Are you ready to weather the storm? Here is a quick checklist.
Do you have an emergency kit ready?
- After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Do you know what you would do if you needed to leave your home?
- Know your Florida Evacuation & Shelter options.
Have you taken recent photos or videos of your home and belongings?
- Taking photos and videos of your home and belongings before a hurricane creates indisputable proof of their pre-storm condition. This visual documentation helps speed up the insurance claims process, prevents insurers from claiming damage is pre-existing, and ensures you receive full value for lost items.
- Close-up shots of brand names, model numbers, and serial numbers—and standing next to large items like TVs or jewelry—prove ownership and value.
Do you have copies of important documents saved somewhere safe?
- For a Florida hurricane, secure physical copies of important documents in a waterproof container and save digital backups on a password-protected cloud drive or flash drive. Focus on four main categories:
Identification & Personal Records
- Driver’s licenses or state-issued IDs
- Passports and Social Security cards
- Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates
- Military records and estate planning documents (wills, trusts)
Insurance & Property
- Homeowners, renters, and flood insurance policies.
- Auto and boat titles
- Property deeds or mortgage statements
Financial & Medical
- Bank and credit card account numbers
- Recent pay stubs (needed for disaster assistance eligibility)
- Tax documents and vehicle registration
- Prescription records, doctors’ contacts, and medical histories
Emergency Contacts & Local Info
- Printed list of emergency services, family, and friends
- Emergency access permits (if you live in a barrier island or specific county zone)
Is your Congregation Ready
- As a congregation, we encourage you to download, review, and take the recommendation actions identified in the Luther Disaster Response Congregational Preparedness Guide. This easy-to-use document is designed to help congregations take some basic and important steps toward resiliency and intentionality in response to disaster so that they will be better able to serve their communities when disasters strike.
