Just in Case

Question:  We’re new to Southwest Florida and wondering if you could provide a few tips on hurricane season and organizing important documents. 

Answer: Being proactive makes everything easier. Preparing for an unexpected storm or life event helps protect your personal and financial well-being. Having everything set ahead of an emergency allows you to be able to “grab-and-go” making a quick exit to safety, and to let you know that you’ve completed your pre-planning with important documents in place before you may need them. Being well organized can make insurance claims and other recovery activities easier to navigate after the storm has passed. 

As residents of Marco since 1997, we’ve been through a few storms. Here are a few tips we’ve learned along the way that have helped us through several hurricanes. 

Saving your documents

If a fire, hurricane, or other natural disaster occurs, the documents needed to rebuild your life should either be with you or stored somewhere safely out of harm’s way. Waterproof, fireproof safes offer protection for your most important items, offering a level of security in the event of a last-minute evacuation. For disasters that can be forecasted further in advance – think weather-related events like hurricanes – it may be beneficial to take important papers with you. 

While many of the documents below can be replaced, keeping them safe will make insurance claims and other recovery activities easier. Consider bringing:

Identification: passports, immigration papers, military discharge papers, immunization records, Social Security cards

Family records and certificates: birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, death.

Home and vehicle: deeds, titles, registration, loan papers.

Planning documents: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives.

Insurance information: health, life, home, vehicle.

Consider placing them in a three-ring binder with pockets for easy portability, and store within a water-resistant bag. Waterproof and fireproof boxes are usually quite heavy, but a heavy-duty waterproof bag from a sporting goods store or large, resealable plastic bag can serve as a lighter alternative. We use dry bags from our scuba diving days for this purpose. 

 Preparing your emergency bag

Proponents of preparedness recommend keeping a small bag packed with essentials for a quick escape. Your emergency bag should remain ready to always go, ideal for an unanticipated evacuation. Your water-resistant duffel bag or knapsack can include items such as:

• Your documents binder.
• Photos or video of your property for later insurance claims Safe deposit box key, if applicable.
• Notepad and pen flashlight.
• Small first-aid kit.
• Bottled water and nonperishable snacks.
• extra resealable bags.

An additional “quick grab” list will ensure you won’t forget items that would be inconvenient to always keep in your emergency bag. Examples include:

• Backup of your computer, especially if it stores personal information.
• Cash for food and gas, as ATMs may not be in service.
• Required medications.
• Phone or tablet and chargers.

Don’t forget your pets

If conditions are unsafe for you, they’re unsafe for your pets as well. Research in advance which public shelters, lodging facilities or kennels can take care of your pets if you’re unable to bring them with you during an evacuation. If you have an exotic pet, try contacting local pet stores or zoological gardens located in a safe area. Your local SPCA or other pet-oriented organization can also likely provide information.

Additional steps to prepare your pets include:

• Making copies of your pets’ updated immunization records.
• Filling out a pet ID card with a recent picture, description, contact information, medical details, and care instructions.
• Compiling a kit with items like collars, leashes, medications, food, water, treats, toys, litter/pans, first aid supplies, and carriers.

Depending on the type of natural hazards your area is prone to, additional provisions might be needed. But regardless of the peril, these precautions can provide a greater sense of security in the face of an unexpected disaster. As with so many areas of life, planning for the worst and expecting the best goes a long way towards dealing with things we cannot control. Stay focused and plan accordingly.