National Preparedness Month- Week 1: Save Early for Disaster Costs Sept 1-7

9/4/2019 (Permalink)

Natural disasters, which occur across all parts of the United States, result in severe damage to natural and built environments, have long-term economic impacts and often lead to loss of life.

In 2017, more than 25 million Americans were affected by natural disasters, most notably hurricanes in the southeast, and wildfires in the west. It was also the most expensive year on record for natural disasters, with $306.2 billion in damage and 362 deaths.

From NCSL.Org

Ready.gov has joined FEMA during National Preparedness Month to provide strategies to help us prepare for and bounce back from unexpected events. 

Americans at all income levels have experienced the challenges of rebuilding their lives after a disaster or other emergency. In these stressful circumstances, having access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records is crucial for starting the process of recovery quickly and efficiently. Taking the time now to collect and secure these critical records will give you peace of mind and, in the event of an emergency, will ensure that you have the documentation needed to start the recovery process without delay.

1. Gather financial and critical personal, household, and medical information.
2. Consider saving money in an emergency savings account that could be used in any crisis. Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place. It is important to have small bills on hand because ATM’s and credit cards may not work during a disaster when you need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel or food.
3. Obtain property (homeowners or renters), health, and life insurance if you do not have them. Review existing policies for the amount and extent of coverage to ensure that what you have in place is what is required for you and your family for all possible hazards. Homeowners insurance does not typically cover flooding, so you may need to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program.
4. Scroll down for more helpful financial preparedness tips and download the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) to get started planning today.

For Organizations 

Encourage people throughout your organization to be financially prepared. Here are some ideas to promote financial preparedness in your organization:

• Hold a brown bag meeting or
• Make a presentation at an existing staff meeting using the Emergency Preparedness Financial First Aid Kit PowerPoint and use the Safeguarding Your Valuables Facilitator Guide to support your discussion.
• Include financial preparedness information in the staff monthly newsletter.

At Home

Using the EFFAK as a guide, or by downloading a secure mobile app on your phone, store important documents either in a safety deposit box, an external drive, on the cloud to make it easy to access during a disaster. 

Having your financial and medical records and important contact information will be crucial to help you start the recovery process quickly. Take time now to safeguard these critical documents.

Household Identification

• Photo ID to prove identity of household members
• Birth certificate to maintain or re-establish contact with family members
• Social security card to apply for FEMA disaster assistance
• Military service
• Pet ID tags

Financial and Legal Documentation

• Housing Payments to identify financial records and obligations
• Insurance policies to re-establish financial accounts
• Sources of income to maintain payments and credit
• Tax statements to provide contact information for financial and legal providers & apply for FEMA disaster assistance

Medical Information

• Physician information to provide doctors with health information if medical care is needed
• Copies of health insurance information to ensure existing care continues uninterrupted
• Immunization records  
• Medications     

Insurance Information

Having insurance for your home or business property is the best way to ensure you will have the necessary financial resources to help you repair, rebuild, or replace whatever is damaged.  Document and insure your property now.

Household Contact information

• Banking Institutions
• Insurance agent
• Health professionals     
• Service providers          
• Place of worship

Get your benefits electronically

A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, significant way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends two safer ways to get federal benefits:

• Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. Federal benefit recipients can sign up by calling (800) 333-1795 or sign up online
• The Direct Express® prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative to paper

 From ready.gov/financial-preparedness

SERVPRO of West Riverside City encourages our neighbors to take steps to be financially prepared should a major earthquake, wildfire, flooding or other natural disaster occur in our area.  Add our contact information to your emergency list.  We can help ease the stress should you face a loss due to a disaster.  We can make it "Like it never even happened."