On the West Coast, hurricane season begins May 15th and ends November 30th. On the east coast, the season starts on June 1st and also ends November 30th. Don't live on the coast? Don't assume you're safe. Major hurricanes can affect residents who live hundreds of miles inland with heavy wind and rains. In fact, between 1970 and 1999, freshwater inland flooding was the leading cause of death among all weather hazards related to tropical cyclones.
Hurricanes can be among the most frightening and destructive of all natural occurrences, as they involve so many different elements, including high winds that move as many as 155 miles per hour, heavy rain, tornadoes, flooding, mud slides, and landslides, not to mention flying debris. In a short span of time, hurricanes can wreak enormous amounts of damage to property, also causing physical injuries and death.
Use the following guidelines to ensure that you, your family, and your property will be protected in the event of a hurricane.
- Insure your home against hurricane damage. If you haven't already talked to Robins Insurance about hurricane insurance, do so.
- Create an emergency kit full of supplies to keep you and your loved ones safe in the event of a hurricane. Your kit may include first aid supplies, back-up prescription medications, food, water, and more. To learn more about making an emergency kit, check out http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.
- Establish a family communication plan in which you determine where your family will meet if a hurricane is imminent. Who will call whom? Where will you gather? If you aren't able to be together (perhaps one of you works far from home), where will certain family members go? Visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan to learn more about making a family communication plan.
- Learn about your property and surroundings by finding out the elevation and determining whether there is a risk of flooding, identifying the dams and levees in your region, and educating yourself and your family about established community evacuation routes.
- Tend to your home's exterior by trimming the trees and shrubs to make them more resistant to wind, clearing clogged rain gutters and downspouts, covering your home's windows with permanent storm shutters or 5/8" marine plywood, reinforcing garage doors to prevent strong winds from entering, and moving all outdoor furniture, decor, and trash cans inside.
- Consider taking extra steps to ensure your safety, such as installing a generator to be used in emergencies, or building a safe room that will provide you and your family strong shelter against a hurricane.
Call or contact Robins Insurance today to make sure your home is adequately covered in the event of a hurricane.