Mid-September is the peak of Florida’s hurricane season. After a quiet July, tropical activity is ramping up this August, so it’s essential that you know how to prepare yourself, your family and your property for any surprises Mother Nature may bring your way this year.
Consider these tips from American Integrity Insurance Group regarding ways to prep your home before a storm hits.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Preparing for a Florida hurricane includes gathering the essentials so that you have them on hand if or when needed – or if you have to evacuate inland. Gather all the items into a go-bag like a duffel or backpack and keep it close. Here are some suggested items – more can be found at the FEMA Ready website:
- Flashlights or battery-powered lanterns
- Extra batteries for everything electronic you plan to use or take
- Comprehensive first-aid kit
- Canned or packaged ready-to-eat food
- Bottles of water
- Cash
- Masks
- Pet supplies
- Medications
- Cellphones, portable charging batteries
It may also be wise to have copies of your important documents with you, or at least saved in the cloud and accessible by portable computer or cellphone. If signal is broken and power is off, you would at least have physical copies with you. Always store original documents in a lockbox or other secure location off-site. Also know your evacuation route and shelter info, including pet-friendly options.
Related Post: Storm Season – Are You Prepared?
Prepare for Power Outages
One of the first impacts from Florida hurricanes is a loss of electricity. Be prepared for this, knowing that anything in your home that runs on electrical power will now be unavailable. This can include running water for drinking or sanitation.
- Charge all cellphones and electrical devices and keep them fully charged until the power fails.
- Run the bathtub full of clean water for drinking and for filling and flushing toilets.
- FEMA suggests turning your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and opening the doors only when absolutely necessary to keep perishables unspoiled for as long as possible.
- Plan to eat dry foods only during a power outage to preserve perishable foods.
- Have candles, flashlights or electric lanterns handy, at strategic places throughout your home.
Secure Your Property
You should also secure your property as much as possible against winds, flying debris and flooding. Take these suggested measures:
- Close storm shutters or board over windows. Stay away from glass throughout the storm.
- Store outdoor furniture, toys and other loose items indoors.
- Clean out gutters and downspouts to facilitate the free flow of water away from your home during the storm and heavy rainfall.
You should also prepare a secure place where you and your family can safely ride out the storm in case it comes closer than expected.
Obtain Hurricane Insurance in Florida
The time to obtain hurricane insurance in Florida is before a storm hits. Many policies have no waiting periods. And many homeowners do not realize that a standard homeowners insurance policy does not cover flooding – you need a flood insurance policy for hurricane or natural disaster flooding.
Contact an agent near you with American Integrity Insurance Group and inquire about getting the hurricane insurance in Florida that you need to protect your property.
American Integrity Insurance is committed to providing Florida homeowners with sound, comprehensive insurance coverage and an extraordinary customer experience. We strive to be a valued partner to our policyholders, agents, and community.
We offer traditional and high valued homeowners insurance, condo insurance, renters insurance, and the special coverage required for vacant homes, manufactured homes, and policies designed for those who need less coverage or are renting out their home. We also offer extra protection, including flood insurance, umbrella insurance, golf cart insurance, boat insurance, cyber coverage and identity theft protection as well as equipment breakdown coverage, to help address a broad range of needs facing Florida homeowners today.