TAMPA, Fla. — By now, you should have already started putting together an essential list of supplies to stock your hurricane kit for this year, but financial experts say many people may be forgetting those preparations you can make now for after the storm passes.


What You Need To Know

  • Financial experts say safeguarding important documents in a watertight safe or storing them electronically can help recovery after a storm 

  • Tax documents, insurance paperwork, mortgage, deed, retirement accounts and even permit history for your home are all documents that could be needed if you suffer storm damage

  • Having an emergency fund equal to six-months household income can help kick-start recovery after a storm

  • Including other family members in the financial planning process for a disaster is advised so more than one family member can help managing expenses and finances

  • View the Spectrum Bay News 9 Hurricane Guide

  • View our Preparing for Storm Season 2025 special

Bank of America Tampa Bay Market President Michael Esposito says gathering important documents and placing them in a watertight safe or electronically storing them could make all the difference for homeowners and renters if they suffer damage.

He also says to make sure more than one person in the family understands where the documents are, and who needs to be contacted for financial matters.

ā€œIn many families, we have one individual who is in charge of the finances for that group and family,ā€ said Esposito. ā€œIt’s always important, and probably a great idea, to include more people into that so they have more understanding if something were to happen, if bills need to be paid or who you need to reach out to.ā€

Bank of America has released a list of documents you should have on hand in the event you suffer storm damage, which could make recovery a much faster process.

ā€œThink about recent tax returns, property deeds, brokerage and retirement account information. Those you want to have maybe in a safety deposit box or in a waterproof safe, something you can access them later on,ā€ said Esposito.

Preparing for the paperwork nightmare after a storm is something real estate consultant Greg Cowen knows all too well.

His home on Davis Islands suffered severe damage from Hurricane Helene’s tidal surge last year.

His family was displaced for almost nine months, staying in short-term rentals and with friends, until repairs could be made.

The work isn’t done at Cowen’s home, but the family has been able to move back in.

ā€œSome of the things we needed right up front were obviously all of your insurance documents, your declaration pages,ā€ said Cowen. ā€œThings like surveys, your permit history would have been really great to have.ā€

Finally, financial experts say you should aim to have an emergency fund equal to six months of household income.

But even if you can’t save that amount in time for a storm, they say any savings can help after a storm.

Cash on hand can speed the recovery process, and help out with the essentials after a disaster.