Natural Disaster Planning: Protecting More Than Just Your Home

Every year, hurricane season in Hawaii and the Pacific serves as a reminder that while we can’t control the weather, we can control how we prepare. From hurricanes to flash flooding, natural disasters can impact more than your home—they can disrupt your daily life, your livelihood, and your financial stability.

That’s why preparing ahead of time is key, not only to help protect your loved ones and your property, but also to safeguard your finances. Here’s how to get ready now, before the next warning is issued.

1. Build an Emergency Kit

Living in our island home brings unique challenges when it comes to disaster supplies. If ports are closed or air transport is grounded, replenishing basics can take days or weeks. Your emergency kit should be stocked for at least 7–14 days and include:

• Shelf-stable food and water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Solar-powered or hand-crank radio and flashlight
• Prescription medications and first aid supplies
• Extra chargers, power banks, and batteries
• Pet food and supplies
• Copies of critical documents in a waterproof folder or USB

Pro tip: Think beyond the basics—baby formula, feminine hygiene products, contact lenses, and board games for kids can be just as essential.

2. Fortify Your Home Before the Storm Hits

Your home is your haven, so protecting it means acting before the wind picks up. Key tasks to consider:

• Inspect your roof for loose shingles or tiles
• Install or check hurricane clips and storm shutters
• Clean gutters and trim back large trees
• Use sandbags or install flood barriers if you live in a flood-prone area
• Review your homeowners or renters’ insurance policy and its coverage

Documenting your belongings with photos or videos can also help simplify insurance claims later on.

3. Create a Family Communication and Evacuation Plan

During a crisis, cell towers can go down and roads may be closed. Having a plan in place ensures that everyone knows what to do, even when communications are spotty.

• Designate a central meeting place and an out-of-town contact
• Make sure all family members know key phone numbers by memory
• Keep gas tanks at least half full during hurricane season
• Practice your evacuation routes and have go-bags ready

If you have young children, elderly family members, or pets, include them in the planning to reduce stress if a quick evacuation becomes necessary.

4. Back Up Important Documents and Digital Assets

In today’s digital age, safeguarding your most important records isn’t just about physical copies. Make sure to:

• Scan and securely store items like insurance policies, IDs, and legal documents in the cloud
• Use password-protected digital storage or external hard drives
• Enable two-factor authentication on critical financial and personal accounts

Keeping access to your information protected yet reachable is key to recovery after a disaster.

5. Prepare Your Finances for the Unexpected

Natural disasters don’t just damage homes, they unfortunately can create long-lasting financial hardship. That’s why having a financial safety net is one of the most powerful forms of disaster preparedness.

Consider setting up or contributing to:

• A dedicated emergency savings account (aim for 3–6 months of living expenses)
• A home equity line of credit (HELOC) for home repairs and resilience upgrades
• Automatic payments and alerts to avoid missed bills during outages

How Bank of Hawaii Can Help You Stay Prepared

When the unexpected strikes, we’re here to help you weather the storm. Bank of Hawaii offers:

• Personal loans and credit lines to bridge urgent needs
• HELOCs to help fund home fortification projects
• Safe deposit boxes to secure valuables
• Mobile and online banking tools to help you access your money anytime—even during power or network outages

Final Thoughts

Resilience isn’t just about preparation—it’s about community, foresight, and protecting what matters most. By acting now, you can face the next hurricane, tsunami, or wildfire season with greater confidence—knowing you’ve planned not just for your home, but for your family and your future.

Need help building your financial preparedness plan? Connect with a Bank of Hawaii specialist today.