Hurricane Preparedness
Current Updates:
Bookmark this page for the latest news and announcements regarding hurricane season updates.
Helpful Resources:
- Consider the costs associated with disasters such as insurance deductibles and evacuation costs, and plan for those costs. Anticipate initial out-of-pocket disaster expenses for lodging, food, gas and more.
- How we can help - Consider opening a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), Credit Card, or Savings account.
- Check your insurance coverage. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, contact your agent to ensure you’re adequately covered and understand exclusions. Don’t forget coverage for your car and remember that standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood insurance which requires 30 days to take effect.
- Download FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit at www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness. The kit is a flexible tool designed to help you collect and secure the documentation you would need to get on the road to recovery without unnecessary delays.
- Keep some cash handy. Credit Union branches and ATMs may be inaccessible if there are power outages or curfews.
- Set aside money in an emergency fund. This can be difficult to do on a tight budget, but can be well worth the effort. Start by saving a few extra dollars each week and spread out your 10 days’ worth of supplies shopping to avoid a one-time large expense.
- How we can help - Enroll in the Save My Change program, set up a Savings account, and look into a SureBalance Checking
- Set aside an emergency credit card. If possible, designate one credit card for emergency use only. It should have enough available credit to accommodate purchases of food and supplies for a week or more. Making purchases on a credit card will help you document disaster-related expenses.
- How we can help - Consider opening a Credit Card, Personal Line of Credit, of Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC).
- Flood-proof important papers. Place photocopies of important documents in a plastic bag and double wrap them to protect against water damage. You could also upload digital copies of important documents to the Cloud.
- Get your benefits electronically. Having electronic services in place can help you focus your energy on making other important preparations for the storm. And if absolutely have to do things like deposit a check, you can always use the Mobile Deposit feature in the Community First Mobile Banking App from anywhere you are.
- How we can help - Sign up for electronic services like Direct Deposit, register for Online Bill Pay, eStatements, and Online | Mobile Banking.
Avoiding Scams
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Beware of fraudsters trying to cash in on the hurricanes.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Beware of storm chasers and out-of-town contractors soliciting business.
- Florida Office of the Attorney General Download a Hurricane Preparedness Guide from the Florida Office of the Attorney General.
Additional Resources
- Be Money Ready for Hurricane Season Checklist
- National Weather Service - Jacksonville Receive accurate weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for Jacksonville, FL.
- JAX Ready Emergency Notification System, Receive calls and texts from this emergency notification system in the event of a potential or pending emergency, including weather warnings based on geographical location and sever weather warnings from the National Weather Service within minutes of being issued.
- JEA Storm Center Storm Season lasts June 1 through November 30. Make a plan to protect the people and things you value.
- First Coast News Hurricane Central Learn about Duval County’s emergency and evacuation information.
- News4Jax Tracking The Tropics Print out a Hurricane Survival Guide, know your flood/evacuation zone, and more.
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