Storms are unpredictable—but your financial readiness doesn’t have to be. For families in the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and other coastal regions, hurricane and typhoon seasons bring more than just bad weather. They often bring power outages, closed banks, and disrupted communication networks that can make accessing money difficult when it is needed most.
If you send money home to loved ones in these regions, you play a vital role in their safety and recovery. This guide covers simple, proactive steps you can take now to ensure you can support your family with speed, ease, and calm, even if disaster strikes.
Why Financial Readiness Matters in Storm Season
When a hurricane or typhoon makes landfall, the physical damage is visible immediately. However, the financial impact often starts before the storm hits and lasts long after it passes.
During severe weather events, local infrastructure takes a hit. According to the U.S. government’s readiness resources, extended power outages can force banks, ATMs, and money transfer locations to close unexpectedly. If your family relies on picking up cash in person, a storm could cut off their access to funds for days or even weeks.
Furthermore, internet connectivity often becomes unstable. This makes it stressful to try and enter credit card details or find recipient information in a panic. By preparing your finances before the Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1—or before the Pacific typhoon season peaks in late summer—you provide a layer of security for the people you care about.
When and How to Send Support
Timing is everything. Sending support proactively rather than reactively removes stress for everyone involved.
The Importance of Early Action
Money transfer networks rely on local infrastructure. If power lines are down in a specific province, local partners may be offline. By sending support before the weather escalates, you ensure your family has the resources they need to prepare.
Remitly During Disasters
Remitly is committed to keeping your connection open. Our app remains operational 24/7. However, we rely on local partners to dispense funds. If a specific pickup location is closed due to safety concerns, you can track your transfer in the app for updates. We recommend using bank deposits or mobile wallet transfers during these times, as they are less dependent on physical branch hours.
Save Recipient Info and Preferred Payout Options
When internet connections are spotty—which is common during high winds and heavy rains—apps can sometimes load slowly. You can save valuable time by ensuring all your recipient’s details are saved and up to date.
Having to type out a full name, address, and phone number manually can be frustrating if your signal keeps dropping. By saving these details in your profile now, you can bypass the data entry and get straight to the “Send” button.
Real-world benefits
Consider a scenario where local banks are closed due to flooding, but mobile networks are still operational. If you have already saved your recipient’s mobile money account details (like GCash in the Philippines or other mobile wallets), you can switch your delivery method instantly without needing to ask them for account numbers in the middle of a crisis.
Have a Plan: Talk to Your Family Now
Financial preparedness is as much about communication as it is about money. Before the season intensifies, have a calm conversation with your loved ones about their emergency plan.
Questions to ask your family:
- Where is the safest place to receive money? If their usual bank is in a flood-prone area, is there a location on higher ground?
- Is a mobile wallet better? Mobile wallets often remain accessible even if physical cash pickup locations close.
- Do they have emergency documents? Encourage them to keep digital copies of IDs and insurance papers, as recommended by agencies like FEMA and the CFPB.
Knowing the answers to these questions now prevents panic later. It allows you to act decisively because you already know exactly what your family needs.
Quick Checklist for Financial Storm Prep
Use this checklist to ensure you are ready before the storm warnings start.
- Pre-fund your Remitly Wallet: Ensure you have an emergency balance ready to send.
- Save contacts: Verify that all phone numbers and names are spelled correctly in the app.
- Confirm payout methods: Add alternative delivery options, such as mobile wallets or bank deposits, in case cash pickup is unavailable.
- Set alerts: Sign up for local weather advisories for both your location and your recipient’s region.
- Make a communication plan: Agree on how you will stay in touch if standard cell service goes down (e.g., WhatsApp, social media, or landlines).
Tools That Help You Stay Ready
Technology is your ally during unpredictable weather. The Remitly app is designed to work efficiently, helping you support your loved ones even when conditions aren’t perfect.
Unlike traditional wire services that require you to visit a physical store—which might be closed or dangerous to travel to—a digital remittance app lets you send support from the safety of your own home. Additionally, features like transfer tracking allow you to see exactly when funds arrive, providing reassurance to both you and your recipient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. This affects the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the U.S. East Coast. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins slightly earlier on May 15 and ends November 30. In the Western Pacific, typhoons can occur year-round, though they are most common between May and October.
What if my recipient cannot reach a bank?
If physical locations are inaccessible, sending money to a mobile wallet is often a reliable alternative. Funds are deposited digitally, allowing your recipient to use them for digital payments or cash out later when it is safe.
Should I send cash or use a bank deposit?
This depends on the situation on the ground. Cash pickup is fast but requires a physical store to be open. Bank deposits are secure but may take time to clear. Mobile wallets often offer the best balance of speed and accessibility during infrastructure disruptions.
How much money should I send for an emergency?
Experts recommend having enough funds to cover at least three to five days of essential supplies, such as food, water, and fuel. Discuss this amount with your family beforehand so you can have it ready in your wallet.
Storm Season Starts Before the Weather Changes
You cannot control the weather, but you can control how prepared you are for it. A few minutes of financial preparation now—pre-funding your wallet, saving details, and talking to your family—can mean the difference between stress and security when a storm hits.
You are not just sending money; you are sending love, care, and stability. By getting ready today, you ensure that you can be there for your family exactly when they need you.