Handling Hurricanes

Imagine news outlets have issued a hurricane warning. They say a destructive storm is fewer than 48 hours away — even though the skies are blue. Your mind races to calculate what a bad storm could mean to you and your loved ones. Will a hurricane really materialize? Are you ready? Read on to learn what actions you can take before, during, and after a hurricane.

When a Hurricane Is On the Way

• Protect your property by placing hurricane shutters over your windows; stowing patio furniture and other outdoor belongings; removing dead limbs and other wind hazards; and securing fuel tanks.
• Stock up on food and supplies. Hurricanes are slow-moving systems with an average length of 12 days.¹ Gather at least a three-day supply of water, shelf-stable food, and meds for each person. Collect flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, and a battery-powered radio. Get extra cash, pet supplies, and ways to charge your mobile devices without electricity.
• Gather and waterproof important documents. Place copies of your important records in a sealed container. These can include emergency contacts, evacuation routes, contact info for your utilities and insurance carriers, your insurance policies, and other financial, medical, and legal documents.
• Catalog your belongings. Take photos or videos of every room to jog your memory later. Collect serial numbers for big-ticket items, for use when filing a claim.
• Evacuate if you live in a low-lying area or mobile home and if it is still safe to leave. It’s best to have a “go-bag” already packed for your family and pets.

Notice that purchasing flood and wind insurance is not on this list. It’s too late by the time a hurricane arrives because carriers require a waiting period. They also won’t expand an existing policy during a severe weather event. The same goes for car insurance. If you don’t have insurance yet, act now to get a free quote and be prepared for the next natural disaster.

During a Hurricane

• Stay informed. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone to learn whether the storm is worsening and where it is heading.
• Shelter in place if authorities advise this. It can be dangerous to evacuate after a storm has begun. The safest place you can shelter is in an interior room without windows, covered by mattress. If you can, wear a helmet.
• Move to higher ground in a flood or a flood warning. Call 911 if your life is in danger.
• Avoid floodwaters. It takes just a foot of water to carry away a car, and risks are hidden by water.
• Don’t be fooled by the hurricane’s eye. If you are in the direct path, there is a 20- to 40-mile area of sunny calm² in the center of the storm that may lull you into thinking the storm is over.
• Distance is no guarantee. Locations many miles inland can be subject to winds and flooding³.

Recovering from a Hurricane

• Return to the property only if authorities say it’s safe. Enter a building only after an inspector has cleared it.
• Contact your insurance company. Document any damage, take steps to prevent further damage, and determine with your adjuster whether to make a claim. Your policy might cover your living expenses until you can move back into your home.
• Make a claim quickly as you can. Deadlines can apply to reporting damage or filing a claim.
• Avoid post-storm dangers. Be wary of shifting in buildings, the smell of gas, downed power lines, heavy debris, and floodwaters. Drink bottled water until the tap water has been cleared by authorities. Never run a generator indoors due to the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Consider your car. Hail damage might be covered by insurance, subject to your deductible.

The Next One Is Coming

• Get an insurance review. Determine whether you have adequate coverage for your home and personal property. Find out whether you have a roof schedule endorsement, which can reduce your compensation amount based on the age of your roof. Remember that regular home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding or wind damage, and you must purchase this separately. Consider extra coverage for high-value items you own.
• Make home improvements. In the days before a hurricane, plywood, steel, and aluminum panels may sell out at home improvement stores, so buy yours now. Install sewer backflow valves and reinforce your garage door, often the part of your home with the least wind resistance. If you’re a renter, approach your landlord with property protection ideas.
• Prepare your pets for shelter life. Pets can be turned away from a shelter if you don’t have proof of their shots.
• Maintain your go-bag. Invest now in assembling what your family will need and refresh it monthly.
• Make a plan. Talk with your family about where you will go or meet in an emergency. If you live in a low-lying area or mobile home, identify the nearest safe place to shelter and how you will all get there.

By thinking ahead, you can boost hurricane readiness for yourself and your household and enjoy the sunny days that follow.

¹ www.thoughtco.com
² www.nsp.gov
³ NOAA