Premier Services Inc.

Weather - In general, weather plays an important role in our everyday life. Among the more popular is the commercial link Weather.com. From this site, you can enter a city or zip code and obtain a current report and five day forecast. If you are planning a trip, you should check out the conditions at your destination to give you an idea of the right clothing and accessories to pack.

Severe Weather - In areas that are accustomed to severe weather warnings, the National Weather Service provides state reports and warnings by clicking your state in a map of the United States.

Hurricanes - The National Hurricane Center provides valuable resources for tracking and anticipating landfall for hurricanes threatening the United States. This is important for individuals residing in hurricane prone areas or those planning business or vacation travel to those areas.

Earthquakes - Because earthquakes are generally unpredictable, earthquake preparedness is stressed in areas prone to earthquake activity. An Emergency Supplies Checklist and Family Earthquake Preparation Guide can help you prepare for the eventuality. Additional pre and post quake information is available from the California State Department of Emergency Services. Additional earthquake resources include:

• United States Geological Survey
• Caltech

Casualty Losses - Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, along with thefts, fires and other accidents can cause financial losses that may be deductible on your tax return as a casualty loss. For more information on casualty losses, read the following Overview of the Casualty Loss Deduction.

Casualty Loss Inventory Forms - A variety of casualty loss forms are provided to assist you in taking inventory of your losses:

• Universal Casualty Loss Inventory Form
• Personal Use Property Loss Inventory Form
• Business Property Loss Inventory Form

If the losses are substantial due to fire, hurricane, earthquake, flood, etc., we suggest you take inventory of the lost items as soon as possible after the casualty event. If dealing with the loss of a home, we suggest you list your losses by room. Note: It is good practice to periodically take photographs of the interior and exterior of your home and other property to help you determine the loss, should one occur.

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Casualty Loss Definition - A casualty is the damage, destruction, or loss of property resulting from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected, or unusual.

A sudden event is one that is swift, not gradual or progressive.

An unexpected event is one that is ordinarily unanticipated and unintended.

An unusual event is one that is not a day-to-day occurrence and that is not typical of the activity in which you were engaged.

Disaster Losses - Disaster losses are casualty losses that occur in a geographical area declared a disaster region designated by the President of U.S. Generally, casualty losses must be taken in the year in which they occur. However, if the casualty occurs in a designated disaster region, the losses can be taken either in the year of the loss or the year prior to the loss. When to take the loss depends upon a number things including tax rates for each year, the amount of the loss, whether or not the loss is used up in one tax year and the taxpayer need for cash, generated more quickly by filing the loss in the preceding year.  In addition, if the casualty loss exceeds a taxpayer’s income for the year, the loss can be carried back as a net operating loss to the tax return for the 2nd preceding year and then carried forward.  For 2008 and 2009, the loss can be carried back five years.

Determining the Loss - Generally, the deductible loss is the lesser of the cost or fair market value of each item lost in the casualty. Once the loss is determined for each individual item, then those amounts are added together to determine the total loss for each different casualty event. 

Business or Personal Casualty - Casualty losses are categorized as either business or personal casualty losses. Those that are business are fully deductible without limitations. Personal casualty losses, on the other hand, are first reduced by $100 ($500 for 2009 only) for each event and then the total of all events for the year is reduced by 10% of your annual income (AGI). For 2008 and 2009, the 10% of AGI reduction is waived in disaster areas. In addition, for personal casualty losses, you must itemize your deductions in order to take advantage of the loss.  Note that for 2008 and 2009, if the loss occurred in a Presidential disaster region, the loss can be added to the taxpayer’s standard deduction.

Insurance Reimbursement - Your casualty loss must be reduced by the amount of any insurance reimbursement. Generally, if you are insured for your loss and the insurance company offers you an amount that is deemed by the insurance company to be the FMV of the item or items lost in the casualty, you will generally not have a casualty loss unless the combination of insurance loss limits and deductibles exceed the personal loss limitations.

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Essentials
Water -- 1 gallon per person per day (a week's supply of water is preferable)
Water purification kit
First aid kit, freshly stocked, First aid book
Food
Can opener (non-electric)
Blankets or sleeping bags
Portable radio, flashlight and spare batteries
Essential medications
Extra pair of eyeglasses
Extra pair of house and car keys
Fire extinguisher -- A-B-C type
Food, water and restraint (leash or carrier) for pets
Cash and change
Baby supplies: formula, bottle, pacifier, soap and baby powder, clothing, blankets, baby wipes, disposable diapers, canned food and juices.

Sanitation Supplies
Large plastic trash bags for waste, tarps and rain ponchos, large trash cans
Bar soap, liquid detergent, shampoo
Toothpaste and toothbrushes
Feminine hygiene supplies
Toilet paper
Household bleach

Safety and Comfort
Sturdy shoes
Heavy gloves for clearing debris
Candles and matches
Light sticks
Change of clothing
Knife or razor blades
Garden hose for siphoning and firefighting
Tent
Communication kit: paper, pens, stamps

Cooking
Plastic knives, forks, spoons
Paper plates, cups and paper towels
Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Camping stove for outdoor cooking (Caution: before using fire to cook, make sure there are no gas leaks; never use charcoal indoors.)

Tools and Supplies
Axe, shovel, broom
Adjustable wrench for turning off gas
Tool kit including a screwdriver, pliers and a hammer
Coil of 1/2" rope
Plastic tape, staple gun and sheeting for window replacement
Bicycle
City map

Information provided by the State of California Office of Emergency Preparedness.

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The Plan

• Stock up on at least a three-day supply of food, water, clothes, medical supplies and other necessary equipment for everyone in your family. Make sure everyone knows where to find them. (See the information sheet on emergency supplies in this packet.)
  
  
• Decide where and when to reunite your family should you be apart when an earthquake happens.
  
  
• Choose a person outside the immediate area to contact if family members are separated. Long-distance phone service will probably be restored sooner than local service. Do not use the phone immediately after an earthquake.
  
  
• Know the policies of the school or daycare center your children attend. Make plans to have someone pick them up if you are unable to get to them.
  
  
• If you have a family member who does not speak English, prepare an emergency card written in English indicating that person's identification, address and any special needs such as medication or allergies. Tell that person to keep the card with him/her at all times.
  
  
• Conduct Earthquake: Duck, Cover & Hold drills every six months with your family.
  
  
• Know the safest place in each room because it will be difficult to move from one room to another during a quake.
  
  
• Locate the shutoff valves for water, gas and electricity. Learn how to shut off the valves before a quake. If you have any questions, call your utility company.
  
  
• Make copies of vital records and keep them in a safe deposit box in another city or state. Make sure your originals are stored safely.
  
  
• Before a quake occurs, call your local Red Cross Chapter and Office of Emergency Services to find out about their plans for emergency shelters and temporary medical centers in case of such a disaster.
  
  
• Establish all the possible ways to exit your house. Keep those areas clear.
  
  
• Know the locations of the nearest fire and police stations.
  
  
• Take photos and/or videos of your valuables. Make copies and keep them in another city or state.
  
  
• Include your babysitter and other household help in your plans.
  
  
• Keep an extra pair of eyeglasses and house and car keys on hand.
  
  
• Keep extra cash and change. If electricity is out, you will not be able to use an ATM.

 General Tips

• Stay away from heavy furniture, appliances, large glass panes, shelves holding objects, and large decorative masonry, brick or plaster such as fireplaces.
  
  
• Keep your hallway clear. It is usually one of the safest places to be during an earthquake.
  
  
• Stay away from kitchens and garages, which tend to be the most dangerous places because of the many items kept there.

Information provided by the State of California Office of Emergency Preparedness.

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