June 1 marked the first day of the 2009 hurricane season.
Everyone is aware that hurricanes can produce storm surges
and tropical force winds along the gulf coast. The time to prepare is now.
Basic Tips for Hurricane Planning
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The following provides some general tips for staying safe
and fortifying your home. To be completely prepared, visit ready.gov to view
more thorough tip lists that give special instructions about the disasters that
are likely to happen in your area. You can also download our hurricane
supply kit checklist.
[Additional Links]
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- Inventory the contents of your home and take photos or videos of both the exterior and interior.
Be sure to record contents of closets, cabinets and drawers. Keep copies in a safe, separate location
if possible.
- Arrange with family or neighbors to have a contact number or location where you can
check in to report on your safety or new whereabouts.
- Gather your vital documents and records and make duplicate copies to be stored in a weatherproof container.*
- Stay tuned to local news stations via battery-operated radio, and be prepared to evacuate if ordered.
- Cover windows and doors with shutters or plywood if high winds are expected.
- Move electronics or valuable objects away from windows and wrap in plastic garbage bags to keep dry.
- Have a supply of bottled water on hand; fill sinks and bathtubs with water to use for bathing, washing clothes or flushing the toilet.
- Shut off water at the main valve and electricity at the main fuse or breaker box.
- Bring indoors outdoor objects that may fly around, such as trash cans and patio furniture.
- Gather all your important papers to take with you in the case of evacuation.
- Prepare a supply kit for you and your family providing the basic necessities for a few days.
- Have sufficient cash and travelers checks on hand.
- Know your evacuation route and communicate this route and destination with family members.
- Have your keys, driver’s license, credit cards, personal identification and any prescription medications
including eye glasses or contact lenses together and ready to retrieve quickly should an evacuation be necessary.
Insurance Matters
- Understand exactly what your insurance company covers in the event of a disaster.
- Call your mortgage company to see how reimbursements from your home insurance company will be handled.
- Notify your insurance company of any storm related loss as soon as possible. Direct claim numbers for
your home and flood insurance companies can be found here
Fraud and Scams
- Don’t pay cash to a contractor for home repairs, and never give your credit card number unless you are paying the bill with it.
- Be sure you have a signed contract detailing the work you want to have done, and don’t make a final payment until the work has been done to your satisfaction.
- Make sure that any contractors, plumbers, electricians, or roofers are bonded, licensed, and registered in Florida. You can check their license status with sunbiz.org.
- Try to get several bids before agreeing to any work; a one-third down payment is considered appropriate.
- Beware of home repair loan brokers who guarantee you a loan if you first pay a fee.
- If you suspect you have been taken advantage of, call your state attorney general’s office.
Be sure to check with elderly neighbors and family who may need assistance both before and after a storm.
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