Preparing Yourself for Hurricane Season
Hurricane season has begun (June 1 – November 30) and can mean potentially devastating or even deadly conditions for many homeowners. During a hurricane, your home may be damaged or destroyed by many different hazards, including: debris that can break windows and doors; fallen trees and power lines from large storms; destroyed windows, doors and roofing material; basement flooding and even extensive wind damage that can reach hundreds of miles from the storm center. The costs of repair and the inconvenience of property damage can be significant following a hurricane. Please consider these recommendations to prepare adequately for a hurricane and to relieve the hassle of repair and rebuild, in the unfortunate event that you suffer from storm damage.
How to Prepare for a Hurricane
A Hurricane Watch is issued 48 hours prior to the anticipated onset of the tropical storm conditions. A hurricane is defined as sustained winds of 74 mph or higher and occurs within a specified area associated with a tropical, subtropical or post-tropical cyclone. It is important that you begin to prepare your home and review your plan for evacuation once a warning goes into effect. The National Weather Service (NWS) continuously broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts and non-weather related hazards on NOAA Weather Radio All Hazard (NWR).
Family Emergency Plan
It is important to prepare yourself and your loved ones for the unexpected. Prior to developing a plan, be sure you understand the hazards. Find out from your local National Weather Service office exactly what type of emergencies could occur and how you should respond to them. Assess your home and identify how you can make your dwelling safer. Choose two places for your family to meet in case of an emergency: one outside your home and another away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Choose an out-of-state family member or friend as a point of contact, in case everyone becomes separated in an emergency.
As part of your plan, post emergency numbers by the phone. Be sure your home is equipped with safety features, such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. Look for objects in your home that can fall, break or catch fire and move or rearrange them. It might be a good idea for your family members to learn CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and, how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity in your home. Assemble an emergency supplies kit and store it in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container and keep important documents in a waterproof container.
Before a Hurricane Hits…
Fill your car’s gas tank, once a hurricane watch is issued. Shutter or board up the windows in your house. Secure loose items in your yard, such as lawn furniture. Fill the bathtub with water to use for washing and cleaning. Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the lowest setting.
If you must evacuate…
If you are forced to evacuate, before returning to your home, assess the damage by checking for loose power lines, gas leaks and any structural damage. DO NOT ENTER if you smell gas, there is floodwater around the building or your home was damaged by fire and has not yet been declared safe. If it’s safe to go inside your home, enter carefully and check for damage. Be careful of loose boards or slippery floors. If you smell gas, open a window and leave your home. Turn off the main gas valve from outside, if possible. Turn off the electricity if appliances inside your home are wet or you notice any frayed or broken wires. If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Be careful when opening cabinets for objects that may have shifted and can fall. Be sure to TAKE PICTURES of any damage to show your insurance agent and keep records of repair and cleaning costs.
How can I receive compensation in the event that my home is damaged?
Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not include coverage for flood damage. Most standard flood policy limits are $250,000 for dwelling and $100,000 for personal property. Give us a call today to discuss which flood policy would be a good fit for you.
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