From More In My Basket

Our North Carolina communities are resilient, and as hurricane season ramps up, it’s important to equip ourselves with tools that support financial stability and peace of mind. . Here are five thoughtful budgeting tips to help you reduce storm-related financial stress.

Tip 1: Build an emergency fund

Creating a dedicated emergency fund is a key financial step in preparing for hurricane season. This fund acts as a buffer for unplanned, storm-related expenses such as temporary lodging, transportation, or even changes to your grocery budget if food access or prices are affected. Aim to save at least one week of typical household expenses. Even a few dollars from each paycheck or automatic transfers can add up over time. Opening a separate bank account, even with a small balance, can help keep these funds secure, easy to access, and separate from your day-to-day transactions. Accounts that don’t have a monthly fee or minimum balance requirement will maximize your savings.

If you receive SNAP benefits, it’s also important to remember that they roll over from month to month. Saving part of your monthly SNAP funds for an emergency can provide a cushion for your food budget.

Tip 2: Stock up gradually for your emergency food supply

Building an emergency food supply doesn’t require purchasing everything at once. Instead, go slow and steady. Each time you visit the grocery store, add an extra non-perishable item or two to your cart—perhaps an extra can of beans, a box of shelf-stable milk, or a bag of rice. Develop a multi-day meal plan to ensure that items bought over time can be combined to create meals and snacks. Watching for sales, using coupons, and taking advantage of mobile savings apps or store loyalty rewards will maximize your resources as you build your meal-plan food supply. For North Carolinians using SNAP benefits, this helps stretch your food budget while building a more resilient pantry.

Keeping emergency food separate from everyday groceries will ensure it is  available and easy to access when needed. Importantly, this budget-friendly approach will help you avoid last-minute shopping when a storm is approaching. With gradual stocking your household  will be prepared with food on-hand during power outages or transportation delays. 

Tip 3: Utilize mobile and online banking

Setting up mobile and online banking is a smart and practical way to prepare for hurricane season. Storms can disrupt power, mail, and banking access for days or even weeks. Enabling direct deposit for your income or benefits, using online bill pay, and activating mobile check deposits ensure continued access to your money and the ability to manage bills during a disaster. Electronic statements keep your info accessible, even if you relocate or mail is disrupted. SNAP recipients can also download the official ebtEDGE mobile app. This app allows you to check your EBT balance, review your transaction history, and even temporarily freeze your card to protect against fraud—especially useful during or after a storm. 

Tip 4: Keep emergency cash on hand

Although digital banking provides ease and convenience, it’s also important to have a physical backup. In the wake of a hurricane, digital payment systems can quickly go offline. Power outages may render ATMs and credit card machines unusable, and banks may be closed. In these cases, cash is essential for food, fuel, and supplies—especially if you evacuate or stores become cash-only.

Start building a cash reserve by setting aside a few dollars at a time, and storing it in a safe, secure place. Try adding to your reserve each week or month, and include it as a line in your household budget to keep it consistent. Aim to save enough cash for a few days of expenses and keep small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s) so that you can make purchases even when change is limited. A small cash reserve can provide flexibility when standard payment methods are unavailable.

Tip 5: Secure your important documents

After a storm, having quick access to important documents is necessary for filing insurance claims, applying for assistance or verifying your identity. Create a weatherproof, “grab-and-go” kit with physical copies of key records. Include identification, insurance policies, medical cards, and bank account information. You can request digital copies from insurers, and libraries offer low-cost printing. If you receive SNAP benefits, be sure to include your EBT card and PIN. It’s also helpful to pack a copy of your most recent SNAP correspondence, which includes your case number and local DSS contact information. You can see a detailed list of documents to include here.

For additional backup, upload digital versions to a secure, password-protected cloud account or store them on a USB flash drive kept in a safe place. Keeping both paper and digital copies ensures you can access key information during recovery. You can also download FEMA’s free Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) to help you gather, organize, and protect key documents in case of disaster. Visit www.ready.gov/financialpreparedness. 

By taking these five proactive steps, you’re investing in your household’s resilience. These strategies help reduce stress, manage disruptions, and support a smoother recovery.

Remember, SNAP can also serve as a vital financial resource to help you prepare for and recover from weather-related emergencies. For questions about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or to get help with applying, contact the More In My Basket staff:

Visit: morefood.org
English Toll Free: 1-855-240-1451
Spanish Toll Free: 1-888-382-7105

Sources:

1. An essential guide to building an emergency fund (CFPB)
2. Emergency Cash Stash (Utah State Extension)
3. Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) (FEMA)

4. Financial Preparedness (Ready.gov)
5. Guide to Hurricane Preparedness on a Budget (FEMA)
6. How To Be Financially Ready for Hurricane Season (Anahuac National Bank)
7. How to Build a Disaster Supply Kit (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes)
8. Hurricane season 2025: How to create a budget-friendly hurricane go-bag (Orlando Sentinel)
9. Prepare Before Hurricane Season (NOAA)
10. Safeguard Critical Documents and Valuables  (Ready.gov)