Emergency Preparedness 

Prepare for the Unexpected: Our Series on Emergency Preparedness

Residents of Whiteland, Indiana, shared their experiences of surviving the tornado that struck in March 2023. Many described a sense of fear and disbelief as the storm hit, with one individual recalling the chaos as they took shelter and heard the destruction outside. Others expressed a deep sense of helplessness but also gratitude for surviving such a devastating event. The emotional impact was significant, as people grappled with both the immediate danger and the long-term recovery process.

Earthquake . . . hurricane . . . terrorist attack . . . school shooting. Those terms appear in the headlines too often. Of course, it is one thing to read about a disaster; it is another to live through one.

What can you do before to prepare mentally and financially to improve the likelihood of your survival?

One thing we are very good at at Green Wealth Legacy is being prepared ahead of time, that is your number one tool to master if you want to be ready for surprises: Prepare! 

NO ONE is immune to disaster. Preparation is your most important key to survival. But what does preparation involve: 

• Prepare mentally. Acknowledge the fact that disasters happen and that you and your loved ones are potentially at risk. It is too late to prepare after disaster strikes.
• Learn about disasters that can happen in your area. Know where shelters are. Consider whether the construction of your home and its location are as safe as possible. Remove fire hazards. Install smoke detectors, and change their batteries at least once a year, if not more often.
• Prepare emergency supplies. Power, water, phone, and transportation services can fail. If you own a car, try to keep the fuel tank at least half full, and always have food, water, and an emergency kit in your home.​

This level of preparedness will strengthen your mindset and reassure you that you are doing your best to be ready. You are taking care of what you can control, and the rest is no longer up to you. 

These moments can throw a wrench in the wheels of our financial lives, causing disruptions that might take years to recover from, but with the right plans in place, the sting from the disruption will hurt less. 

Financial preparedness is crucial! In last week’s letter, I mentioned adding cash to your go bag; make sure it’s in small bills; it will help expedite transactions. 

To assess your financial preparedness for a natural disaster, consider asking yourself these questions:

• Is my emergency savings fund sufficient to cover 3-6 months or even up to a year of living expenses?
• Do I have the right insurance policies (home, renters, flood, etc.) and know how to file a claim?
• Are my important financial documents stored in a secure, easily accessible place? 
• Do I have a plan for accessing cash quickly if needed, in case banks and ATMs are unavailable?  
• Do I have a plan for additional costs like temporary housing, repairs, or emergency supplies?
• Am I familiar with disaster assistance programs? i.e., do I know how to apply for aid or loans in the event of a disaster?
• Are financial responsibilities and emergency plans clear to everyone in the family?

While we are approaching the season of increased natural disasters occurring, take the time to review your plans. You’re doing all that so you can ride out any future surprise event. 

If an event does happen, you’ll want to know what the first steps are to take to ensure safety for you and your family. Next week’s letter will discuss this. 

PS: Managing your finances with confidence includes developing the capabilities to plan ahead of time for any unexpected event, and sometimes all of this adulting can create anxiety. That is why one of the major pillars of our program, SAPPHIRE DESIGN, consists of teaching you how to navigate money management from your mind with ease and confidence. 

Speak soon,
Christiane
The Green Wealth Legacy Team