With hurricane season upon us and a possible tropical storm threat to the Georgia coast in the coming days, it’s a good time for businesses and families to make sure they have plans in place to protect their finances and important information in the event of a major storm.
 
“It’s always best to plan ahead and make sure you have access to money and protect your important financial information if there’s a threat of a major storm,” said David Oliver, GBA senior vice president.
 
The Georgia Bankers Association recommends the following:
 
· Protect financial documents.  In the event of a disaster, you will need identification and financial documents to begin the recovery process. Businesses can safeguard important documents in a bank safety deposit box, computer storage devices (USB drive, CD/DVD), and/or waterproof storage containers, including:

o   Critical company records
o   Personal identification (driver’s licenses, birth certificates, military IDs, passports, etc.)
o   Financial account information (checking, savings, retirement and investment accounts, credit/debit cards).
o   Insurance policies on all personal property, including appraisals and lists and photos of valuable items.
o   Ownership or leasing documentation for homes and vehicles (deeds, titles, registrations, rental agreements, etc.)
o   All health and medical insurance documentation.
 
· Know your risk. FEMA’s map service center will show you the flood risk for your community, which helps determine the type of flood insurance coverage you will need. Flood insurance should be a necessity, as standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding and may have different deductibles for storm damage.
 
· Talk to your insurance agent or broker. A good flood insurance policy can be a financial lifesaver following a damaging event such as a hurricane – but even good policies may have restrictions. Talk to your agent so you understand what your policy does and does not cover.
 
· Assemble an emergency kit. The emergency kit should include first aid supplies, a flashlight, extra batteries, at least three days of non-perishable foods and water, towels and a supply of any necessary medications. Stay informed of the storm’s path and progress by monitoring Wireless Emergency Alerts via text message and having a battery-powered radio or TV available.
 
The FEMA website, Ready.gov, also offers tips on preparing for an emergency, including: a free app that is available for download through your smart phone and an emergency financial first aid kit to help keep your finances well-organized during a potential storm. For more resources, visit the FEMA site: http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.