These 3 Hurricane Preparedness Tips Could Save Your Financial Life

Hurricane Preparedness

As hurricane season approaches, it’s more than just securing your home—it’s about safeguarding your financial well-being. A major storm can disrupt power, close branch locations, and cut off your access to cash or accounts. These three hurricane preparedness tips can literally save your financial life by ensuring you maintain control over your money, even in the toughest conditions.

CSE Emergency Prep Tips

Know Your Account and PIN Number

One of the simplest yet most critical steps is memorizing (or safely storing) your account number and PIN. After a hurricane strikes, power or internet outages can prevent you from retrieving account information online or relying on Representatives to look it up. Having your account number and PIN at your fingertips lets you:

  • Withdraw emergency cash: Even if your branch’s systems are offline, knowing your information allows you to use ATMs that may still be operational or to complete transactions at Shared Branch locations (more on that below).
  • Make loan or bill payments: If you need to pay a loan installment, insurance premium, or utilities once systems are restored, knowing your account credentials expedites the process.
  • Verify identity quickly: In the aftermath of a storm, phone or in-person verifications can be slowed by high call volumes. Being able to recite your exact information helps CSE Representatives assist you without delay.
💡 Pro Tip: Write important financial information on a CSE Hurricane Preparedness Card! This will help you not have to rely on memory alone when disaster strikes, but be sure to store it securely!
Emergency Supplies

Have Cash and Checks on Hand

In a widespread outage, electronic payment systems (ATMs, point-of-sale devices, even online bill pay) may be unavailable. Having a small reserve of cash and unused checks can make all the difference:

Cash

  • When local stores or gas stations switch to cash-only, you can still buy essentials (water, canned goods, ice, fuel).
  • Cash is universally accepted, even if card readers are offline or network connections are down.

Checks

  • If you need to pay rent, a landlord, neighbor, or small business that cannot process electronic payments may only accept a check.
  • Checks allow you to document payments when digital confirmations aren’t possible.

Utilize Digital and Online Financial Services

Digital tools are essential during a hurricane, especially if travel or power outages limit your in-person options. Before the storm:

  • Enroll in Online and Mobile Banking: Make sure your login credentials work, and that you know how to transfer funds between accounts, pay bills, and set up automatic payments. Already a CSE Member? Download the CSE MOBiLE app today for iOS and Android.
  • Set Up Mobile Wallets: Services like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet let you make contactless purchases at retailers that still have power and internet—even if your physical debit/credit cards are buried in storage.
  • Activate Text Alerts and Mobile Notifications: Customize notifications for low-balance alerts, successful or failed transactions, and suspicious activity. Real-time alerts help you react quickly if something goes wrong.
  • Download Critical Documents: Save PDF statements, insurance policies, and any mortgage or lease agreements to your smartphone or tablet so you can reference them if needed.
Hurricane Preparedness

How CSE Can Help

When a storm forces you to evacuate, CSE ensures you never lose access to your financial resources. First, through the Shared Branching Network, CSE Members can visit any Shared Branch location nationwide to deposit or withdraw funds, make loan payments, and manage accounts—even if CSE branches in southwest Louisiana are closed. This means that no matter where you land, you still have a “home branch” waiting, so you can keep your loan payments on schedule, avoid late fees, and handle routine account questions as if you were back at a local CSE office.

Second, our Hurricane Preparedness Disaster Card puts vital information in your wallet. On one compact card, you’ll find:

  • A space to write down important financial information, ensuring you have your credentials when power and internet are down.
  • Important phone numbers, including after-hours Online/Mobile banking support, 24/7 debit card assistance, and CSE's toll free number, so you can call for help or assistance without searching online.
  • A quick checklist of action items—like “Know your account number(s) and “Have extra cash on hand”—to keep you focused when time is short.

By keeping this Disaster Card in your wallet or purse, you eliminate the scramble to find account details or emergency contacts when minutes matter. And because it’s wallet-sized, it goes wherever you go—keeping CSE’s support literally at your fingertips.

Even if you’re not a CSE Member, applying these tips can help ensure your financial health during a storm. But if you are a Member, enjoy the added peace of mind of a nationwide Shared Branch Network and a Disaster Card designed for emergencies. If you haven’t yet joined CSE, now is the perfect time!

Join Today and Start Getting Financially Prepared!

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Cade Everritt