The last days of summer have come and gone sadly, landing us in hurricane season. So as you put away your swim trunks and flip flops, make sure you have the right home and flood insurance this upcoming season.
Hurricane Season
That's right, we are in the midst of hurricane season. The Atlantic Basin, which includes the eastern coast of the United States, experiences hurricane season June through November, the peak being mid-August to the beginning of November. The NOAA warned that it will be a "near- or above-normal" hurricane season meaning everyone should start properly preparing.
The east coast is currently seeing this with the rapidly approaching Hurricane Florence, a category 4 hurricane causing panic and evacuations in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Expected to be one of the strongest hurricanes in decades, the damage from the winds, flooding and heavy rainfall will be tremendous. So, how do you prepare for such a disaster?
How to protect your assets
While we can only predict the outcome of such natural disasters, you can take the steps now to protect your family and home.
Insure your home and assets. Talk with an agent today about home and flood insurance.
Stock your home and car with supplies. Prepare a water, food and medicine supply for each family member, including pets, for at least 3-5 days. Create a safety kit with a first-aid kit, extinguisher, battery powered radio, batteries, flashlights and blankets. Gather personal items like hand sanitizer, soap, toothpaste, diapers, and glasses as well.
Create a plan now. Write down all emergency numbers and program them into your phone. Locate your nearest shelters and multiple routes to get there. Prepare your kids and elderly family members with the plan and make sure they recognize the sound of warning sirens.
Prepare to evacuate. Tune into your local news stations for updates, check their social media, website, radio and television stations. If you are advised to evacuate, never ignore an evacuation order and leave in a timely manner since roads will be crowded.
Post-hurricane preparation. After a hurricane, there might be flooding, home and car damage, power outages, mold and more risks to you and your family's healthy and safety. Never use wet electrical devices and use flashlights instead of candles if the power is out. Stay away from flood water, damaged buildings, power lines and other dangerous materials. Assess the damage of your home, if it is safe to enter, taking into account the structure and any signs of mold. Get a professional to inspect, and if necessary, repair and restore your home.
Why insure your home?
As we saw with Hurricane Harvey, many were affected and without much warning. One of the worst natural disasters in US history, Hurricane Harvey dumped over 27 trillion gallons of water over Texas and Louisiana. Thirteen million people were affected, tens of thousands were displaced, 135,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and thousands injured. The cost of relief funds, surpassing Hurricane Katrina by $30 billion, topped off at about $190 billion. Many of those affected needing coverage, did not have it. To prevent this from happening to you, take the time now to protect not only your possessions, but the future of your family.
With home and flood insurance, you are ensuring your family's well-being if disaster does strike. Depending on your coverage plan, flood insurance can cover your home's structure as well as it's contents and living expenses like the cost of temporary housing if you are displaced. Even if you are not in a high risk area, where it rains, it can flood. So take the time today to call one of our agents to discuss home and flood insurance, and ensure the safety of you, your family and your most valuable assets.