It is that time of year when we need to prepare for the upcoming storm season. As you know weather can be very unpredictable here in the Low country, so it is very important to get a Hurricane plan in place. Over the next couple of weeks I will be sharing some important information in regards to Hurricane preparedness. This week we will focus on preparing a Hurricane Plan.
YOUR OUR HURRICANE PLAN:
Have a practice drill to determine what everyone’s responsibility will be.
Educate all family members in CPR and other first aid measures.
Teach children how to use a fire extinguisher and when & how to call 911 for
emergency assistance.
Check all fire alarms, smoke alarms, etc. for proper operation.
Determine what the criteria will be as to whether you evacuate or stay in your
home.
Know your evacuation routes and determine which route you will use should
an evacuation order be issued.
Determine in advance your evacuation destination. If you will not be staying
with a friend or family member, make hotel reservations at this location as
soon as a “watch” is issued. Remember, that during an evacuation several
towns may be evacuated at the same time and hotels will fill up quickly in all
surrounding areas. Reservations can be cancelled.
Make a decision about vehicles. If you have more than one vehicle and will
not be taking all of them with you determine where the other vehicles will be
left during the storm.
Make a decision about boats and other recreational vehicles.
If you have pets, determine whether they will evacuate with you or be placed
in a shelter.
Have a list of phone numbers, such as family members, doctors, employers,
insurance company’s, etc.
Make arrangements for extra cash on hand.
Catalog all personal items NOW. Include description (brand name, model
number, age, purchase price, place of purchase, etc.) Take a picture of
everything and make two copies of the pictures and lists. Keep one copy with
you and send the other to a relative or friend out of town. Never give the
insurance company the only copy.
Have a secure place for all valuables & documents that you will need to take
with you, such as birth certificates, property deeds, insurance policies, etc.
Determine an out-of-town person who can be a “point of contact” to
communicate messages if communications are down for an extended period of
time.
Prepare and maintain a “Hurricane Kit” (a list of recommended supplies is
included). It is recommended that you have approximately 7 gallons of water
for each person and food supplies for a minimum of 2 weeks.
Check all flashlights, battery operated radios & TVs, and other supplies in your
“Hurricane Kit” for proper operation.
Evaluate your home to determine if you can make improvements that will
provide better protection. If you have an older home, getting a professional
opinion about updated building codes, etc. may be helpful in determining
beneficial improvements.
Community Management Group Hurricane Planning Tips
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You should also review your insurance policy, with your agent, to determine if
you need to make any coverage changes. Be sure to ask questions about
coverage for updated building codes, demolition coverage for an undamaged
portion of your home, flood coverage, understand your coverage and
deductibles, clarify any exclusions, verify that in the event of a complete loss
you will have the coverage you need to re-build, ask what you will need to
prove a claim, find out what their procedures are relative to immediate
protection of the home following a loss, ask who to contact immediately
following the storm and get phone numbers, how long you may expect to
wait for an adjuster, how contact will be made in the event that all
communications are lost for a period of time, and any other questions that
you can think of. Preparing now will make the claims process much easier and
less stressful for everyone.
Obtain and prepare plywood, plastic, shutters or other protective provision
for windows & doors. Install and inspect the covering in advance of an
emergency to insure proper fit.
