In the midst of hurricane season, homeowners in Florida and throughout the Sunshine State must make ample preparations for potentially disastrous storms. As a hurricane approaches, you may have limited time to prepare your family and property for the chaos to come, meaning that having a plan ahead of time can be critical. Consider making a checklist to help you verify that you’ve taken appropriate steps with a hurricane on the horizon.
Key Steps When Preparing for a Hurricane
Hurricanes can bring powerful winds, torrential rainfall, lightning and other severe weather conditions that might endanger your family and inflict extensive damage to your home. Be as ready as possible by taking the following steps:
- Pack an emergency kit. Keep emergency supplies prepared for hurricanes in case you’re forced to evacuate or need to hunker down in your home. Make sure this kit includes nonperishable food, drinking water, flashlights, radios, extra batteries, toiletries, essential medical supplies and hard copies of important documents and contact information.
- Plan your evacuation. If you need to vacate your home due to an incoming storm, you should have a plan in advance. Identify nearby shelters and plan multiple routes to reach them, as hurricane conditions could block roads. Go over rendezvous points with your family in case you get separated.
- Fortify your property. Even if you’re forced to leave your home, you can at least take steps to potentially limit damage. Install storm shutters or affix plywood over your windows and doors, trim tree limbs near your home and bring in any outdoor items that could be strewn about by winds, such as patio furniture and grills.
- Address insurance needs. Hurricanes often cause significant flooding, which is typically excluded as a covered peril from standard home insurance policies. Purchasing additional flood insurance is highly recommended. These policies may have waiting periods, so don’t wait until a storm is already on its way to start shopping for coverage.
We’re Here to Help
At Gene Smith Insurance, we can help you address your coverage needs and be prepared for hurricanes. Contact us today to get started.
This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.