It’s hurricane season y’all. Are you prepared? Welcome to Texas – home of the best BBQ, the Alamo, and unpredictable weather. As Texas natives, we handle triple-digit temperatures like masters, but the stormy months between June and November really put us on edge. We’re talking about hurricane season.
You might be thinking – “I live in Central Texas, hundreds of miles away from the ocean; I don’t need to worry.” Well, hurricanes rarely make it intact to the central area of the state, but flooding is a much greater threat.
In 2020, hurricane season targeted the Lone Star State with 4 major storms: Hanna, Laura, Beta, and Delta. We also can’t forget to mention Harvey, a category 4 storm that broke records in 2017 and caused $125 billion in flood damage.
Off-the-chart storms and hurricanes tend to surprise Texans with little warning, but there are many ways to prepare. These are the best protection and prevention plans to have in place.
Protect:
Your investments – make sure your home and valuables are covered.
- Your home insurance probably doesn’t cover flood damage, so lock in a flood insurance policy ASAP (it takes 30 days to go into effect). You don’t need to live in a high-risk zone to have flood insurance; flooding can happen anywhere, especially after a heavy rain event.
- Purchase comprehensive auto insurance. This will pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by a flood or other unforgiving forces of nature. It’s good to have no matter what.
- Chat with your agent about adding more coverage for expensive possessions. Most home insurance policies limit what they’ll pay for belongings like jewelry and art.
- If you’re renting, invest in renter’s insurance. It will compensate for repairs or replacements if your personal property (electronics, clothes, furniture, etc.) is broken or lost in a flood.
Your documents – secure your insurance cards and important paperwork.
- In the event of an emergency, getting paperwork together will probably be the last thing on your mind. Take precaution – make copies of your insurance cards and policies, as well as irreplaceable documents.
- Keep the copies in a folder or email them to yourself in case you need to evacuate your home.
Your belongings – create a home inventory.
- To help potential insurance claims process quicker, take photos or videos of all the rooms in your house. Don’t forget about things inside of your closets and drawers.
- Write down the serial numbers of expensive items, how much you paid for them, and when they were bought to make sure you get the full value of your claim.
Prevent:
Roof damage – get your roof checked by a pro.
- Loose shingles or leaks will only worsen during a storm. Have your roof thoroughly inspected and secured 1-2 times a year, especially before hurricane season.
Home exterior damage – strengthen your windows and garage door.
- Shield your windows against hail, wind, rain, or flying debris by installing storm shutters.
- Invest in a wind-resistant garage door or add a brace to a regular garage door for extra safeguarding. High winds can cause a garage door to collapse inwards, putting a major strain on the roof and walls.
Yard damage – prepare your patio and trees.
- Remove dead tree limbs or branches that hover over your house.
- Tie-down outdoor items that can become windborne, such as furniture or trampolines. Bring them inside if you can.
No matter where you are in Texas, it’s best to be prepared for hurricane season ahead of time. And remember, if your home is ever affected by a flood; you can count on the EcoClean team to create a calm aftermath. With our high-quality restoration solutions, we make the clean-up process smooth and serene.
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