09/03/2026
When we think about preparing for a disaster, we usually think about water, food, medications, flashlights, and an evacuation plan.
But there's another kind of preparedness that's easy to overlook:
Knowing where your important documents are.
After a wildfire, flood, or other disaster, paperwork can suddenly matter—a lot. You may need documents to prove where you live, make an insurance claim, apply for disaster assistance or replace something that was lost.
So this National Preparedness Month, add one more thing to your family's preparedness list: your legal go-kit.
Keep important documents together somewhere safe, and consider storing secure digital copies that you can access even if you can't return home.
And remember: recovery doesn't always end when the immediate emergency does.
Legal questions involving FEMA assistance, insurance, housing, and other issues can surface weeks or months later. That's one reason New Mexico Legal Aid's Disaster Legal Services team takes our Mobile Intake + Outreach Vehicle into communities across the state—so people can get information and support closer to home.
Throughout September, we'll be out in the community at disaster preparedness events, too. If you see the NMLA vehicle, come say hello. 👋
Preparedness isn't about expecting the worst.
It's about making the next step a little easier if the unexpected happens.
