10/07/2024
Over the coming days the amount of information regarding the hurricane, both good and bad will be staggering. Please feel free to use us as a resource. Some tips outside the normal "get water and similar" we recommend to our clients.
1) At minimum, put all important numbers in your phone contacts, don't expect to count on Google. A handwritten address book is not a bad idea either, keep dry if you do.
2) While you're at it, pertinent data like medicines, dosages, blood types, allergies, etc for all those you may be responsible for.
3) Scan (take pictures of) your important documents such as birth or marriage certificates, titles, insurance policies, registrations, utility bills, etc. Preferably place in a cloud storage, but at a minimum use a thumb drive or external drive. Use multiple ziplock bags to waterproof.
4) Install a password manager such as Lastpass for all of your pertinent usernames and passwords so you can access accounts from other computers if need be quickly.
5) Buy a portable battery that can charge phones and other devices multiple times, having a quick charger to quickly charge it is a great idea too.
6) Carry a basic power strip with you. As outlets become a premium, you can avoid confrontation by never having to unplug someone else to plug in. (and help others)
7) Stand in each room of your home taking pictures throughout the room, inside your closets, inside your drawers, in your garage, etc. This will help with your inventory for insurance should a home have a loss. If you have time detail the pictures as to what the items are, approximately when you bought them, and approximately what you paid. This will matter for the valuation and should expedite the claims process.
8) Download apps such as FEMA, NOAA, and local county apps such as Ready Pinellas for updates.
9) Know your evacuation zone (if in one) and evacuation routes.
More to come...stay safe, be compassionate, be smart.
