The NCUA on Friday issued a bulletin to credit unions and their members as Topical Storm Isaac moved toward the Gulf of Mexico and an expected landfall sometime Tuesday between New Orleans and Tallahassee, Fla.

“Credit unions operating and people living in the Gulf Coast region know they need to prepare for serious storms,” said NCUA Board Chairman Debbie Matz. “We're reminding them today to take prudent precautions and that NCUA continues to protect deposits at federally insured credit unions during sunny days and after bad storms.”

The NCUA said it stands ready to activate the agency's emergency response plan, if necessary, which includes airing public service announcements that their deposits are insured, and activating its emergency hotline so members can check the status of their credit unions.

The agency also said it would help credit unions maintain normal operations or, in the event of a disruption, to restore those services as quickly as possible.

During and after Hurricane Katrina, the NCUA allowed federal credit unions to provide emergency services, including check cashing and ATM access.

The National Weather Service issues regular updates on Tropical Storm Isaac, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready.gov website provide helpful information about how to prepare and stay safe, including steps to protect finances.