Another major hurricane season looms.

The Big One is due any day now.

A bird flu pandemic is possible.

Florida's already into the fire season.

And Tornado Alley always lives up to its name.

Unfortunately, natural disasters are a way of life.

If you are lucky, you'll never have to recover from one.

If you are smart, you'll make sure you can -- just in case.

While you are preparing for the survival of your family, Fido and the fragile roof over your head, don't overlook the financial life you'll also need when the rest of the world is spinning around you.

"Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country", produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the California Earthquake Authority reminds us that when disaster hits home, it hits it in more ways than one.

Bank operations could be disrupted, limiting access to cash. Food, drug and retailers could be down for the count and unable to restock. Government assistance, insurance, and other financial relief -- which may or may not cover your total loss -- doesn't really amount to a hill of beans if your neighborhood is a mountain of impassable rubble.

Nevertheless, ultimately, you'll remain responsible for most if not all of your debts and other financial obligations, and as soon as disaster hits, you'll start to feel the pinch.

It won't smart so much if you are prepared.

Chase Bank, the consumer and commercial banking brand of JPMorgan Chase & Co., recently reminded those who live in hurricane prone areas that now is the time -- before disaster hits -- to get those bucks in a row.

"As many Louisiana residents learned during last year's hurricanes, financial planning can be the difference between peace of mind and heartache," said Michael Lulich, head of Chase's retail operations in greater New Orleans in a prepared statement.

Don Barnes, head of Chase's retail operations in Baton Rouge chimed in, "A good financial plan for disasters such as hurricanes should include easy access to funds, protection of personal financial information and communication with other family members."

Chase, USGS and others offer these disaster preparation tips to help save your financial life.

Published: May 18, 2006

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A journalist for 35-years, Broderick Perkins parlayed an old-school daily newspaper career into a digital news service offering editorial content and consulting services. Perkins' San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group includes the flagship news site, DeadlineNews.Com, offering real estate, personal finance and consumer journalism, and a backshop, the Deadline Newsroom.