News & Tips
Hurricane Preparation Checklist
As Floridians, we understand the importance of planning and preparing in advance for hurricanes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Taking basic steps ahead of time will reduce future stress and help protect you, your family, and property. To help you get started, we’ve created a simple preparedness checklist with links to helpful resources.
Prepare Your Supplies
The best time to stock up on hurricane supplies is when a hurricane’s not even on the weather radar, especially to avoid last-minute rushes. Here’s what you can do:
- Purchase bottled drinking water, non-perishable food, and toiletry items for you and your family. A good rule of thumb is to have enough of these items to last a minimum of 72 hours after the storm passes.
- If a storm is coming, be sure to have extra cash, portable cell phone chargers, gasoline, and medicine because electricity may go out, and it may take time for stores and gas stations to reopen. Helpful tip: Freeze a couple of bottles of water ahead of time to put into your fridge if the electricity goes out, which will preserve food longer. (It's best not to fill the water bottles all the way to the top to allow room for expansion.)
- Build a kit of supplies to have after the storm passes. This may include tarps, a first aid kit, protective clothing, a manual can opener, batteries, flashlights, radios, duct tape, and general tools.
Make a Plan
Know what evacuation zone you are in and decide ahead of time your evacuation route, form of transportation, and shelter plan. Here are some items to put in place for your plan:
- Ensure that you have ways to receive emergency alerts and warnings, and establish a family communication plan with emergency contact information—since cell phone towers could be overburdened during times of disasters, text messages and social media messenger apps are recommended as ways to communicate with family and friends.
- Make a list of items and belongings you plan to take with you, and only carry what is absolutely necessary.
- Be sure you have a waterproof container to store important documents for evacuation purposes, including insurance information, emergency contacts, birth certificates, social security cards, and credit union account information.
- Make preparations now for what you will do with your pets, stock up on their food and medications, and have your vet’s contact information handy.
Prepare Your Home
There’s no place like home, right? Here’s a good way to take care of it for disastrous weather:
- Review your insurance policies, hurricane deductibles, and flood insurance requirements. Keep your insurance policy number and contact information readily available.
- Create an inventory of your home’s contents such as electronics, jewelry, vehicles, and appliances.
- Clear clogged gutters and downspouts, and trim low-hanging or dead tree branches. Be sure you have enough space in your home or garage to store outdoor furniture and other patio items. While seemingly small and insignificant, they can become damaging projectiles in strong winds.
- Test-run generators in a well-ventilated outdoor space
- Make sure your storm shutters are organized and labeled.
- A Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC) can be a helpful way to upgrade your home with impact-resistant windows and sturdier roofing. Or, you could you tap into the equity in cases of costly repairs or a high deductible.
Additional Hurricane Resources
Learn more about how to prepare for a hurricane and how to get help if one strikes with these resources:
- FloridaDisaster.org
- Ready.gov
- National Hurricane Center
- Florida Division of Emergency Management
- Telephone Number: 850-815-4000
- Florida Highway Patrol
- American Red Cross
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
- TTY: 800-462-7585
- 770-220-5200 (Local: Region IV, Florida Regional Office)
SCCU is Here for You: Before, During, and After a Storm
We take hurricane preparedness and business continuity planning very seriously. If a storm is approaching, we’ll keep you in the loop about any branch closures and expected reopening days/times on SCCU.com. We work to remain open as long as possible to serve members, and we reopen as quickly as we can after the storm. Power, damage, and employee availability all play a part in how quickly we can return to service.
In the event of closures, we offer Online Banking and Mobile Banking to manage your accounts from anywhere, including transferring money, paying bills, and checking your account balances. If you’re not already enrolled, learn more about how to get started here.
While no one wants to experience a storm, planning and preparing will allow all of us to handle that event with less stress and far more safety.
In the event of closures, we offer Online Banking and Mobile Banking to manage your accounts from anywhere, including transferring money, paying bills, and checking your account balances. If you’re not already enrolled, learn more about how to get started here.
While no one wants to experience a storm, planning and preparing will allow all of us to handle that event with less stress and far more safety.
April 5, 2024 By Space Coast Credit Union
Are you worried about what will happen to your credit score if you pay a loan off early? Learn more here.
February 23, 2024 By Space Coast Credit Union
Looking to get a credit card? Here are numerous reasons why Visa Signature is the best points-based credit card (with no annual fee!).
January 22, 2024 By Space Coast Credit Union
Learn more about what a balance transfer is and how it can help you cut down on debt and save more money.
December 15, 2023 By Space Coast Credit Union
Secured lending refers to loans requiring collateral for loan approval. Types of collateral loans include secured credit cards & loans secured by bank accounts.
August 31, 2023 By Space Coast Credit Union
Here are 10 ways to save money while in college, allowing you to spend less time staring at an empty bank account and more time living the fun college life.
August 18, 2023 By Space Coast Credit Union
Perhaps your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k) or you’re self-employed. See some of the best alternative ways to save for retirement.
July 27, 2023 By Members' Watchdog
You might receive offers in the mail or at stores to apply for a credit card. But you might be concerned that having too many credit cards may negatively impact your credit.
June 2, 2023 By Members' Watchdog
We break down how to find the best student checking account for teens in just five steps. See them here!
March 10, 2023 By Members' Watchdog
Money market accounts offer a plethora of savings benefits. Explore them all here.
February 13, 2023 By Space Coast Credit Union
Laddering CDs involves opening multiple CDs with staggered maturities. Let’s break down CD ladders so you can divide and conquer!
