Leaves are beginning to transform from verdant green to blazing crimson. Sweaters are being pulled out of hibernation. Summer's officially over, but one part of it lingers: Hurricane season doesn't end until Nov. 30.
Devastating wind, rain and floods can extend far beyond where a hurricane makes landfall. Don’t wait until a storm is at your doorstep: Begin preparing now to protect yourself, your loved ones and your assets from Mother Nature’s wrath.
Take heed from Hurricane Matthew
Statistically, tropical activity dwindles as temperatures cool. But Hurricane Matthew came charging in from the Caribbean early this month, shattering records and serving as a reminder to stay on guard until the first of December.
Intensifying from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane over a span of 24 hours, Matthew surprised many residents in its path. The tropical cyclone – deemed the strongest in decades – pummeled Haiti with strong winds and rain before striking the eastern seaboard of Florida and making its way up the coast, hitting Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
Hurricane Matthew left unthinkable destruction in its wake. More than 20 lives were lost in the United States, and flooding in North Carolina caused roughly 1,500 people to remain stranded in the days following the storm. And devastatingly, the death toll in Haiti exceeded 1,000 after the hurricane hit the island last week.
Make a move before the storm makes waves
If a tropical storm or hurricane is predicted to head your way, don’t turn a blind eye – or ear – to weather reports. Since a storm’s intensity and path can change at a moment’s notice, stay updated on its status. In addition to your local news channel, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center is a great resource for keeping tabs on imminent weather hazards.
Before a hurricane watch turns into a warning, create an evacuation plan. Since fuel could be in short supply, fill your gas tank well in advance. Have several evacuation options in place – for staying in your city and heading to areas that won’t be affected – and let friends and family know where you’ll be. Because there isn’t a clear way to know how long the storm could keep you away, pack a bag with enough clothing and daily essentials to last a week or two.
If your local government orders evacuation, don’t ignore the warnings or wait until the 11th hour to comply. Remember that many others in your area will be following suit, and gridlocked traffic could cause getting out of dodge to take longer than anticipated.
Finally, before you head out of town, unplug all electrical equipment and appliances, minus refrigerators and freezers. Lock all windows and doors to keep looters at bay, and if your house is equipped with storm shutters, secure those as well.
Brace yourself to hunker down
If you and your family plan to ride out the hurricane at home, take all necessary precautions to stay safe as you weather the storm, including:
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Prepare for a power outage. Even if the hurricane isn’t severe enough to require evacuation, wind, rain and falling tree branches could knock down power lines, leaving you without electricity for hours or days. If you aren’t able to purchase a generator to use as a back-up power source, make sure you have a battery-operated flashlight, phone charger and plenty of extra batteries.
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Fill your pantry with food and water. Stock your pantry with plenty of canned goods – don’t forget a manual can opener – and nonperishable foods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends having a three-day supply of food at minimum, plus at least one gallon of bottled drinking water per household member, per day.
Protect your property from perils
Because you can’t determine how much damage a hurricane will cause, be proactive in making sure your home, belongings and car will be protected.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, you’ll need enough structural coverage to completely rebuild your house from the ground up if it is destroyed by a covered peril. Make sure your home’s contents coverage – which can help repair or replace damaged or stolen belongings – is set at 50 to 70 percent of the amount of your home’s structural coverage.
Since homeowners insurance doesn’t typically cover damage from flooding, you may want to consider purchasing a separate flood insurance policy, especially if you live near the coast where storm surge is a severe threat. It takes 30 days for this policy to activate, so plan ahead.
Your car will need protection during the storm, too. Hurricane-related damage generally falls under the comprehensive coverage portion of an auto insurance policy.
Not sure if your coverage is up to par? Contact your insurance provider and stay on guard during the remaining weeks of hurricane season.
Shelly White writes for NationwideInsurance.com and HomeownersInsurance.com, an online resource for homeowners and drivers across the country. Offering automobile and homeowners insurance quotes, consumers rely on HomeownersInsurance.com for competitive rates from top-rated insurance carriers. The HomeownersInsurance.com blog provides fresh tips and advice on a range of financial topics to help homeowners and homebuyers make educated decisions about their insurance purchases.
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