Protect Critical Documents From Disaster With a Bug-Out Bag

As a South Florida resident, heres what I do whenever a hurricane approaches.

I havent had to leave my house with what I call a bug-out bag -- yet. Still, watching videos of Hurricane Harvey survivors wading through waist-high water reminded me how useful it is to have your most important papers if you are forced to evacuate your home in a disaster. That way, you can put your financial life back together more easily later.

Hurricane Irma is bearing down on my house as I write this. Im staying home during the storm. But in case I need to skedaddle, heres what I do.

I gather these papers

o Copy or original of homeowners insurance policy
o Flood insurance policy number, proof of payment and a FEMA booklet that explains how to make a flood insurance claim
o Copy or original of the deed to the house
o Copy or original of the mortgage paperwork
o Auto and motorcycle titles
o Auto insurance cards (but if youd rather take a copy of the policy, I wont argue with you)
o Passports

I typically take only copies of most of these documents, and leave the originals in a safe deposit box, because of the chance the bag gets lost or stolen. If you dont have a safe deposit box or would feel more at ease keeping the originals with you, you can certainly go that route.

Papers that I dont take, but you might want to

o Social Security cards
o Birth certificates
o Bank and retirement account statements
o Tax returns and W-2s
o Medical records
o Precious photos

I may have to retrieve these documents in the medium to long term if I have to reconstruct parts of my financial life, but theyre less critical to my immediate needs after a storm. Plus, I like to travel light.

Choosing a bag

I pack my papers into a dry bag -- the kind youd stuff clothing into when going camping. Rolling down the bags top to seal it creates a carrying handle. I can trap air inside the bag so it wont sink in murky floodwaters.

In the past, my wife and I have packed documents into a Tupperware container. But I wanted to carry something with a handle, so we switched to the dry bag. Whatever you use, youll want to put your papers in a waterproof container that can float.

You can find dry bags at stores that sell camping supplies. Mine is still in good shape after several years.

Why packing a bug-out bag is a good idea

Carrying important papers in a waterproof container will make it easier to put my life back together after I flee through a downpour or flood.

Heres how it will help:o I will be able to look up insurance policy numbers and phone numbers, even if my cell phone is lost or submerged or the battery is dead
o If an insurance adjuster or the Federal Emergency Management Agency needs paper copies of my documents, Ill have them handy
o Some original documents (car titles, passports, house deeds) are a hassle to replace, so its best to have them on hand