Make a Family Emergency Plan

Emergencies don’t happen at a convenient time. When an emergency strikes, you and members of your household may not be together so knowing what to do, where you will go, and how to get in touch with family members is important.

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Create a family communication plan

Choose an out-of-town friend or relative to be a contact point for family members to call if you are separated during an emergency. Make sure everyone knows how and when to call 911 or local emergency medical services. Post emergency contact phone numbers near telephones. Create cards or save important contact information in your mobile phone, including numbers for the non-emergency police line, insurance company, healthcare provider, daycare and schools, and veterinarian office. 

Develop a family evacuation plan

Practice how you would evacuate your home if it was needed. Learn multiple routes out of your neighborhood. Contact, follow, or sign up for alerts from your local emergency management agency to receive important evacuation information, the location of shelters and hospitals, and recommended evacuation routes.

Most shelters do not accept pets. Prepare a list of kennels, friends and family members who may be able to care for your pet in an emergency. If you are able to take your pet to a shelter, the pet must have a current vaccination record, a pet carrier, and a supply of food.

Address special needs

Make plans to ensure the needs of someone you know who is elderly or dependent on life-sustaining or health-related equipment such as a ventilator or respirator.

• Make a family emergency plan form 

Next steps

So now you’ve put together a plan. 

• Do you have an emergency supply kit ?
• Do you know what to do for hazards that occur in and outside of Iowa?

Household planning 

There are steps you can take now to make the recovery process easier when a disaster strikes.

• Check your insurance policies to ensure you have accurate coverage. Not all insurance policies are the same. Review your policy to make sure the amount and types of coverage you have meets the requirements for all possible hazards. Homeowners insurance does not typically cover flooding, so you may need to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program.
• Take photos of your property. Photos of the outside and inside of your home can help you in case you need to make an insurance claim.
• Store documents and phone numbers in your emergency kit, and virtual if possible. Include home, auto, and health insurance documents, medical records, and copies of important documents like your birth certificate.

Preparing your home

There are steps you can take before a disaster to try to mitigate damage. 

• Prepare your roof against high winds. Wind storms and falling debris can cause major damage to your home. If your roof is damaged, you risk further destruction to the interior of your home. Repairing any loose gutters and Check shingles to make sure none are in poor condition.
• Reinforce your windows and doors. Reinforcing your doors and windows protects the inside of your home from the impacts of flooding, wind storms, and similar natural disasters. Add weather stripping or fill in any gaps.
• Create a temporary flood barrier if needed to prevent water damage. You can set up sandbag barriers around all entrances to the home to soak up water and defend your home from rising water levels.
• Store valuable documents and items in a watertight safe.
• Trim trees and Remove dead foliage. Trees are a major source of property damage during natural disasters. If a tree falls on your home, it can tear straight through your roof and walls, opening up your home to further property damage.
• Secure outdoor furniture and appliances including patio furniture, grills, outdoor toys, and landscaping ornaments or tools. Outdoor items can go flying and rapidly become dangerous projectiles capable of significant harm to people and property. 

Financial preparedness

After a disaster rebuilding your life may be stressful and challenging. Having access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records will aid you in starting the recovery process quickly and efficiently.

1. Gather financial documents, insurance information, and critical personal, household, and medical information and keep it in your emergency kit, or accessible virtually.
2. Keep small bills and change in your emergency kit for use in a crisis. It is important to have small bills on hand because ATMs and credit cards may not work during a disaster.
3. Obtain property (homeowners or renters), health, and life insurance if you do not have them. Make sure coverage is adequate for your needs.

Types of documentation to gather

Household identification

• Photo ID (to prove identity of household members)
• Birth certificate (to maintain or re-establish contact with family members)
• Social Security card (to apply for FEMA disaster assistance)
• Military service
• Pet ID tags

Financial and legal documentation

• Housing payments (to identify financial records and obligations)
  • Some individuals and households may experience financial difficulty because of a disaster. If you do not think you can pay your loan payments on time, immediately contact your bank and discuss your options before skipping any payments or taking any other actions contrary to the terms of your loans.
• Insurance policies (to re-establish financial accounts)
• Sources of income (to maintain payments and credit)
• Tax statements (to provide contact information for financial and legal providers and to apply for FEMA disaster assistance)

Medical information

• Physician information (in case medical care is needed)
• Copies of health insurance information (to make sure existing care continues uninterrupted)
• Immunization records
• Medications

Insurance information

Having insurance for your home or business property is the best way to make sure you will have the necessary financial resources to help you repair, rebuild, or replace whatever is damaged. Document and insure your property now.

Secure the Post-Disaster Claims Guide: This Guide will help you understand what to do in the event that disaster damages your home. It also provides tools and tips to navigate the insurance claims process. Download and print the guide from the Iowa Insurance Division’s website or text (877) 969-4016  to receive an electronic copy. Finally, keep it in a waterproof "go-bag" along with a physical copy of your insurance policy.

 

Household contact information

• Banking institutions
• Insurance agents
• Health professionals
• Service providers
• Place of worship

Financial safety considerations

• Be cautious about sharing personal financial information, such as your bank account number, social security number, or credit card numbers.
• Do not click on links in texts or emails from people you don’t know. Scammers can create fake links to websites.
• Remember that the government will not call or text you about owing money or receiving economic impact payments.
• Be aware that scammers may try to contact you via social media. The government will not contact you through social media about owing money or receiving payments.
• Keep in mind that scammers may try to take advantage of financial fears by calling with work-from-opportunities, debt consolidation offers, and student loan repayment plans.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you receive messages from anyone claiming to be a government agent.