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Credit unions are being advised to take precautions and review NAFCU's resources if they need as Hurricane Florence – currently a Category 4 storm – makes its way to the Carolinas and Virginia.

NAFCU has prepared specific resources and information for credit unions affected by disasters – including a guide for credit unions to support disaster relief.

The NCUA also has resources available on its Hurricane and Disaster Information page. The agency's Credit Union Resources and Expansion office can provide urgent need grants of up to $7,500 per year to low-income credit unions that experience sudden costs to restore operations interrupted by a disaster.

Among other resources available to credit unions and their communities:

• FEMA has general information about disasters and usually creates resources for specific federal disaster declarations. The agency also provides helpful information for flood insurance policy holders.
• State governments frequently release resources to help consumers and credit unions, which are often found on the state's emergency management division's website. Information specific to credit unions is sometimes included on the state financial institutions' regulator website.
• Credit unions that offer small business loans through the Small Business Administration may be interested in the administration's Disaster Loan Program. The agency also sometimes issues short-term deferments for certain loan programs following a federal disaster declaration.
• The National Credit Union Foundation's CUAid relief system is sometimes activated in response to a disaster. The program raises money for the Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund, which directly connects with area leagues to disburse funds through a grant program.

NAFCU will continue to support its members to ensure all have access to needed resources in the aftermath of the storm.