income allowing you to increase your savings.

Prepare your phone to be a disaster recovery tool.

After a disaster, one of the tools that may be your first available resource is your cell phone. If you have a smartphone, install a free app this week or go to your phone's Notifications settings and turn on "Government Alerts". If you do not have a smart phone, consider upgrading your phone; new technology can help you throughout the recovery process and many other life management free apps could be worth the increased monthly cost. Open a social media account (such as Facebook, Twitter, etc.) or email account, if you don’t already have one, as a way to communicate after a disaster.

Learn how to apply for FEMA assistance.

Review the FEMA website’s section, “Disaster Survivor Assistance” in order to become familiar with the types of assistance FEMA offers and the process to apply. A review of the process and a discussion with your family will help them understand the process and requirements before a disaster. Go to www.fema.gov