Hurricane Preparedness
PLAN!
What to do before, During, and After the storm
After the Storm
These arrangements should be made well in advance because available spaces fill up quickly as a storm approaches. If you plan to take your pets with you, remember to take these items for their care:
If you have to leave your pets at home, try to secure them in a safe area of your home. Otherwise, your pets may escape and become disoriented as a storm could alter landmarks and scent trails. Make sure the pet is wearing a collar with proper identification. Remember, don't leave dogs and cats in the same space. Even if they normally get along, things may change as the storm approaches. Some other things to remember are:
If you live away from the coast and have a home along the coast, it's a good idea to have someone at that location watch your home for you. While it might be easy to get to the coast to take care of securing your home, you take a chance of getting caught in the evacuation back inland.
Prior to the storm even approaching North Carolina:
- See if your home is located in a flood-prone area. You can get this information from your local (city government), your insurance agent, or even your neighbors.
- Take the time now to do some tedious tasks which will save you time in the long run. These include cleaning your gutters and storm drains. This is to make sure you have no barriers to block water flow once it starts getting heavy.
- Prune your trees. Remove any dead limbs. You want wind to be able to flow through your tree limbs to lessen the possibility of them being blown over in a heavy wind situation.
- Take stock of what loose objects you have around the outside of your house. The barbeque grill, birdfeeder, bicycles, toys, etc. Do you have any hanging plants? Where would you stow these things when you have to be basically on 'automatic pilot' in an evacuation situation?
- Speaking of loose, check the chimney, roof, walls, and foundation of your home for stability. Does your home need to be bolted to its foundation?
- Learn now how to shut off the water, gas, and electricity to your home.
- Is your insurance up to date?
- Where are your important papers?
- Take an inventory of your home's contents. Take pictures or videos. Put them in a safe place.
- What would you use to secure your water heater and major appliances? How about those tall and heavy pieces of furniture? Pictures or mirrors?
What You Need to Know about Insurance
When a storm does come our way, so will insurance adjustors, but rest assured they will be busy.
One of the biggest concerns after a storm-- downed trees and who pays for damage. Most companies will pay to have trees removed from structures like your home or car. But it's up to you to pay to have trees removed from your yard.
The other concern is inland flooding. Your regular homeowner's insurance won't cover this damage. You can purchase flood insurance through your agent, but it's too late to help you after the storm hits. It must to be bought 30 days before a storm. Call your agent to see if you live in a flood prone area.
Insurance experts say don't make permanent repairs until you talk to your agent. But sometimes you have to do some Band-Aid work to make your home livable. If you do have to make temporary repairs, keep all receipts.