What to do after a storm

With hurricane season just around the corner, it is important to stay up to date and know what to do to prepare for possible storms. Being prepared can allow you to feel secure and safe, especially when severe weather comes. “we can expect an el nino year, which is different from previous years. This means that there will be fewer storms, but we are unable to determine where the storms will go," national weather service meteorologist-in-charge jason beaman said. Beaman added that you can never been certain of what each hurricane season will bring, but it is important to always be prepared.

Before a major storm develops, complete the following: know your zone: hurricane evacuation zones are no longer referenced by storm category but are now named by hurricane surge evacuation zones a/b/c/d/e. *please note that hurricane surge evacuation zones are different than flood zones. Click here to view your evacuation zone. Put together an emergency kit: check emergency equipment,  like flashlights, generators, and storm shutters. Write or review your family emergency plan: keep a copy of the plan in your emergency supply kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster. Be aware of special needs shelters: lee county offers a special needs program for those who live in an area not safe from storm surges or wind and have no other place to go.

The atlantic hurricane season is just a few short weeks away and national hurricane preparedness week seeks to get people prepared before june 1. Residents in areas prone to tropical systems have likely heard the advice many times before: “the time to prepare for a storm is long before the storm forms. ” the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (noaa) named april 30 to may 6, 2023, as national hurricane preparedness week. Each day features a specific theme or topic that relates to being prepared with the goal to have residents in storm-prone locations ready for whatever the season may bring before june 1.

Hebel, along with bryan evans, mba, risk manager for uthealth houston, share their advice to help you weather the storm.

Protect your home with insurance

A flood is defined as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more properties from the overflow of inland or tidal waters, from unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any sources, or mudflow. The standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not include coverage for flood damage, including damage resulting from storm surge. You will need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to protect your home from damages due to flood. Water that enters the home from street flooding, an overflow of a creek, river, stream, or storm surge is generally covered by flood insurance - not a homeowners or renters policy.

Damage done by hurricanes is usually inflicted by wind and flooding, which can be costly losses. Have a conversation early on with your insurance providers to ensure that you take out adequate coverage to protect yourself from the costs hurricane damage can incur. Due to the high cost of damage caused by hurricanes, homeowners in hurricane-prone areas often need to take out multiple policies to ensure they are covered in the event of a severe storm. Some policies to consider are: homeowners, renters, or condo insurance wind coverage national flood insurance program (nfip) flood insurance – for property damage up to $250,000 and possessions up to $100,000.

1. Get cover for storm damage

During dangerous storms, large hail can cause irreparable damage to cars. Padded car covers intended to prevent or reduce the damage caused by hail stones are available. The level of protection offered by hail covers will ultimately depend on the type of cover and the size of the hail. Hail covers are unlikely to prevent damage from very large hail however they may reduce the level of damage. As a guide, hail covers can cost from $200 to more than $500. The price will depend on the quality and features of the cover and whether it is custom made for your particular car.

Various financial assistance programs are available to help families recover from losses due to storm damage. For instance, the red cross provides financial grants that cover immediate costs like food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, sanitation products, and debris removal tools, among other things. In addition, these grants aim to restore homes after storm events pass. Additionally, some cities offer short-term loan programs for individuals impacted by natural disasters like hurricanes or tornadoes. These loans come with zero percent interest repayment plans designed to prevent long-term debt issues for those struggling financially before the disaster. Another potential financing resource is the claims process itself.

According to the federal emergency management agency (fema), many businesses never fully recover after a disaster. Part of the reason involves the damage to physical locations and loss of critical data. Additionally, many companies simply cannot withstand the financial pressures caused by extended downtime. As a result, disaster recovery teams need to know the location of sensitive data and critical assets at each of your sites and how a hurricane may impact them. Experts recommend backing up your data on-premises, at a remote site, and in the cloud to ensure multiple layers of redundancy. You may even want to consider relocating physical assets to a separate, more secure location in advance of an oncoming storm.

Keep an emergency kit to hand

Create an emergency winter preparedness kit for you home that includes the following items: water, at least three gallons of water per person food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food per person prescribed medications battery-powered or hand-crank radio flashlight and extra batteries whistle to signal for help pet supplies a complete change of clothing and footwear for each person bedding important family documents extra clothes and blankets keep on hand items for your pets. Animals feel the effects of wind chill. Be sure to have suitable shelter with food and water. Winterize your home by weather-stripping and insulating walls, attics and basements. It will not only allow your house to maintain heat, but extends the life of your fuel supply, which can save money on heating costs.

Invest in an noaa emergency weather radio. An emergency weather radio will alert you when an emergency weather situation is imminent, even if you’re asleep or don’t have power. Many devices can be charged with external battery packs that charge cell phones, or with hand cranks. Pack an emergency readiness kit for the entire house. That should include non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, plenty of water, hand sanitizer, blankets, clean clothing, paper plates, and plastic utensils and cups, pillows and medications. For areas that are prone to power outages, a whole house or standby generator can be a valuable asset.

Check for any damage

Make sure your neighbours are safe and have their supplies before a storm. Secure all outdoor furniture. Make sure your outdoor furniture doesn’t blow around during a hurricane and cause damage. Monitor weather conditions before, during and after a hurricane. Your preparations timetable may need to change based on how the weather pattern changes. Create a hurricane supplies check list. Replace items like used batteries, empty gas canisters for portable stoves and first aid kits. Invest in an analogue phone. Make sure you have a phone that does not need electricity to work. If you have a generator or a bbq grill (gas or charcoal), do not operate it in the house.