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A Security First Insurance Blog: Florida Is My Home

Are You Ready for Hurricane Season?

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Related Tags: Homeowners Insurance Florida, Home Improvement

May 29, 2015

 
hurricane flooding roadway and truck
 


Florida has come through the last 10 hurricane seasons virtually unscathed, other than limited damage from a storm or two that skirted a bit too close to our coastline. Our state’s good luck comes at a price – apathy. Storm-free years often result in residents who engage in “hurricane roulette,” – folks who count on the luck of the draw instead of taking steps to prepare in case Mother Nature chooses not to spare us again this year.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” is a great hurricane season motto. Despite major technological advancements, it’s impossible to accurately predict when and where a hurricane will strike. Now is the time to prepare, instead of waiting until the storm is looming in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.

Steps You Can Take Right Now

The best time to prepare for a hurricane is well in advance, before we hear warnings about the hurricane in the news. It’s also smart to know important information before hurricane season starts, below you will find a list of information that can help when a hurricane hits.

  • Find out if you’re in a flood zone and if you’re covered by flood insurance. A standard home insurance policy does not include flood insurance.
  • Add 2-1-1, a toll-free emergency information and disaster relief resource, to your list of contacts.
  • Become familiar with the closest evacuation routes to your home.
  • Make a disaster plan for your pets.
  • Learn the most commonly used hurricane terminology to help you better understand storm forecasts.
  • Check your homeowners insurance policy's hurricane deductible and make sure it's affordable for you in an emergency situation.

Related Post: Are you relying on luck this hurricane season?

Create a Hurricane Plan

Your family may have to evacuate (if you’re aware that the storm is headed your way) or hunker down (if the hurricane spawns a tornado in your area). Meet with your family in advance to figure out the “safe room” where you’ll take shelter if the storm heads your way. It should be a small interior room (closet or hallway) that has no windows and is not located near an exterior door (Tweet This). Talk about where your family would go if you have to evacuate. Maybe there’s a relative or friend that you can stay with during the storm or can serve as your family’s point of contact in case you get separated at some point; make sure that your contact is aware of your plans to avoid last minute surprises.

Preparing Your Home for the Storm

Consider these home improvements that can help reduce storm damage:

  • Add braces to your garage door to help stabilize it.
  • Add clips to secure your roof and prevent it from being blown away.
  • Trim or remove any trees that seem to be weak or unhealthy.
  • Alert your local electric company about any tree limbs or branches that are touching or dangerously close to electric wires.

Also: Get an instant quote to make sure you have the Florida home insurance you need to protect your property.

Create a Hurricane Kit

Make sure you have the essentials in case you need to ride out the storm or its aftermath, and buy them before they’re in popular (scarce) demand. Below is a list of supplies you may need (Tweet This):

  • Water (one gallon per person, per day for at least three days)
  • Non-perishable food items
  • One flashlight per person
  • Radio (battery-powered or hand-crank)
  • Extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Your medications
  • Sanitary items
  • Extra cash
  • Cell phone chargers (car chargers)
  • Important documents in a waterproof container

Get more tips for hurricane preparedness or view this downloadable hurricane preparedness checklist to help you plan for hurricanes and tropical storms. 

 
 
 
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