WASHINGTON — Tropical Storm Chris never reached Florida as wasexpected at one point, but CUNA enabled its Credit Union NationalEmergency Information System–1-877-CULOCATE–just in case.

The toll-free number is available to all credit unions to informtheir members and others of their operating status following adisaster, such as a hurricane. CUNA announced the service, operatedby VoiceGard, earlier this summer as hurricane season wasapproaching.

“When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast last year, one ofthe biggest problems was communication, including between creditunions and their members,” CUNA Director of Disaster Preparednessand Vice President of League Relations Scott Earl said.“1-877-CULOCATE is the credit union movement's answer to thisproblem, so that credit unions have a consistent and simple methodfor letting members, the news media, first responders and othersknow the status of the credit union.” Credit unions are encouragedto also have their own alternative emergency numbers, which can bereferenced in the CUNEIS message, to provide their members morein-depth information. CUNA also attached a flyer in the informationsent to the leagues describing VoiceGard's other services.