What can you do to Plan for Natural Disasters?

Regardless of where you live, it’s important to have your home prepared for a potential natural disaster. If you experience a natural disaster, we are here to help. Please visit our Disaster Assistance page for resources available to you if you are impacted. 

Here are some general tips regarding emergency preparedness: 

• Have an emergency plan. Discuss your plan with your family and identify who is responsible for what in the event of an emergency. 
• Have an emergency supply kit prepared containing nonperishable food, bottled water, medical supplies, any medications and emergency power sources (portable cell phone charger, flashlights and batteries.) 
• Know where your nearest emergency shelter is located and have multiple routes to get there safely. For families with pets, ensure your plan includes accommodations for your pets. 

Additionally, remember to check your insurance coverage on your home. Hazard insurance protects your home and other nearby structures on your property, like a garage, against any damage caused by natural events and is typically a subsection of your homeowners insurance policy. Usually, a certain amount of hazard insurance is required to qualify for a mortgage.  

The cost of hazard insurance differs due to a variety of factors, including where you live and your credit score. In general, hazard insurance will only cover the occurrences listed explicitly in the policy so it’s essential to ensure your hazard insurance covers disasters in your area.  

Not all hazard insurance is the same. Read through your current homeowners insurance policy and clarify with your insurance agent any exclusions or risks your policy may have. You might need to purchase additional coverage to protect against specific events, such as purchasing a home in a flood zone. Unsure if your current homeowners insurance covers what you need? Covered Insurance can help! 

Hurricanes 

Hurricane season begins May 15th in the north Pacific, June 1st in the Atlantic and Caribbean and ends November 30th. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) will begin issuing tropical weather outlooks about two weeks prior to the start of the season. Here are some recommendations to prepare for hurricane season: 

• Secure anything that could blow around in a storm and cause damage to your house, such as bikes, lawn furniture and outdoor grills. 
• Cover your windows and doors. Invest in storm shutters or have plywood on hand to nail to the outer window frames.  
• Know where your water, gas and electrical lines are located in the event your area releases emergency instructions to shut off any connections. If you are able to safely evacuate, disconnect all lines before leaving your home. 
• Place sandbags around doors or flood-prone areas to help decrease the chance of water damaging the inside of your home. 

Earthquakes 

• Secure any heavy items like bookcases and shelves to walls to prevent them from falling over. 
• Know how to shut off your gas and water. 

Tornadoes 

• Keep your yard clean of debris and trim large trees. 
• Check all your exterior doors. They should all have three hinges and a deadbolt lock that is, at minimum, one-inch long. 
• Identify the safest place to hide in your home. This is typically in the basement or an interior room without windows (bathroom, closet or hallway.) 

Wildfires 

• Keep flammable objects like lawnmowers, oil or gas cans, propane tanks and woodpiles at least 30 feet away from the home at all times. 
• Ensure your roof, gutters, deck or patio are clear of leaves or other flammable items. 
• Trim tree limbs 10 feet above the ground. 

For any other questions about how to prep your home, please check your state or region’s website for details about how to prepare for natural disasters. You can also visit www.disasterassistance.gov to find available resources.