Hurricane Preparedness

by   

​As we all prepare for the upcoming atmospheric event, we strongly encourage you to please prepare your home and your family. Being prepared is crucial to keeping our families safe. Below you will find a quick guide on how to prepare yourself for an upcoming storm or hurricane.  

Picture: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

At Deer Insurance Agency, we strongly encourage all our clients to please take pictures and videos of their home inside and outside. After you take those pictures, we recommend you email them to yourself and any other trusted person. This way, in the worst case scenario that you lose your cell phone, you still have an inventory of your home in your email. When you send the pictures and videos to your email, you can even be specific about the items in the picture or just keep it generic. This is one of our biggest recommedations everytime a storm or hurricane approaches our beautiful Sunshine State.

Preparing for a hurricane involves several steps to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and your property. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare:

1. Stay Informed:

  • Monitor local news, weather forecasts, and official updates from meteorological agencies.
  • Sign up for emergency alerts and notifications through text messages or apps.

2. Create an Emergency Plan:

  • Develop a family emergency plan detailing where to go, how to communicate, and what to do in different scenarios.
  • Identify evacuation routes and shelters in your area.

3. Assemble an Emergency Kit:

  • Non-perishable food (enough for at least three days)
  • Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days)
  • Medications and a first aid kit
  • Flashlights, batteries, and a battery-operated weather radio
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Important documents (ID, insurance papers, medical records) in waterproof containers
  • Cash
  • Blankets and clothing
  • Cell phone charger and portable power bank

4. Secure Your Home:

  • Trim trees and shrubs to minimize potential debris during the storm.
  • Reinforce windows and doors, or install storm shutters.
  • Secure or store outdoor furniture, equipment, and loose items.
  • Clear gutters and drains to prevent flooding.

5. Prepare Your Car:

  • Fill your car’s gas tank.
  • Check tires, brakes, and fluid levels.
  • Keep an emergency kit in your car, including water, non-perishable snacks, a flashlight, and basic tools.

6. Protect Important Documents:

  • Make digital copies of important documents and store them securely in the cloud or on an external drive.
  • Place physical copies in a waterproof container within your emergency kit.

7. Evacuation Planning:

  • Follow local authorities’ guidance regarding evacuation orders.
  • Pack your emergency kit and essential items if you need to evacuate.
  • Inform someone outside the affected area about your evacuation plans.

8. Communication:

  • Keep a charged cell phone and a backup charger.
  • Agree on a communication plan with family and friends to check in and share updates.

9. Pet and Livestock Preparedness:

  • If you have pets, prepare a kit for them with food, water, medication, and documents.
  • Identify pet-friendly shelters or accommodations in case of evacuation.

10. Stay Informed During the Storm:

  • Listen to weather updates and follow instructions from local authorities.
  • Stay indoors away from windows and doors.
  • If flooding is a concern, move to higher ground.

11. After the Hurricane:

  • Wait for official clearance before returning home.
  • Be cautious of hazards such as downed power lines and flooding.
  • Assess and document any damage for insurance purposes.
  • Contact family and friends to let them know you’re safe.

Please remember that preparation is key to staying safe during a hurricane. Start planning well in advance and stay informed throughout the event. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with your community’s emergency procedures and resources.

If you need to file a claim on your homeowners insurance or rental property insurance, it is important that you contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Most carriers will have their claims contact numbers and procedures online so make sure you reach out them as soon as you can.

It is important to stay safe and be responsible. And remember, at Deer Insurance Agency, you are DEER to our HEART!

Previous Post: