Tips for Preparing for Hurricane Season

Don't leave your home and loved ones vulnerable to a hurricane.

When hurricanes hit, they leave a path of destruction that can be absolutely devastating. While it's impossible to avoid damage if you are standing in the path of a hurricane, there are steps you can take to be prepared for what a hurricane has in store for you, your home, and your loved ones. Before hurricane watch is initiated, here are some of the precautions you should take.

Create an Evacuation Plan

If you are living on the coast, you have a higher risk of evacuation if a hurricane is looming. In the event of an evacuation, the local authorities will issue you instructions about what to do. However, you and your family should also have your own evacuation plan. As you plan, be sure to mark out the nearest shelters, make arrangements for your pets, organize which valuables (such as important documents) you will quickly grab, and so on. Once you have a plan for your family, have them run through it a couple of times. This will help your loved ones get comfortable with the idea of evacuating and help them stay calm in the event of a real evacuation.

Gather Emergency Supplies

Another important way to be ready for a hurricane is by making sure you have emergency supplies for your family. Oftentimes, people rush to the store once a hurricane warning is issued, so having all your supplies beforehand will save you some time and stress. Here are some of the supplies you should collect ahead of hurricane season:

• 3-day supply of drinking water for every family member
• non-perishable foods
• first-aid supplies
• prescription drugs
• flashlights
• extra batteries
• candles or lamps and fuel
• matches
• emergency home repair tools (basic tools, heavy plastic sheeting, plywood, etc.)
• NOAA weather radio
• change of clothes

Review and Update Your Insurance

You should review your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that you have the coverage you need to get through hurricane season. For starters, make sure your policy offers enough coverage to rebuild your home if it is completely destroyed by a hurricane. You should also bulk up your personal property coverage to help you replace items if they are damaged or lost during the storm. Finally, make sure you have flood insurance for your home. While your homeowners insurance policy will offer you coverage for hurricane damage, any issues caused by flooding will only be covered by a specialty flood policy.

These are some of the steps that you should take to prepare for hurricane season. Looking for assistance with or advice on your homeowners insurance this fall? If so, contact the experts at Scavone Insurance in White Plains, New York. Don't worry; we've got you covered.