Hurricane Season: Home, Family, and Financial Planning Tips
While the last year of COVID-19 is still fresh on our minds, unfortunately, hurricane season is just around the corner. Being prepared early while you have the time can save you the stress of having to panic when a storm is right around the corner. As we all recall the run on several items at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, below are some planning ideas you can put in place in advance of a storm.
Home And Family Planning
- Think about having no power or water for a week or longer and possibly not being able to leave your house due to flooding or debris for several days. Also think about what you would do if you cannot contact family members if the phones are inoperable.
- Store enough non-perishable food and water for at least 3-7 days for your family. You may want to fill up the bathtub or other large containers with extra water for washing dishes and flushing toilets.
- Have cash handy. If the power is out, ATMs will not work (nor will credit cards) and you may need cash for essentials.
- Having a battery powered or solar powered radio can be helpful so you can keep abreast of what is going on outside.
- Declutter. Secure outside furniture or any items that can become projectile as well as cut down trees that could be damaging to your home or your neighbors’ property.
- If you don’t have hurricane impact windows, make sure your shutters are functional.
- Charge electronics, buy back-up devices and have flashlights and replacement batteries on hand.
- Have enough food and supplies for children and pets – don’t forget the entertainment like games and toys!
- Fill any important prescription medication so you have ample supply in the event you cannot get to the pharmacy or doctor.
- Buying or preparing a first aid kit or emergency bag may be helpful – you can find these bags on Amazon for under $100. You can create a larger kit for staying at home and a smaller kit in the event you have to evacuate.
- Plan for family members with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Many medical devices need power supplies.
- Fill up all your cars and make sure you have enough fuel for generators.
- Talk to family members to decide how you will contact each other and what your plan will be in an emergency. Write down important phone numbers and store them with your important documents — most of us don’t remember phone numbers in our heads anymore. Make a list of emergency phone numbers and family physicians. Some ideas can be found here: http://www.ek-ff.com/Organizer.pdf
- Secure boats, RVs and swimming pools. Swimming pools can pose a danger to children and pets especially after a storm.
Financial
- Review your homeowners and flood insurance to make sure you have adequate coverage. Real estate values have gone up considerably in some areas so make sure your policy has kept up with home values and replacement costs.
- Store important documents on secure cloud storage services so you can access remotely later. You may want to store your insurance policies and any other important home related documents. At Evensky & Katz we provide all our clients with their own client portal document vaults where they can securely store important documents. https://evenskykatz.portal.tamaracinc.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fDashboard.aspx
- Buy a waterproof case for personal documents such as marriage certificates, birth certificates and passports – something that can be grabbed quickly if you have to evacuate. As backup you may want to scan these documents and save copies in a password protected file.
- Secure valuables such as jewelry and sentimental memorabilia (old photos and heirlooms) – possibly store in a safe deposit box or fireproof/waterproof safe.
- Most insurance policies have a 2% hurricane deductible, so make sure you have enough cash set aside in the event you need to come up with these funds for urgent repairs. Insurance companies may take a while to send adjusters and process claims.
- If you own a business, make sure you have a continuity plan in place.
Since we are still in a pandemic this website may be useful:
Other useful websites:
- https://www.miamidade.gov/global/emergency/hurricane/home.page
- https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
- http://www.floridadisaster.org/
Categories
Recent Insights
-
Understanding Backdoor Roth and Mega Backdoor Roth Strategies
Maximizing Your Retirement Savings: What High Earners Need to Know For employees aiming to optimize their retirement savings—especially those with higher incomes—traditional contribution methods may not always be enough. This is where advanced strategies like the Backdoor Roth IRA and Mega Backdoor Roth come into play. These options provide a way to grow tax-free retirement…
-
Secure Your Legacy: Why Naming a Beneficiary for Your 401(k) Matters
When you participate in a 401(k) plan, you’re taking a significant step toward securing your financial future. But there’s an equally important, often overlooked, aspect of managing your plan: naming a beneficiary. This simple action ensures your loved ones are protected and minimizes complications if the unexpected happens. Here’s why it matters for both you…
-
A Memo from our Chief Investment Officer | March 2025
Market headlines can be overwhelming, especially in times of uncertainty. At Evensky & Katz / Foldes, we understand that economic shifts, policy changes, and market fluctuations can trigger real concerns about your financial future. In the letter below, our Chief Investment Officer, Lane Jones, shares insights on the current market environment, the impact of recent…
-
Ways to Talk Yourself off the Ledge When the Entire Market Seems Like it’s Falling to Pieces
Nobody likes to see their investments decline, especially during retirement when going back to work may not be an option. The first step is not to panic. Staying calm and rational can help you make better decisions. Market volatility is normal, and remember, markets can shift quickly in the other direction. In fact, 70% of…
-
Our Prediction Addiction
If you’ve ever felt the thrill of calling the market right—or the sting of getting it wrong—you’re not alone. As humans, we have an innate desire to predict, to control, and to feel like we’re ahead of the game. But here’s the hard truth: predicting the market is, more often than not, a fool’s errand.…