Preparing Your Home for Hurricane Season
The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1st and lasts until November 30th. Hurricanes can pose a significant threat to life and property from strong winds, tornadoes and flooding due to heavy rainfall and storm surges. While the coastal regions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida are particularly vulnerable, inland areas are at risk as well. Even a Category 2 storm can lead to moderate damage to a home.
As hurricane season 2020 rapidly approaches, meteorologists are predicting that this season will be a particularly active one, with favorable conditions that could lead to at least six hurricanes. If you live in a hurricane-prone region, the time to prepare for the season is before a storm threatens landfall in your area. Take measures to protect you, your family and your home from the impacts of a hurricane.
Plan in Advance
Ensuring you are prepared for the upcoming hurricane season requires advanced planning. One of the first steps you can take is to determine what your risks are for particular types of hurricane damage. Understanding the dangers helps you to know how to tailor your preparations for your particular circumstances. Armed with this knowledge, you can then use the following guidelines to ready yourself for hurricane season 2020.
Before a Storm Hits Home
One of the most important things you can do to safeguard you and your family is to develop an emergency evacuation plan and make sure everyone is familiar with it. If you have pets, plan ahead for keeping them safe as well. Create an emergency supply kit that includes enough non-perishable foods and water for three days, medications, first aid supplies, flashlights, important documents and a weather radio.
Inspect your home to make sure your roof is in good condition and that you have appropriate protections for doors and windows. Before hurricane season 2020 is in full swing, make a list of any outdoor items that will need to be secured ahead of a hurricane. Be certain your homeowner’s insurance provides the coverage you need for hurricane damage. This is particularly important in the case of flooding, which is not a natural hazard covered under standard policies.
When a Hurricane Strikes
Create a list of what needs to be done when a storm threatens your home and keep it in a safe and easily accessible area during this storm season. Some items to place on that list include:
- Go over the evacuation plan with family members
- Gather insurance documents
- Shutter windows and brace doors
- Retrieve emergency supply kit
- Switch the refrigerator to its coldest setting for as long as possible ahead of the storm
- Unplug appliances in case of power failure
About Moody Insurance Worldwide
Moody Insurance Worldwide, a division of Moody & Associates that was founded in 1914, is a leading provider of risk management programs and insurance coverage to individuals and businesses across the East Coast. We write all sizes of businesses, with technical expertise in many key industry areas, and provide personal insurance programs for estates and high net worth individuals. Our licensed, experienced commercial account managers can work with you to determine the coverage that you need at a competitive rate. Contact us today at (855) 868-0170 to learn more about what we can do for you.