Important Documents Ready

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If you are leaving your home to evacuate, bring copies of important documents like birth certificates, wills, insurance policies, etc. with you or have them saved on aCD, external hard drive, thumb drive or stored in a safe location out of the area.

• If you keep paper copies of these documents, store them in a watertight plastic envelope or container to prevent damage.

Before hurricane season, it may be prudent to review and upgrade any of your existing insurance policies.

• In addition to "typical" policies (home, auto, and boat) you should also consider wind, hail, flood, and earthquake insurance.

Create an inventory of your home to assist with insurance claims and document your home and what is in your home.

Verifying Home Ownership or Occupancy for FEMA Assistance

FEMA is required to verify you lived at the address in your application as your primary residence before providing most types of IHP Assistance. FEMA is also required to verify you owned your home before providing Home Repair or Replacement Assistance.

Learn about FEMA Home Ownership or Occupancy Verification Requirements

Important Document Checklist

• Passports
• Social Security cards
• Immigration Documents
• Insurance policies
• Licenses
• Car titles and registrations
• Wills
• Contracts
• House plans
• Mortgage and property deeds
• Immunization and other medical records
• Bank account numbers
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Adoption Decrees
• Death certificates
• Deeds
• Stocks and bonds
• Prescriptions
• Recent tax returns
• Military records
• Important photographs and other irreplaceable documents
• Backup computer files on a portable drive
• Photos of valuables in your home

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