LSCU resources for storm response

A state of emergency has been declared for Alabama and Florida as Hurricane Michael continues to gather strength in the Caribbean. Credit unions are preparing for the arrival of the storm by midday on Wednesday.

The LSCU is ready to provide resources and support to any credit unions who may be impacted. The League will be closing its Tallahassee office at noon on Tuesday to allow staff to make preparations for the dangerous storm and will remain closed through Thursday evening. The Birmingham office will remain open to serve our credit unions.

If your credit union is impacted, please complete this status update and send to CUStatus@lscu.coop.

The BSA training scheduled for Mobile, AL has also been cancelled and will be rescheduled due to the storm. If you have any questions, please contact our LSCU Education Team.

Start preparing now and review the resources available from the League. Also available are:

• Disaster hotline instructions
• LSCU’s plan to assist our CUs
• Status update form
• NCUA low-income CUs qualify for urgent needs grants
• NCUA offers information, assistance to credit unions in path of Hurricane Michael

An important tip from Juli Lewis, SECUF Director:
At home, after preparing for the storm, make a personal inventory list. Pictures are great but on the slim chance that you lose everything (or even just the contents of a room or two), insurance requires a spreadsheet of every single item and the approximate value of each, from the big electronics down to the number of pairs of socks and coasters. After it’s gone, it’s hard to think back and remember every little thing…it’s worth creating ahead of time and keeping in a safe place with some pictures.

Here is a list of 10 things to do at your credit union to be fully prepared:

1. Make sure your credit union has emergency supplies and that employees are prepared.
2. “Cash is king” during disasters. Consider increasing your cash order/fully stock ATMs.
3. Raise computers and networking equipment above ground level in case flooding occurs.
4. Secure items outside the credit union that could become missiles during the storm.
5. Make sure your roof and gutters are free of debris.
6. Park your cars in safe areas away from trees that could fall.
7. Make sure list of emergency contact numbers is current – staff numbers, data processing vendor, IT support, credit unions with reciprocal processing agreements, etc.
8. Place plastic over equipment – garbage bag & packing tape can prevent water damage. Unplug equipment.
9. If you have a generator, test it to ensure it is working properly and that your fuel is topped off.
10. Ensure backup systems are working. Take at least one copy of server’s data offsite before storm. Ensure access to media required to re-install core data processing apps.

In addition to being physically prepared, we have systems in place to help each other when dealing with crisis. One of the key priorities of the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation is disaster relief and recovery. Please make sure that the LSCU has all of your updated contact information.