Hurricanes bring two big problems: water and wind. Depending on where you live, you may need to buy these separate policies in order to cover hurricane damage:
- Flood insurance: No homeowner’s insurance policy will cover floods, including water from a storm surge. To get coverage, you’ll need flood insurance.
- Windstorm insurance: Homeowners insurance policies in some hurricane-prone states won’t pay for windstorm damage. If you live in one of these states and want coverage, buy a separate windstorm insurance policy.
Here are some basic emergency preparedness suggestions to include in your planning process.
- Create a family communication plan for children and adults to have. Put copies in children's backpack and in your wallet or purse.
- Flood insurance is not covered under your homeowner’s policy. While hurricanes are generally covered, if a flood ensues later, it may not be covered. You will need a separate flood policy.
- Install hurricane shutters.
- Prune all trees around your home.
- Keep a mobile emergency kit in your car.
- Monitor radio and local TV stations for evacuation orders. Act without delay to avoid traffic.
- Assemble/replenish disaster supplies kit: FEMA recommends three days of food and water for each member of the household, including pets. You can assemble a kit yourself, or purchase a pre-assembled kit online or from many local stores. Store items in your household designated safe location.
- Discuss with your family the safe locations for shelter in the places you are likely to spend time: home, school, work, place of worship, etc.
- Find out your vulnerability to flooding, wind, and storm surges, and whether you live in a mandatory evacuation zone. Visit the FloodSmart.gov website to see updated flood maps.
Source: By Phil Klotzbach, lead author of the Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane forecasting team, and I.I.I. non-resident scholar.