Keep vital documents close at hand. If you have to evacuate, you’ll want to take necessary and hard-to-replace documents.
Here’s a list of what should be in a waterproof, lockable container you can easily grab:
Checkbook, savings account passbook
Safe deposit box key o Birth, death and marriage certificates, divorce decree
Will and power of attorney
Social Security card and records
Military records
Medical records (living will, health care surrogacy, etc.)
Insurance policies
Health insurance cards
Retirement account records
Recent pay stubs, in case you have to document employment to collect benefits
Tax returns
Car titles and registrations
Mortgage deeds or rental agreements
Warranties and receipts
Credit cards
Passports and green cards
Food stamps, WIC or other benefit cards and paperwork
List of important phone numbers (relatives, bank and insurance company)
Device on which you back up computer files just before you shut down the computer and evacuate
Home inventory (on paper, device or video; you should keep another copy in a safe place)
A few family photographs or other memorabilia
