The Calm Before and After the Storm

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy flickr

As I write this blog, Hurricane Dorian is howling outside.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that the storm is well offshore…this time.  That got me to thinking about telling all my readers a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when a named storm is bearing down on them.  The most important thing to do is to take action during the calm before the storm, instead of wondering what you forgot to do when the wind is howling and the rain is coming down in sheets.

1.      Before you batten down the hatches – It never ceases to amaze me how most of the public waits until the last minute to prepare for a hurricane.  Then it comes down to who can get the last bottles of water on the shelf or the last sheet of plywood.  Since Florida experiences more hurricanes than any other state in the union and we have personally had to weather three of them in north Florida during the past 4-years, you’d think residents would know they need to plan in advance by assuming a named storm will make an appearance sometime during hurricane season.  While it’s a bit late to worry about pulling together everything you need to wait out the wrath of Dorian, if you want to avoid the panic buying next year, make sure you have enough water, canned goods, batteries, tarps and plywood in the beginning of the season as opposed to the middle of it.

Image courtesy flickr

2.      Come hell or high water – Even if you don’t live in a flood zone, that doesn’t mean that flood water can’t find its way into your home.  If the sewer lines should get overwhelmed or blocked, the water in any neighborhood can rise high enough to enter most any home.  Should water get inside your home, the damage can be catastrophic.  Not only can belongings and furnishings be damaged or destroyed by water, once saturated they are a breeding ground for mold.  High water can also allow critters like snakes and fire ants to enter your home as they seek shelter.  Last but not least, since water and electricity don’t mix, anytime water enters your home there is a potential for electrocution.  Before you wind up clinging to a kitchen counter as water swirls all around you, there are several things you should do prior to any named storm. 

3.      Storm Preparation - Before wind and rain commence, use your smartphone to shoot a video inside and outside of your property to document your belongings.  This way, should you need to make a claim after the storm has abated, you’ll be able to document the condition of your property.  Make sure you know where the breaker box is so you can kill the power if water is getting too close for comfort to your home.  If you load a cooler with provisions, make sure you keep it atop the counter as opposed to on the floor, since you don’t want to risk what’s inside being contaminated by flood water.  No matter how high the flood water gets, avoid sheltering in your attic.  That’s a quick way to wind up drowning if the water continues to rise.

4.      Do not panic. – Having lived though at least a dozen hurricanes, I can tell you that the most dangerous element during a named storm isn’t wind and water, it’s panic.  I’ve seen people wind up being injured or killed because they didn’t heed the warnings to evacuate before the storm arrived, only to wind up being struck by debris or lightning when they went outside during the storm to try to shore up their homes.  Unless your home is floating downstream during a storm, the only safe place for you to stay is inside.  If a window blows out or a limb pokes a hole in the roof, your best bet is to close off the room until after the storm is over.  To go outside during a storm is a good way to get injured.  Remember that there is little chance of getting emergency aid during a hurricane.  If you get hurt, you’re pretty much on your own until the storm has passed. 

Image courtesy NeedPix

5.      The calm after the storm – Just as there is a right way and a wrong way to shelter during the storm, there is a right way and a wrong way to behave after the storm has subsided.  If your neighborhood lost power, the best thing to do is to kill the breaker in your home.  That way when they power is restored you won’t risk damage to your appliances by a sudden power surge.  If there are trees and/or power lines down in your neighborhood, don’t wander around sightseeing.  That’s a good way to wind up getting injured or electrocuted.  Your best bet immediately after the storm is to assess the damage to your property and shore up any storm damage.  Also take the time to shoot pictures or a video of any damage so you can file an insurance claim.  If you have a gas generator, make sure it’s positioned at least 10-feet from your home before you start it since the exhaust it emits can kill you faster than the storm. 

6.      What not to do after the storm is over. – Speaking of storm no-no’s, as much as you might wish to repair your home or haul sodden belongings out to the street for pickup, delay doing so until you have spoken to your insurance agent first.  The quickest way to wind up with a denied claim is to do the wrong thing before an insurance adjuster shows up to assess your claim.  If your home was inundated by floodwater and you don’t have flood insurance, you’re going to have to carefully document any wind damage.  You’ll also need to determine whether your home is still habitable.  While it could prove costly to move into a hotel while the work of repairing your property takes place, the health risks associated with staying in your home could be even costlier.  Those costs would have been picked up by your insurer if you had a flood policy.  Even if your home isn’t in a designated flood zone, that doesn’t mean it can’t flood.  Before the next named storm comes your way, I urge all Florida homeowners to talk to their insurance agent about a flood policy.  You’ll sleep better when the media announces the next hurricane is imminent.

Catherine Powell is the owner of A Plus All Florida, Insurance in Orange Park, Florida.  To find out more about saving money on all your insurance needs, check out her website at http://aplusallfloridainsuranceinc.com/