Be Financially Prepared for Natural Disasters

by Catherine Haug, August 2020

Here in NW Montana, we face forest fire risks every summer. We also have risks of earthquakes. For those who live in or near a flood plain, there is risk of flooding, especially in the spring. In the winter, you could be shut-in due to heavy snowstorm or black ice storm.

It makes sense to be prepared!

The following notes are from an article in the Daily Inter Lake, but Jesse Rigler of Edward Jones in Kalispell, MT. Sorry I didn’t write down the date of the article.

  1. Talk with an insurance agent regarding tips on protecting your home;
  2. Maintain sufficient insurance including flood, and review insurance coverage levels;
  3. Document possessions with photos/videos, and a written list containing description and values;
  4. Maintain an emergency fund and cash-on-hand in case ATMs, etc., are not working; base amount on 1 – 2 month’s budget;
  5. Protect documents: mortgage papers, insurance documents, financial accounts, tax statements, etc.
    • Store paper versions in water/fire-proof box or bank safe deposit box
    • Also keep digital records on an external hard-drive.

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