Are You Financially Prepared to Weather A Natural Disaster?

When severe weather heads your way, the safety and security of you and your family should be your primary goal. But it also is important to take steps to safeguard your access to cash and other resources if you are facing a potential natural disaster.

Here are seven important ways to prepare yourself and your finances for adverse weather events:

1. Personal Safety is Paramount: Create a thorough emergency plan including emergency supplies, evacuation routes, communications plans, personal property preparations and more. Municipal agencies can provide guidance to create a comprehensive personal disaster preparedness plan.
2. Cash on Hand: In case power goes out and ATMs are not working, be sure to have some cash on hand, as well as debit/credit cards and personal checks.
3. Consider a Reloadable Debit Card: Augment your cash with a prepaid reloadable debit card for safe, convenient access to your money. You can use the card to make purchases, pay bills and even get additional cash at the ATM.
4. Register for Mobile Banking: When the power goes out, your can use your smartphone or tablet for banking as well as communicating. You can use your phone to access your account, monitor transactions, pay bills and conduct other important transactions.
5. Fill Your Gas Tank: Given the possibility of long lines at the pump after a disaster, filling your tank in advance is a good idea. That full tank can also come in handy in case of a power outage where your car may be the only way to charge a smartphone, tablet or laptop, allowing you to access mobile banking and other important online services.
6. Scan and Store Important Documents in a Safe Place: Make copies of all your important documents. Back up your electronic files and keep personal documents, i.e., identification and insurance policies, in a safe place separate from your home. Consider using waterproof and portable containers.
7. Stay Connected To PNC: Customers can view important PNC information related to any major weather event at the Update Center (www.pnc.com/updatecenter). Customer Service consultants are available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, or Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET at 1-888-PNC-BANK (1-888-762-2265). Facebook and Twitter also serve as real-time communication tools in the event of a natural disaster. PNC customers with questions can use @PNCBank_Help or www.facebook.com/PNCBank for assistance.

Visit PNC’s Update Center for the latest alerts »