Make a hard copy (print out) of each important legal document that you may need following a disaster. Keep original copies in a waterproof and fireproof safe inside a sturdy building. These documents include: the deed to your house, the title to vehicles you own, court orders such as custody agreements or guardianship appointments, birth certificates, social security cards, passports and driver’s licenses or other state IDs, insurance policies for all property you own, health insurance, and life insurance, estate planning documents such as a will or trust, and healthcare directives.

If you can store medication in an evacuation kit, it’s prudent to do so. Make sure you check the expiration date every few months and replace as needed. Otherwise, keep an updated copy of your prescription or at the very least, a piece of paper indicating the name of the medication, the dosage, and frequency of consumption, along with your healthcare provider’s contact info.

Pack as much bottled water as possible and small, non-perishable snacks such as granola bars, nuts, and MRE’s (meals ready to eat or dehydrated meals). Make sure you check the expiration date every few months and replace as needed.

And a fully charged portable battery pack (or multiple battery packs) in case you are unable to use electricity in the location in which you’re sheltering-in-place.

If you’re able to, invest in a household generator to keep power running to your house if the power lines are down. These are typically powered by gasoline but investing in a solar powered generator will be the most reliable because you don’t need to worry about purchasing more gasoline to keep the generator running.

This will help you stay connected and informed, and browse the internet for disaster resources in the event you can’t find an internet connection or your mobile data has run out for the month.

If power is out in your entire community, retailers providing food and emergency supplies may be unable to process credit and debit card transactions. Having a stash of cash in your disaster kit will allow you to make purchases to provide for your immediate needs.

Quick evacuations immediately before or during a disaster can result in injury. Prepare a first aid kit or purchase an already assembled kit to quickly treat minor injuries while on the go. If serious injury occurs, call 911 or report to an emergency medical site as soon as possible.

Include toiletries for all household members including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouth wash, facial tissue and bath tissue, feminine products, and hand sanitizer.

Please visit our County Resource tab and print out a list of resources available in your area and the State of North Dakota so you know what resources are available to you and who to contact in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.

In severe natural disasters, your community or a nearby community may set up a MARC (multi-agency resource center) or DRC (disaster resource center). Subscribing to emergency alerts will ensure you receive information about these resource centers.

The worst-case scenario in a disaster is death. Planning for the death of yourself or a loved one can be a very difficult process. However, preparing an estate plan dealing with the legal aspect of your death easier on your loved ones. You can prepare an estate plan at any time, even if you don’t have many assets. Legal Services of North Dakota can assist you in preparing an estate plan if you qualify for our services.

If you or a loved one are injured in a disaster and are unable to communicate your health care preferences, a healthcare directive can provide the doctors and nurses caring for you with information about your healthcare wishes in the event of incapacitation. A spouse or parent may have the legal right to make healthcare decisions for you, but this is not always the case. Preparing a detailed plan of your healthcare desires and needs (such as a do not resuscitate order or a list of medications you’re allergic to, etc.) can ensure you get the proper care as quickly as possible and that you’re individual needs and desires are met. Do not place your healthcare directives in your will or estate plan. A will or estate plan is not reviewed by a hospital and is not reviewed by loved until after you pass away. A healthcare directive buried in an estate plan will not be made available to your healthcare providers and will therefore be ineffective. Please share your healthcare directives with your primary care provider and your family. Legal Services of North Dakota can assist with creating a healthcare directive if you qualify for our services.

If your or your spouse’s employer offers health insurance, enroll as soon as possible to ensure that you can afford healthcare in the event of injury during a disaster. 

Life insurance may be provided by your or your spouse’s employer. If it is not or does not provide the coverage you need, pursue individual life insurance plans to cover costs associated with your or your loved one’s death during a disaster. Make sure the life insurance plan includes coverage for disasters.

Property insurance. If you do not have any property insurance coverage, purchase a plan ASAP to avoid costly damages after a natural disaster. 

• It is legally required to carry vehicle insurance for vehicles being driven on North Dakota roads. However, the minimum insurance required doesn’t always include coverage for natural disaster related damages. Contact your insurer to add natural disaster related damage coverage to your vehicles. 
• Most mortgage lenders require homeowner’s insurance. Review your policy to ensure the types of natural disasters common in your area are covered by your policy. If you don’t believe you have a homeowner’s insurance policy but you do have a mortgage loan, your mortgage lender likely purchased insurance for you. Contact your lender to find the details of a force-placed insurance policy. 
• If you are a renter, your landlord may or may not require renter’s insurance. If you hold a renter’s insurance policy, review the coverage to ensure natural disasters are included. If you don’t hold a renter’s insurance policy, your landlord may have placed a policy on your property for you. Contact your landlord to review the details of the policy. 
• Flood insurance is not automatically included in homeowner’s or renter’s insurance plans. You must purchase flood insurance for your home separately from your standard policy. Floods include natural disaster flooding, plumbing issues, and sump pump failures. If you live in a flood plain, you were likely required to purchase flood insurance when you bought your home. Review your policy info to see if this is an add-on you’ve purchased. 
  • Check if your property is located in a flood plain.

Sit down with your family and household members and create a written plan in the event of a disaster. Think about where to meet if a disaster occurs and you’re not all together (i.e. a community center, church, or city park), where in your house or another building is safe to shelter-in-place (i.e. a basement or room with no windows), and an evacuation route in case evacuation is recommended. 

Ensure all household members are aware of where disaster kits are located, what is included in them, and that those items are not to be used unless a disaster has occurred. 

Ensure all household members know how to access emergency alerts, how to stay informed, and what resources are available in your community. 

Ensure all household members know the details of relevant estate plans, healthcare directives, and insurance plans. 

Make a plan for protecting your property. Where will outdoor items be stored when preparing for inclement weather and a possible disaster? Where are tools located in your home to board up windows? Where is the household generator located and how to operate it? Etc.