Hilton Head Island 2015 Hurricane Update Series #2 PREPARE
Now that you have already reviewed #1 in the Series about INSURANCE, it's time for #2: How to Prepare. The presentation by Mr. Raymond Farmer, Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance also included some terrific information from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes. At the presentation hey put provided some very simple, clear, FLASH CARDS courtesy of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes to start you on the way.
FLASH CARD - How to prepare for SEVERE WINDS
We all hear about the water, but part of the damage from storms comes from the winds and potential tornadoes that are spawned from the hurricane vortex. Damage from wind can also be caused from debris. We LOVE our trees here, but prior to the season or a storm, take the time to prune your trees so that the wind can pass through. This means the dead limbs that may have been there for years, any dead trees that have been the home to squirrels or woodpeckers' meals, the top of a tree that has died. All of these things can become projectiles and come through roofs or windows.
The term 'severe' is misleading; we think that it needs to be hurricane or even tornado force but winds of 35 mph can easily cause added stress on limbs and they can break. Pine trees are particularly vulnerable and their limbs are VERY heavy and saturated with sap and water.
SHOULD YOU BOARD UP?
This is a hard one. When I lived in Florida and Andrew came through (thankfully missing us in Palm Beach County), I heard from one insurance agent that I should just 'lock the door and leave' since that's what I paid insurance premiums for. From another agent, that I should run to get plywood and pound it over all windows, and yet another to put duct or packing tape across all windows so that when they cracked they would stay in place.
Basically, in our area, homes must be built to the Miami-Dade standards relative to tie-downs structurally and if windows cannot withstand the test of 150mph winds the builder must provide plywood coverings with identification as to which window they go on. There are plenty of vendors in our area that will outfit your windows and doors with more permanent coverings. You can decide by using the Flash Card for EMERGENCY BOARD-UP.
WHAT ABOUT FLOODING?
The short answer is that you need to review your insurance coverage relative to floods and understand that most policies do NOT cover flood damage. If you are concerned about valuables getting damaged from rising waters, be prepared by placing them well above the floor in water resistant boxes - or better yet, take important keepsakes, photos, with you when you evacuate. Take a photographic inventory of all items, including model numbers, serial numbers, descriptions, with you or place the information in an area that is not flood prone.
If you have a pool, drop the water level before you leave, turn off the pump, secure any equipment, hoses, etc. so that it doesn't blow around and cause damage. There are different levels of thought as to whether it makes sense to throw pool furniture into the pool so it doesn't blow around. The jury is generally out on that so experience is the best guide.
Stay tuned for your next tip: Hilton Head Island 2015 Hurricane Update #3 - EVACUATION
Image compliments of frankes from openclipart.com
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