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How to prepare for Hurricane Season
Precautionary measures can temper the ravages of these destructive storms
If you wait until a hurricane watch or warning is issued, it may already be too late to take certain precautions. You can mitigate property damage and get through any hurricane emergency with less stress by taking precautions before the season begins. Here’s what you need to know.
Six simple steps to prepare for hurricane season
1. Plan your evacuation route well ahead of timeIf you live on the coast or in a mobile home, you may have to evacuate in the event of a major storm forecast for your area. While you will undoubtedly get instructions from the local government, it's wise to create your evacuation plan well before a disaster strikes. This way, you can know ahead of time how to reach the nearest shelters quickly, take your pets into account in your plan, secure important papers, and make a trial run.
2. Keep a stash of emergency supplies on hand.When a hurricane warning is issued, there’s a mad rush to local grocery and home improvement stores. Get ahead of the crowd by storing the following in a convenient place before the start of the hurricane season.
-Have extra batteries -A Portable Charger - Power Bank for your mobile phone -Candles or lamps with fuel-Matches (keep these dry)-Materials and tools for emergency home repairs (plastic sheeting, plywood, hammer etc. etc.)-Prescription drugs-A 14-day supply of drinking water (1 gallon per person/per day)-Non-perishable food that you don’t have to refrigerate or cook-First-aid supplies-COVID supplies, including face coverings, hand sanitizer, and rapid tests.-Portable National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio-Flashlight-Plan to bring these supplies if you need to evacuate your location.
3. Take an inventory of your personal property.Creating a home inventory will help ensure that you have purchased enough property insurance to replace your possessions. It can also speed the claims process, substantiate losses for income tax purposes, and is helpful should you need to apply for federal or state disaster aid. Take pictures or video when possible. If you need to evacuate, be sure to include your home inventory among the important documents you take with you or store it in the cloud.
4. Review your insurance policies.This hurricane season insurance checklist can help you understand your coverage and whether it’s adequate to repair or rebuild your home, if necessary, and replace your belongings.
Keep in mind that your homeowners insurance covers the cost of temporary repairs for hurricane damage and reasonable additional living expenses (ALE) over and above your normal living expenses if you have to relocate. These extra expenses can, for example, include the cost of getting to work or school if your temporary home is in a different community.
However, a typical homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover flood damage, so consider looking into flood insurance. If you live by the coast, you may also need a separate policy for protection against wind and wind-blown water damage. Contact your insurance professional if you have questions about what your current policy will cover or need to expand your current coverage.
5. Take steps to protect your homeHurricane-force winds can turn landscaping materials into missiles that can break windows and doors. Also, much of the property damage associated with hurricanes occurs after the windstorm when rain enters structures through broken windows, doors, and openings in the roof.
-Replace gravel or rock landscaping materials with shredded bark-Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house and keep shrubbery trimmed.-Fit plywood panels to your windows, which can be nailed to window frames when a storm approaches.-Ensure exterior doors have at least three hinges and a deadbolt lock that is at least one inch long.-Sliding glass doors should be covered with shutters or plywood. -These doors are more vulnerable to wind damage than most other doors.-Seal outside wall openings such as vents, electrical outlets, hose bibs, etc -Use a high-quality urethane-based caulk to seal ouside openings to prevent water penetration. -If you live in a mobile home, make sure you know how to secure it against high winds.-If you have a boat on a trailer, know how to anchor the trailer to the ground or house. 6. Take steps to protect your businessHurricanes take a toll on businesses, too, so be prepared.
-Create an emergency business response and continuity plan. -This precaution will help your business quickly recover after a hurricane.-Keep contact information up-to-date for employees, suppliers, and vendors, so you can check on their wellbeing and communicate the next steps for resuming normal business operations.-Review your business insurance policies to understand what's covered, and work with your insurance professional to make any necessary adjustments.
2. Keep a stash of emergency supplies on hand.When a hurricane warning is issued, there’s a mad rush to local grocery and home improvement stores. Get ahead of the crowd by storing the following in a convenient place before the start of the hurricane season.
-Have extra batteries -A Portable Charger - Power Bank for your mobile phone -Candles or lamps with fuel-Matches (keep these dry)-Materials and tools for emergency home repairs (plastic sheeting, plywood, hammer etc. etc.)-Prescription drugs-A 14-day supply of drinking water (1 gallon per person/per day)-Non-perishable food that you don’t have to refrigerate or cook-First-aid supplies-COVID supplies, including face coverings, hand sanitizer, and rapid tests.-Portable National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio-Flashlight-Plan to bring these supplies if you need to evacuate your location.
3. Take an inventory of your personal property.Creating a home inventory will help ensure that you have purchased enough property insurance to replace your possessions. It can also speed the claims process, substantiate losses for income tax purposes, and is helpful should you need to apply for federal or state disaster aid. Take pictures or video when possible. If you need to evacuate, be sure to include your home inventory among the important documents you take with you or store it in the cloud.
4. Review your insurance policies.This hurricane season insurance checklist can help you understand your coverage and whether it’s adequate to repair or rebuild your home, if necessary, and replace your belongings.
Keep in mind that your homeowners insurance covers the cost of temporary repairs for hurricane damage and reasonable additional living expenses (ALE) over and above your normal living expenses if you have to relocate. These extra expenses can, for example, include the cost of getting to work or school if your temporary home is in a different community.
However, a typical homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover flood damage, so consider looking into flood insurance. If you live by the coast, you may also need a separate policy for protection against wind and wind-blown water damage. Contact your insurance professional if you have questions about what your current policy will cover or need to expand your current coverage.
5. Take steps to protect your homeHurricane-force winds can turn landscaping materials into missiles that can break windows and doors. Also, much of the property damage associated with hurricanes occurs after the windstorm when rain enters structures through broken windows, doors, and openings in the roof.
-Replace gravel or rock landscaping materials with shredded bark-Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house and keep shrubbery trimmed.-Fit plywood panels to your windows, which can be nailed to window frames when a storm approaches.-Ensure exterior doors have at least three hinges and a deadbolt lock that is at least one inch long.-Sliding glass doors should be covered with shutters or plywood. -These doors are more vulnerable to wind damage than most other doors.-Seal outside wall openings such as vents, electrical outlets, hose bibs, etc -Use a high-quality urethane-based caulk to seal ouside openings to prevent water penetration. -If you live in a mobile home, make sure you know how to secure it against high winds.-If you have a boat on a trailer, know how to anchor the trailer to the ground or house. 6. Take steps to protect your businessHurricanes take a toll on businesses, too, so be prepared.
-Create an emergency business response and continuity plan. -This precaution will help your business quickly recover after a hurricane.-Keep contact information up-to-date for employees, suppliers, and vendors, so you can check on their wellbeing and communicate the next steps for resuming normal business operations.-Review your business insurance policies to understand what's covered, and work with your insurance professional to make any necessary adjustments.