Severe storms can strike with little warning, but taking proactive steps now can make a significant difference in how well you and your family weather the impact. While securing your home and ensuring your loved ones are safe is a top priority, it’s equally important to prepare your finances for unexpected emergencies.

UConn’s Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)

Financial readiness can help you recover more quickly and reduce stress during and after a disaster. UConn’s Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) website walks you through essential steps to build your storm preparedness plan. This includes assembling a comprehensive emergency kit, creating a detailed household inventory, and organizing important financial and legal documents. By preparing in advance, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges that come with severe weather events, both physically and financially.

Family & Home Preparedness

Residents are responsible for disaster preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery in their home and with their families. UConn Extension’s resources address many areas the family and home face, including food safety, winter storms, and financial preparation. Youth specific resources help children understand the importance of disaster preparation.

Important Family and Financial Records

By gathering important information now, you can make it much easier for family members and yourself to recover from an emergency or disaster situation. For example, in the event of a severe storm, it might be necessary to quickly evacuate your home. There may not be the time enough to collect all your important information likely to be needed to help you recover as quickly as possible. Also, trying to locate records following a natural disaster or an emergency can be more difficult to accomplish and add more stress to a challenging situation.

Storm Preparedness Series: My Important Family and Household Records Fact Sheet.pdf

Your Home Inventory

A home inventory is a tool you can use to document your ownership of personal property. Over the years, families and households can collect a variety of possessions. They may accumulate clothing, jewelry, electronics, furnishings, collectibles, workshop tools, hobby supplies, sports equipment and other items. Imagine the challenge it could be to document your ownership of valuable possessions following fire, theft, or a disaster. In addition to the physical loss of property, people sometimes find it can be emotionally devastating and very stressful. It may be difficult to recall all the items you might hope to replace.

Storm Preparedness Series: Your Home Inventory Fact Sheet.pdf