by David Druey, Florida Regional President, Centennial Bank
Floridians have seen their fair share of hurricanes and know storms can turn on a dime. With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s prediction of 13 to 20 named storms this hurricane season, it is crucial for locals to prepare their finances in the event of a power outage, water damage, or evacuations.
According to FEMA’s most recent annual hurricane preparedness survey, only 48 percent of Americans have emergency plans for disasters. In fact, most Americans do not factor finances into their evacuation and safety preparations.
Tropical Storm/Hurricane Elsa’s recent landfall in Florida serves as a reminder that there is no better time than now to get your “financial house” in order. We recommend the following hurricane banking tips:
- Cash is king. Withdraw a week’s worth of living expenses in the event of fallen power lines and/or trees; it is important to have extra cash on hand to help with cleanup. Most banks offer drive-through ATMs and interactive teller machines that can be accessed when bank lobbies are closed.
- Have your bank on speed dial. Familiarize yourself with your local branch’s special services and hurricane evacuation plan in the event of a storm.
- 24/7 access. Download your bank’s mobile app and ensure that all accounts are set up digitally so you can access funds from anywhere in the country. Do not forget to save your mobile banking username and password in a safe place.
- Get your camera ready. Scan and/or photograph your most important personal and banking documents (i.e., IDs, titles, deeds, birth certificates, Social Security cards). It is always a good idea to keep important documents in a water-safe area or sealed bag in the event of a flood.
- Keep an “eye” out for scams. After storms, banking scams are unfortunately a common occurrence. Be on the alert for suspicious phone calls, mail, texts, emails, and more from companies or individuals pretending to be your bank.
When in doubt, get in touch with your local banker to ensure your account information is up to date and to learn more about the services they offer in the event of an emergency.
Making accommodations to have extra cash on hand, reaching out to your local branch, taking photos of important documents, and double-checking your access to your bank’s mobile app does not take more than a few hours. These simple tips can save you time and money in the long run.