Have your documents ready and keep them safe

TAMPA - If you have to evacuate, you'll want to take necessary and hard-to-replace documents.

Here's a list of what should be in a waterproof, lockable container you can easily grab.

• Checkbook, savings account passbook
• Safe deposit box key
• Birth, death and marriage certificates, divorce decree
• Will and power of attorney
• Social Security card and records
• Military records and medical records (living will, health care surrogacy, etc.)
• Insurance policies
• Health insurance cards
• Retirement account records
• Recent pay stubs, in case you have to document employment to collect benefits
• Tax returns
• Car titles and registrations
• Mortgage deeds or rental agreements
• Warranties and receipts
• Credit cards
• Passports, green cards
• Food stamp, WIC or other benefit cards and paperwork
• List of important phone numbers (relatives, bank, and insurance company)
• Disc on which you back up computer files just before you shut down the computer and evacuate
• Home inventory (on paper, disc or video; you should keep another copy in a safe place)
• A few family photographs or other memorabilia