If you live an area where evacuations are expected, now is the time to put your preliminary plans into action. Fuel up the car, get extra cash since power outages may affect automated cash tellers, and decide where you will go and what you need to pack when the time comes to hit the road.

"Don't wait until the last minute to gather the items that will give you some degree of comfort when you are away from home waiting out the storm," said Jeanne Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute (III). "Taking the time to plan now will make a big difference in easing anxiety and helping you get back on your feet once the storm passes and you return home."

The Insurance Information Institute III offers these packing suggestions to make your evacuation run smoothly and to ensure you have what you need while you are away from home.

Organize important items to take

Medicines, prescriptions and toiletries
Clothing for at least three days
Blankets and toys
Flashlight and battery-powered radio
Computer hard drive or laptop
Photographs
Cash (as ATMs may not be working)
Gather Important Financial Documents

Keep important financial documents in a safe place that you can access easily. In the event of an evacuation take the following documents with you, preferably in a secure, waterproof container.

Insurance policies
Birth and marriage certificates
Passports
Drivers license or personal identification
Social Security cards
Recent tax returns
Employment information
Wills, deeds and recent tax returns
Stocks, bonds and other negotiable certificates
Bank, savings and retirement account numbers
Home inventory