Hurricanes are massive storms that form over warm sea waters and move toward land. Potential dangers from hurricanes include powerful winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and landslides. The Atlantic hurricane season starts from June 1 to November 30. The Pacific hurricane season begins on May 15 and lasts till November 30.
Hurricanes:
- Can happen along any U.S. coast or in any territory in the Atlantic or Pacific seas.
- Can impact areas more than 100 miles inland.
- Are most active in September.
Prepare NOW
- Know your territory’s risk of hurricanes.
- Agree to accept your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also give emergency alerts.
- If you are in danger of flash flooding, look out for warning signs, for example, heavy rainfall.
- Work on going to a safe shelter for high winds, for example, a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter. The next best protection is a little, interior, austere room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that isn’t liable to flooding.
- Depending upon your area and community plans, make your very own arrangements for evacuation or sheltering.
- Become acquainted with your evacuation zone, the evacuation route, and safe house locations.
- Collect required supplies for at least three days. Remember every individual’s particular needs, including medication. Remember the requirements of pets as well.
- Maintain a hurricane preparedness inventory of all documents and valuables. You can do this with the help of iINVENTORYpro.com, which is cloud-based inventory software. This will help you quickly and easily complete your inventory, and then it will be readily available for any insurance claim you may have after the hurricane to substantiate your possessions. Be aware that the insurance companies often deny or reduce major claims.If you have to go to court to fight for your insurance claim in a court of law, the one with the most documentation wins. Take care of this vitally important inventory task so you have the necessary documentation before any hurricane strikes. It will definitely provide you peace of mind, and as well, many dividends if you have an insurance-related loss.
- Secure your property. Clean up gutters and drains. Introduce check valves in pipes to counteract backups. Consider hurricane shutters.
When a hurricane is 36 hours from arriving
- Turn on your TV or radio so as to get the most recent climate updates and crisis instructions.
- Update your hurricane preparedness inventory and restock the hurricane kit. Include food and water that should suffice for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
- Plan how to communicate with relatives in the event that you lose power. For instance, you can call, text, email, or use social media. Keep in mind that during catastrophes, sending instant messages is typically reliable and quicker than making telephone calls since telephone lines are frequently overloaded.
- Review your evacuation zone, route and safe house locations. Plan with your family. You may need to leave quickly, so be prepared. Ensure you have pet shot records in the event you evacuate to a public evacuation shelter, since some require these for pet admittance.
- Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full. Stock your vehicle with emergency supplies, including food, water and a change of clothes.
- If you have NFIP flood protection, your policy may cover upto $1000 in loss avoidance measures, like sandbags and water pumps, to secure your insured property. Again, maintain a hurricane preparedness inventory with all bills and receipts. These will have to be submitted to your insurance adjuster when you file a claim to seek reimbursement. Visit www.fema.gov/media-library/resources/reports/137860 for detailed information.
Final Thoughts
All in all, apart from your evacuation kit and shelters, it is very important to keep all yourdocuments and home inventory information safely stored on cloud-based inventory software to access them whenever required for filing an insurance claim or for Estate Planning purposes. iINVENTORYpro.com is the most capable and comprehensive personal property inventory software for disaster management. It has the best capabilities and highest ratings, is user-friendly and customizable with templates available for each room of the house. Check it out today!