February 3, 2023 By Space Coast Credit Union
We’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of debit cards vs. credit cards. Plus, we’ll answer when’s the best time to use each card.
December 28, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
In this article, we’ll break down how to make a budget for beginners and how to stick to a budget once you’ve created one.
December 19, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are a special type of savings account with a guaranteed rate of return over a certain timeframe so you can give your savings a raise even while you sleep!
December 9, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
We’re sharing our top financial tips, with words of wisdom from SCCU Team Members, to help you improve your overall financial wellness.
November 25, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
When you’re seeking a Visa card and all its conveniences—but facing a roadblock with a lack of credit history—a secured credit card can help.
October 19, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
Visa Signature offers a rewards program, travel perks, low variable rates, security features, and more. We’ll give you the 360-degree view of why this card is worth having in your pocket.
October 4, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
By regularly depositing your hard-earned money into a high-yield savings account, you could be on a faster path to achieving your dreams.
September 23, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
We offer a full financial suite of products and services. Let’s dive into all of them!
September 16, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
Perhaps unexpected expenses are piling up, and you’re scrambling to figure out how to pay them all. We’ll cover how to consolidate debt in this article, which could be a light at the end of the tunnel for you.
September 9, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
Who doesn’t love earning money while spending money? Space Coast Credit Union’s (SCCU)’s Visa® Platinum—the star of the best cash back credit cards—gives you the power to do just that.
August 26, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
You’re probably well aware of what a credit score is, but what exactly determines your overall credit, and how does it benefit you?
August 19, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
Both CDs and money market accounts offer low-risk ways to earn more interest on your savings. Find out which one's for you here.
July 21, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
With everything from rates to perks, you may find yourself on the fence as you're making your decision between Visa® Platinum or Visa Signature®. This article provides a comparison between the two to help you decide.
July 13, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
It's always a good idea to prepare for a hurricane before it's even on the radar. Here's a checklist to help you get started.
June 29, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
Not sure if it's better to get an IRA or a 401(k)? Learn more about their differences here and how they can help you save for retirement.
June 22, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
From depositing checks to paying bills, your checking account should work FOR you and not against you with unnecessary extra monthly fees. See why it's worth switching to a Free Checking account at SCCU.
February 23, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
You’re walking along the beach and begin to feel thirsty. Your heart sinks once you realize your wallet is over a mile away. But then you realize that you have your phone with you, which means you can still access all of your cards through your digital wallet app! Learn more about all of its benefits here.
February 15, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
Credit cards offer several benefits from covering emergencies to earning rewards. But with so many card options available (and vying for your attention) with cash back or points, it can be overwhelming to choose a rewards program that’s best for you. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each type to help you score rewards in no time!
January 28, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
Checking accounts are like a Grand Central Station for your money—flowing in and out with deposits and withdrawals. Many banks and credit unions offer free checking accounts, but what exactly is a free checking account and why should you get one?
January 7, 2022 By Space Coast Credit Union
When you want to borrow money—perhaps for a mortgage or a car loan—or to get approved for a credit card, lenders typically require a decent credit score. But, what is a good credit score, and how can you make sure you have one?
December 21, 2021 By Space Coast Credit Union
Today, strategically selecting whether or not to use a credit card and which one to use can be part of savvy financial management. We're taking a look at why the Visa® Platinum credit card at SCCU may be the one for you.
December 10, 2021 By Space Coast Credit Union
Saving money can be challenging. But after the holiday season, it’s often a top New Year’s resolution. From joining special savings accounts to making some daily item switches, we’ve rounded up 10 ways that could save you thousands of dollars a year!
November 12, 2021 By Space Coast Credit Union
Here are our top do’s and don’ts to keep in mind while holiday shopping with credit cards.
September 28, 2021 By Space Coast Credit Union
Maybe you’ve run into the following paradox: How do I get a credit card with less-than-perfect credit (or no credit) if I need a credit card to build my credit? You’re in luck because secured credit cards break this cycle!
September 21, 2021 By Carmen Tapanes
While teens can watch hundreds of videos on the Internet about finances, experience is often the best teacher when it comes to managing money. But it can feel overwhelming for them to know where to start learning the fiscal ropes. Opening a checking account gives them a learner’s permit to handling financial matters with the peace of mind of having an adult as the co-owner.
September 14, 2021 By Space Coast Credit Union
When searching for the right checking account, most people would prefer one that’s “free” — and rightly so. But it can be hard to know what exactly “free” means today when we know that fees and terms are often the name of the game. The reality is that financial institutions will define "free" in different ways.
July 23, 2021 By Space Coast Credit Union
Credit cards can be an excellent tool for building credit when you’re financing purchases both big and small. Most credit cards today deliver some form of benefit with membership—accumulating points, cash back, airline miles, or other deals, consumers have a wealth of choices.
February 3, 2021 By Space Coast Credit Union
Discover how to obtain financial peace in 5 simple steps. Learn how to pay off your debts the right way and educate yourself on how to live financially free.
January 29, 2021 By Space Coast Credit Union
This guide offers steps that you can put into practice immediately as you work towards financial freedom.
February 16, 2017 By Space Coast Credit Union
Virtually everything costs money, and it’s often more than you’d expect it to be.
November 3, 2016 By Space Coast Credit Union
Be sure to watch out for these three common pitfalls when enrolling in workplace benefits.
Was this helpful?
Thank you for your feedback!