Historically in the Charleston area, September has been the month for most Hurricanes to affect the area. Hurricane season lasts through November so we havent made it through the season yet but lets hope we do without incident. In the event of a hurricane, here are some helpful tips to help you weather the storm.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 severaltowns 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 beleft 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 withyou 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 oftime.
Prepare and maintain a “Hurricane Kit” (a list of recommended supplies isincluded). 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 TipsPage 4 of 11
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 undamagedportion 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 toprove 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 towait 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 andless 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.
