Weathering the Storm: CSCU’s Guide to Hurricane Prep

When hurricane season rolls in, your storm prep checklist can feel a mile long. Generator? Check. Gas in your tank? Check. Nonperishable foods? Check. Flashlights and extra batteries? Check. But when the wind and stress pick up, it’s easy to forget about your financial checklist. 

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Not sure what you should prepare to make sure your finances weather the storm? In our quick hurricane prep guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to keep your family safe and your wallet prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.

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Pre-Storm Preparations

First things first: Your disaster checklist. While the name sounds scary, FEMA’s Disaster Checklist helps you visualize all your numbers in one place. 

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Here’s a bite-sized summary of what you’ll need:

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Make copies of everyone’s personal records and keep them in a safe place in case you need to leave your home or reference them quickly. Records should include, but aren't limited to:

• Government-issued IDs
• Passports
• Social Security Cards
• Birth Certificates
• Marriage/Divorce Papers
• Home Titles or Deeds
• Car, boat, RV, or any other vehicle registrations and titles
• Room-by-room inventory of your belongings

Keep your original copies in weatherproof containers in a safe, easily accessible place. 

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While most financial records are digital nowadays, you’ll want to keep your insurance information on hand— just in case your property is damaged or someone needs medical assistance. 

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Purchasing Storm Necessities

Mother Nature has a habit of turning a typical week into a storm prep frenzy in a matter of hours. Even with state-of-the-art hurricane tracking systems, knowing where a storm will make landfall can feel like a game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey— or, Pin the Hurricane on the Florida Coast. And then comes the storm checklist. 

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From generators to full coverage insurance policies to keeping cash on you after the power is knocked out, making sure you have everything to weather a storm can get costly. That’s why Community South offers a variety of personal loan options to help you get back on track without missing a beat! 

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Eliminate the stress and keep yourself and your family prepared for the worst before, during, and after a natural disaster.

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After the Storm

It’s easy to get swept up in the post-storm clean-up, but you’ll want to check in on your finances, too! Keep these tips in mind after the wind dies down:

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Contact your financial institution to let them know about the natural disaster. Some financial institutions may have steps in place to help, including: 

• Adjusting repayment schedules on your loans or debts 
• Refinancing existing loans or debts with more realistic terms 
• Reducing or waiving fees such as overdraft fees, ATM fees, or late fees
• Increasing ATM withdrawal maximums

Keep an eye on your credit! In the event you restructure your debt or loan payments, make sure everything is reflected accurately on your credit report. Credit reporters may not reflect the changes immediately, and your credit can suffer as a result. 

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Watch out for scams. More often than not, groups or individuals will try to take advantage of you after a storm. From impersonating charities and government agencies to offering “limited-time deals,” here are some post-hurricane scams to look out for:

• Don’t give personal or sensitive information to people you don’t know. It may seem obvious, but scammers often impersonate charities, government agencies, and insurance companies. They’ll ask for donations or personal information to “verify” claims or other information, both online and in person. Be cautious of who you share personal information with, especially after a natural disaster. 
• Don’t fall victim to price-gouging. “Limited-time only” deals and other “get it before it’s gone” offers are often too good to be true. Always be suspicious of anyone saying they’ll move you to the front of the line, and never pay for fishy services using gift cards, cash, or wire transfers.
• Avoid making decisions under pressure. Not all scammers are contacting you on the phone— sometimes people will come to your door and offer “post-disaster assistance.” Remember to stop, think, and make decisions on your timeline. Never sign any documents without thoroughly reading and understanding them first.

Knowing if the next storm will affect you is nearly impossible, so stay prepared and don’t let hurricane season catch you off guard. Keep your loved ones safe and your finances above water with Community South!