How To Prepare for Storm Season 2020

 
 
 
 

This time last year, I began writing this article as I sat poolside in sunny Florida, drinking a pina colada, while my friends and family sent me pictures of tornadoes and major street flooding in the city of New Orleans.

My flight left right before the rain came in and as I took my phone off of airplane mode two hours later I was inundated with pictures of canals reaching their peaks, major street flooding, and water spouts eerily close to my home and office.

This has become commonplace in a city that sits approx. 6 feet below sea level and has an aging,insufficient infrastructure that can no longer keep up with an everyday rainstorm. With heightened rivers and areas that never flooded before experiencing repeated flooding it time now more than ever to BUY FLOOD INSURANCE.

This year, our summer may look very different as the vacations are put on hold, but the risk is still the same.

According to a Colorado State University (CSU) study, this storm season is expected to be more active than usual with 16 named storms, and 8 of them expected to become Hurricanes. I’m not here to instill fear into you. I’m here to educate and prepare you.

Firstly, it is important to note that homeowners insurance policies DO NOT cover the cost of flood damage. That’s where flood insurance comes in.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) protects the insured in the event of a claim.

What does flood insurance cover?

Great question. Flood insurance helps with the financial cost after a storm. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, those with flood insurance had help with rebuilding and replacing:

  • Electrical and plumbing systems

  • Furnaces and water heaters

  • Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances like dishwashers

  • Permanently installed carpeting

  • Permanently installed cabinets, paneling, and bookcases

  • Window blinds

  • Foundation walls, anchorage systems, and staircases.

  • Detached garages

  • Fuel tanks, well water tanks and pumps, and solar energy equipment

What doesn’t flood insurance cover?

Anything not directly impacted by the flood is not covered.

For example:

  • Temporary housing and additional living expenses incurred while the building is being repaired or is unable to be occupied

  • Property outside of an insured building. For example, landscaping, wells, septic systems, decks and patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools

  • Financial losses caused by business interruption

  • Currency, precious metals, stock certificates, and other valuable papers

  • Cars and most self-propelled vehicles, including their parts

  • Personal property kept in basements

This information may be overwhelming, but it is important to take in. The good news is preparing now, will save you A LOT of time and energy in the case of an emergency.

Flood insurance is easy to purchase and generally affordable depending on your flood zone.

If you live in a vulnerable area and want to learn more, I will offer you a complimentary risk assessment at kristin@theswansongroup.net

Stay safe and prepared. I wish you all the best of luck during these trying times.

Checklist

I encourage you to print out this Storm Season checklist, post it on your fridge, and make notes as you prepare this year.



Storm Season Prep Checklist.jpg
 
Kristin Swanson