 With hurricane season quickly approaching, you may be wondering what your hurricane preparedness checklist should look like this year. Homeowners and business owners across the state brace for this annual season that begins every June 1st. These volatile storms can cause severe damage resulting from wind-borne debris, heavy winds and rain. Homeowners all too often find themselves underprepared and assume there will not be a devastating hurricane, if any at all, because hurricane season can be so unpredictable. With so many factors to consider when creating a hurricane preparedness plan, it is smart to develop a comprehensive plan in advance. 3 Hurricane Preparedness Check Lists to Create Do not wait for the storm to be looming. Be prepared with a comprehensive hurricane supply, safety and pre and post loss checklist, before the crowds scramble for last-minute supplies and gas. Hurricane Supply Checklist When it comes to supplies, acquiring them when you hear a weather alert for an impending storm can result in empty shelves and panic. We created our own Reliant Hurricane Supply Checklist as well. You can download and print it here: The following is also a supply checklist the Red Cross suggests having readily available, especially during hurricane season. ● 3 Gallons of water ● 3-Day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food ● Flashlight ● Battery-powered or hand-crank radio ● Extra batteries ● First aid kit ● 7-Day supply of medications and medical items, such as hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, a cane ● Multi-purpose tool ● Copies of personal documents, such as insurance policies, birth certificates, lease, or the deed to your home ● Sanitation and personal hygiene items ● Emergency blanket ● Insect repellent and sunscreens ● Baby supplies, including bottles, formula, baby food, and diapers ● Cell phone with chargers ● Family and emergency contact information ● Extra cash ● Map(s) of the area ● Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl) ● Extra set of car keys and house keys ● Extra clothing, hat, and sturdy shoes ● Camera for photos of the damage Hurricane Safety Checklist Below are a few recommendations from the Red Cross to help ensure you and your loved ones remain safe before, during, and after a hurricane. ● Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS) ● Check, replace, or restock your disaster supplies as needed ● Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind such as bicycles or lawn furniture ● Close your windows and doors boarding them up with plywood or hurricane shutters ● Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances ● Fill your car’s gas tank ● Evacuate as advised by authorities and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges Pre-Loss Check List While the most important thing is yours and your family’s safety when hurricane season approaches, keeping your home standing is also important. During National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 9-15), the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA) is encouraging homeowners to understand their insurance policy before a storm hits. Read the article here, including a quote from me as the President of FAPIA. To best prepare, you should be sure your insurance policies are up to date. You should have digital records secure but easily accessible if, in the worst case scenario, the hurricane destroys your paper trail. You should also conduct a pre-loss inspection before a storm just in case you need to file any claims. By doing so, you are equipping yourself with sufficient evidentiary support and can increase your chances of receiving a full payout for your damages. Click here to download our Pre and Post Loss Check List for your convenience. Not everyone has the resources, time, or equipment to comprehensively document the interior and exterior of their home and business with drone footage, videos, and photos before a storm. At Reliant Insurance Adjusters, we have the resources needed to properly conduct these inspections, which will help with any insurance claims from hurricane damage and more. Contact us today for your pre-loss property assessment and report. We are always here to help.
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