With nearly three months of Atlantic hurricane season in the books, little has happened to this point. Is that reason to feel confident that the season will stay quiet? Not at all. Ten years ago this month, for example, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Just three years ago, Superstorm Sandy – which at some points was a hurricane – caused damage all along the East Coast in late October.
The point here is that the season remains in effect through November. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration predicts between six and 11 named storms this season, and to date, there have been four named storms: Ana, Bill, Claudette and Danny, with the last of those this week becoming the first hurricane.
Tropical Storm Ana formed in early May, making it the earliest cyclone on record to hit the United States. Ana struck the Carolinas and produced peak wind gusts of 62 mph, rainfall with a peak accumulation of 6.7 inches, and two-to-four feet of erosion of beaches in both states.
Tropical Storm Bill hit Texas, Oklahoma, and Central America in June. Bill recorded peak winds of 60 mph, peak rainfall of 13 inches, and flooding that caused two deaths in the Sooner State.
Tropical Storm Claudette formed in July off of the east coast of North Carolina. Claudette had wind gusts estimated at 50 mph, but did little damage beyond causing flight delays.
With potentially two-to-seven more storms anticipated for Atlantic hurricane season, it’s important to make sure you’re covered and that you’ve done everything possible to protect your home from disaster.
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?
Yes, up to a point and in certain circumstances.
The good news: Wind is one of the basic perils typically covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. So, if your home or its contents are damaged by a windstorm such as a tornado or hurricane that swept through town, your insurance could help to repair or replace damaged items up to your policy’s limits.
The bad news: Any flood damage caused by a hurricane is not covered unless you have purchased separate flood insurance coverage. Hurricanes are tropical storms and typically mean heavy rainfall, which can lead to accumulation and flooding.
And to add fuel to the fire, in coastal areas where hurricanes are common, the deductible for hurricane and wind damage can be rather high. It can be set as a percentage – typically between 2% and 5% – of your home’s value. If you live along the coasts, it’s important to speak with a licensed insurance agent to discuss which options are right for you and your home.
What can you do to protect your home from hurricanes?
First, prepare the residents of your home by putting together an emergency kit, and familiarize yourself and your family with the community’s hurricane evacuation plan and how to get to higher ground. Make sure you practice what to do in the event of a hurricane – and other disasters – with your family to help children stay calm and collected in emergency situations.
Reinforce your windows by installing storm shutters or covering them with plywood. Doing so will help prevent windows from breaking and debris or rain from entering your home.
Secure your roof to the frame structure by using straps or clips to keep it in place during severe storms. Any holes or missing shingles can allow water to leak into your house and cause damage. And while you’re securing your roof, be sure to clear out your gutters in order to allow water to properly flow away from your abode.
Reinforce your garage door. It’s one of the weakest points of your home because it’s made of lighter materials. If wind breaks down your garage door, it can cause a lot of structural and expensive damage to the inside of your garage as well.
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and well maintained to prevent projectiles from being thrown at your residence. It’s also wise to clear out other potential hazards such as patio furniture or trash cans when hurricane watches or warnings are issued in your area.
For more tips about how to prepare and what to do during a hurricane, visit Ready.gov. And don’t get overconfident about the calm nature of the season so far.
Photo credit for preview image: Flickr user/Jeff Albert
Follow our page in Facebook "Insurance Online". from Home Insurance Blog
