(FORT MYERS, Fla.) — As Tropical Storm Debby makes final landfall with flood threat spreading from Florida to the Northeast, the importance of being prepared for future storms has never been clearer. One crucial step in storm preparedness is ensuring that all your important legal documents are safely stored and easily accessible in case another storm strikes.
Having your key documents organized and ready can make all the difference in the aftermath of a disaster. Here’s a checklist of the essential documents every homeowner should safeguard:
Identification
- Driver's License or Identification Card
- Social Security Card
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Green Card
- Employment Authorization Card
Medical
- Declaration of Healthcare Surrogate and/or Living Will
- Health Insurance Card
- List of Medications
- List of Allergies
Financial
- Checkbook
- Bank and/or Credit Card Information
- Tax Returns
- Bank Statements for each account
- Paycheck Stubs
Real Property
- Property Deed
- Manufactured Home Title and Registration
- Mortgage Agreement or Note
- Lease or Rental Agreement
- Prospectus (for mobile home park residents)
- Homeowners’ Association Rules (for HOA residents)
- Housing Assistance Payment Contracts (for Section 8 recipients)
- Homeowner Policy
- Flood Insurance Policy
Automobiles and Watercraft
- Title and Registration
- Insurance Policy
Legal
- Last Will and Testament
- Power of Attorney
- Marriage License
- Adoption Papers
- Orders of Protection Against Domestic Violence
- Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Marital Separation Agreement
- Child Custody or Visitation Agreements
Other
- Emergency Contact Information
- Animal Vaccination Records
Ensuring these documents are stored in a secure, weatherproof container and having digital copies backed up in a cloud-based service can provide additional protection. As we continue through hurricane season, taking these precautions now can help you avoid the added stress of lost or damaged documents in the wake of a storm.
The marketing of ways to be more resilient for future storm impacts is funded through a grant from the American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program.Community Adaptation Program