FINANCIAL
Banking or payment system disruption
Cards, ATMs or online banking unavailable.
Official evacuation orders and immediate life-threatening hazards take priority over this guide. Call 911 in an emergency.
1WHAT TO VERIFY
- Check your bank's official status page or phone line, beware of scam texts and calls.
- Do not act on unverified social media posts or forwarded messages.
2IMMEDIATE ACTIONS
- Use emergency cash in small denominations for essentials.
- Prioritize food, water, medication, fuel and shelter.
3HOUSEHOLD SAFETY
- Do not display large amounts of cash.
- Never give account details to unsolicited callers claiming to be your bank.
4COMMUNICATIONS
- Coordinate with family on shared expenses and who pays for what.
5SUPPLIES
- Keep a cash reserve sized by the Emergency Cash calculator.
- Copies of account numbers and bank contact info stored securely.
6SHELTER OR EVACUATION
- Not normally a reason to evacuate.
7BUSINESS CONTINUITY
- Have a manual receipt process and a policy for accepting cash or IOUs.
- Communicate payroll timing clearly to employees.
8RECOVERY
- Reconcile accounts and check for unauthorized transactions.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
General educational guidance. Not a substitute for official instructions or professional medical advice.