Hurricanes pose a major threat to millions of Americans and incur billions of dollars in property damage each year. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and forecasters predict another above-average season. If you live in a hurricane-prone region, don’t wait until a hurricane warning is issued to take action – plan ahead.
Prepare Your Home
Hurricanes are known for producing high winds, but they can also create very heavy rainfall. There are several ways to prepare your home to help mitigate wind and water damage:
• Clear out your yard and anchor large structures. Bring portable outdoor items inside, including patio furniture, small potted plants, grills, dog houses and toys. Secure large items like trampolines or storage sheds to the ground with hurricane tie straps. Mobile homes and manufactured homes should also be anchored, if possible.
• Secure your windows and doors. Protect your windows by installing plywood over exterior window frames. Measure your windows first to determine the size of plywood needed, which can be secured with damage-resistant hurricane clips. For long-term benefits that provide increased protection, consider investing in storm shutters or impact-resistant hurricane windows and doors.
• Examine trees and shrubs. Pay close attention to trees and branches, near rooflines and other structures. Remove any rotted or weak limbs prior to a hurricane to prevent them from breaking, falling or becoming projectiles due to strong winds. It’s also a good idea to remove large, heavy branches that extend over your roofline.
• Inspect your roof, gutters and downspouts. Perform a visual inspection of your roof to ensure there are no missing or broken shingles. Also, make sure your gutters and downspouts are free of clutter. Doing so will help to avoid roof leaks that could result in severe water damage to your home.
• Reinforce your garage door. Strengthen your garage door by installing storm door braces to the interior or installing hurricane panels to the exterior. If the garage is not properly secured, pressure from extreme winds can cause it to buckle, detach from the tracks or even collapse.
• Electrical safety. Understanding how to properly handle electrical equipment is necessary to ensure safety during a hurricane. Be sure to charge all cell phones and portable power banks before unplugging all electronics. Move computers, electrical devices and other valuable items off floors to tables in the center of the home to avoid water damage.
• Generator safety. Standby generators are often used as a secondary source of power in the event of an electrical failure. If you intend to use a portable generator, make sure it is in proper working order and you understand how to operate it correctly to avoid hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning, fire and electrocution. Be sure to turn off the home’s main gas valve as a precaution against leaks.
Insurance Coverage*
It’s important to review your homeowner’s insurance policy prior to hurricane season or check in with your insurance agent to make sure you have adequate coverage. If your home is damaged by high winds, a standard homeowner’s insurance policy generally provides some coverage for repairs. However, water damage caused by flooding or storm surge is not typically covered.
Property owners in hurricane-prone or flood-prone areas may be required to carry a separate flood insurance policy at least a month before coverage kicks in. Most are also required to pay a deductible before the insurance company will pay a claim. Check to see if your policy requires a deductible and whether it’s for a lump sum, or a percentage of the property. You’ll also want to know the out-of-pocket amount you’ll be required to pay if you need to file a claim. Creating and maintaining a home inventory list with descriptions, serial numbers and pictures of your insurable assets can help expedite the claim process.
Evacuation or Stay-at-Home Plan
Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, one of the most important ways to prepare for a hurricane is to have an evacuation plan for all the occupants of your home, including your pets.
If you live in an evacuation zone, you will more than likely be ordered to evacuate. It’s imperative to know where you will go and the safest routes to travel. Your destination could be the home of a relative or friend, a hotel or an emergency shelter in your area. It’s best to have multiple options, fill up your vehicle’s gas tank early and have a bag packed and ready to go if you need to leave on short notice and are not able to return to your home for several days. Learn more here.
If you stay in your home during a hurricane, stick to rooms that are considered safe zones. The safest rooms are generally interior rooms with no exterior walls or windows. Bathrooms, closets and underneath the stairwell can be good options. Some people opt for building a safe room in their home with reinforced walls designed to withstand strong winds.
Post-Hurricane Safety
After a hurricane, there may be debris, flooding, downed electrical wires and power outages, all of which can be hazardous to the health and safety of your family and your home. Make sure you take all safety precautions. If you evacuated, do not return home until you have been given orders it is safe to do so. Tread cautiously as you walk the interior and exterior of your home to survey the damage. Keep in mind the following:
• Avoid floodwater. Do not walk or drive through standing water. You never know what lurks under the water, from bacteria and pests to electrical powerlines and sink holes.
• Check for carbon monoxide and gas poisoning. Carbon monoxide poising is one of the leading causes of death after a hurricane. Most deaths are connected to portable generators used inside the home, so be sure to only use one outside of the home. Also, if you smell gas, call your local gas company. If the odor is strong, leave your home immediately.
• Do not use tap water. It is generally not safe to drink, clean or cook with faucet water immediately after a hurricane. It could be contaminated from floodwaters, damage to water treatment facilities or water lines. Check and follow instructions from local authorities for boiling or treating water prior to consumption.
Additional Resources
One of the best ways to combat the stress of a hurricane is to prepare as much as you can before hurricane season begins each year. Take the time to assess and prepare your home, revisit your evacuation plan and restock your emergency kit. Check out our Hurricane Preparedness checklist to get started.
*Both homeowner’s insurance and title insurance play an important role in keeping your investment protected. Old Republic Title does not sell homeowner’s insurance. However, if you would like to purchase title insurance when you buy or refinance your home, or you want to learn more about title insurance, contact your local Old Republic Title representative today.