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With hurricane season 2021 quickly approaching, it’s vital that South Florida homeowners are ready and prepared for what’s to come. Each year we wait with bated breath as storm after storm makes its slow approach towards South Florida. While we’ve been rather lucky for the most part through the last few years, all it takes is one storm, as many of us have experienced personally. Because of this lapse in danger, many homeowners have grown to write off hurricane season as nothing to fear. However, this just simply isn’t the case. Before that first storm starts inching its way towards South Florida, make sure you’re aware of the following:
When Does Hurricane Season Start?
The official hurricane season 2021 starts June 1st and ends on November 30th. That said, the National Hurricane Center recently announced that its unofficial start is May 15th. This is due to the increasing amount of tropical depressions and storms in the past few years that are starting to form well before the standard June 1st start date. While they may not seem like much, tropical-storm-force winds can still blow at speeds upwards of 70 miles per hour. This certainly isn’t something to ignore and can lead to uprooted trees and downed power lines. It’s highly recommended that homeowners start planning for hurricane season 2021 now in advance.
What Are Some Essentials Homeowners Should Have?
A few days before a hurricane shouldn’t be when you start hunting for supplies. Chances are, stores will be packed to the brim with other procrastinators, making supply for most essentials rather slim. This hurricane season 2021, consider stocking up on these must-haves so you and your family are ready well in advance:
Water – At least a three day supply; a gallon per person per day
Food – At least a three day supply of nonperishable food & easy to prepare foods
Flashlight
Battery Power Radio
First Aid Kit
Medication Personal Documents (birth certificates, insurance policies, deed/lease for the home)
Personal Home Generator (For Outdoor Use ONLY)
Be prepared in the event that you may lose power for an extended period as electricians work to get power lines reestablished. While you can use a generator to power specific appliances and essential electronics in your home, DO NOT use the generator within your home. These generators produce an excessive amount of carbon monoxide which can be deadly when exposed to for an extended period.
In the event of an extremely powered storm coming towards South Florida, we also strongly recommend having an evacuation plan in place for you and your family. Always be aware of what local experts and representatives are saying in the event of an emergency, as you should not try and stay in your home.
What To Do If Your Home Is Damaged During A Hurricane?
Hurricanes bring devastating winds which can reach speeds in excess of 160 miles per hour, as well as torrential downpours that can lead to storm surges and flooding. While many of us take precautions such as shutters and stormproof glass, these storms can still wreak havoc. If your home is damaged in any way during a hurricane, don’t panic. The team at Reliant Public Adjusters is here to help. While your insurance provider does want to help, they will battle to minimize the amount they have to pay out to you. We here at Reliant know how taxing this can be after experiencing such a traumatic experience, which is why we’ll both walk you through the steps you have to follow, along with fighting for you to maximize your claim from the insurance company. Contact us online or give us a call at (561) 929-9826 to learn more about how we can help you get the most for your insurance claim today.