Tips: What To Do After A Flood

When floods occur from flash flooding (sudden rapid rising of water along streams or low-lying areas) Severe Thunderstorms, Tropical Storms and Hurricanes, the streets and your yard could be covered.

If you are under a flood or flash flood warning monitor the weather closely in case, you may have to prepare to evacuate and head out for higher ground.

Keep your cell phone charged and be alert to the weather stations for information. Have a Radio on hand to local stations in your area. Don’t forget to keep stocked up on batteries.

Stay Out of The Water

Walking through standing or moving water can be hazardous. Only 6 inches of moving water above your ankles can make you fall. Standing water can also build up microorganisms that contaminate and cause skin disease.

Electricity and Water Do Not Mix

The number two cause of death due to flooding is electricity wires and power lines down and even in the water. Electricity can make a pond or standing water charged and deadly. Stay away from them, do not test to see if they are active. Contact your electrical company immediately if you see power lines down or wires in or near any water.

Returning Home

If you had to evacuate, return home when officials have stated the area is safe.
Before you enter your home, check the outside and your property. Look for down power lines and gas lines that may be damaged. If you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, contact the fire department immediately. Keep pets and children away from the water and any dangerous places.

Approach your property carefully and check for any entry way damage, roofs that may be falling down, cracks in walls, windows and any outside damages.

Inside your home may have chemicals such as cleaning supplies, gasoline from the garage, and other things commonly used in the home that are now scattered and need cleaning up. Wear gloves and protective clothing and rubber boots.

Check for snakes, some may be poisonous, and small animals on your property and inside your home, that may have come in with the flood.

Check your food and make sure to throw out anything you question. Throw away anything that has been affected by the flood waters. Do not use the waters for washing dishes or baths, ice cubes, or anything, remember this water is contaminated. Check with your local public health department for a boil water recommendation or for treatment of any water.

Take pictures right away of any damages as you are checking your property and home for insurance purposes. If you can send the pictures to your email or upload to a photo website where you can store them. If anything happens to your camera or phone that takes pictures, you have a backup.

Flood Insurance Tips

Homeowners Insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood Insurance is separate policy.  Once there is a tropical storm or hurricane, in your area, there is a possibility of flooding. Without flood insurance you will pay out of pocket expenses for the damages, contact us today for more information.

Call us today to get your questions answered. 863-453-3903

 

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What is Wind Damage – Flood – Storm Surges from Hurricanes

Tropical Storms have winds from 39-73 mph and have the potential to do damage. Hurricane winds range from 75 mph and up. The stronger the winds the higher the category number for a Hurricane.

Category One – 74-95 mph
Damage to mobile homes and manufactured homes that are not anchored, shrubbery, trees, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage. Loss of electricity. Storm surge 4-5 ft

Category Two – 96-110 mph
Damage to possible destruction of mobile homes, manufactured homes, roofs, windows, trees, shrubbery, small craft in unprotected anchorages. Loss of electricity. Storm surge 6-8 ft

Category Three – 111-130 mph
Mobile homes are destroyed. Damage to small residences and utility buildings. Structural damage to homes possible. Flooding well inland very possible. Loss of electricity. Storm surge 9-12 ft

Category Four – 131-155 mph
Extensive damage to loss of curtain wall (an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are non-structural, used to keep out the weather.) Roof damage to destruction, damage to homes in general, flying debris, flooding, beach erosion. Loss of electricity. Storm surge 13-18 ft

Category Five – 155 mph+
Catastrophic Damage to whatever is in its path. If you do not have to be in a category Five Hurricane, Evacuate! This can cause, Roof destruction, loss of any utility buildings, major flooding to lower floors and all buildings and homes on or near a shoreline. Total destruction to mobile and manufactured homes. Extensive damage to homes and buildings. Flooding. Loss of electricity. Storm surge 18 ft +.  Hurricane Dorian Category 5, reached up to 185 mph with over 200 mph wind gusts over the Bahamas. Taking about the same route as Hurricane Andrew in 1992, this is very scary for all concerned in the Bahamas and Florida Coast.

If you live in a high rise building at the highest floor, you are likely to see more wind damage then on the lower floors, being the wind is stronger at higher levels. Lower levels may experience flooding, depending on the storm surge and category of the hurricane. If you are renting, be sure you have renters’ insurance, your landlord’s insurance may cover the building but not your personal belongings.

Hurricane winds are preceded by Tropical Storm winds and should not be taken lightly. Hurricane force most intense winds are on the right side of the eye wall. The eye wall (the inner circular formation of the hurricane) carries the highest winds and rain surrounding it. If you have the eye of a Hurricane coming over your area, you will experience a lull in the storm. This could be for just a few minutes to more depending on the size of the eye, how many miles across, and you do not want to be outside when the eye passes completely. The winds will pick up again for the other half of the storm.

Check your homeowner’s insurance before a hurricane is near your area to be sure your up to date. Once there is a watch issued binding restrictions take place within the carriers and aren’t lifted until the storm passes.

Flood insurance is not a part of your homeowners insurance coverage, and you will have to purchase it separately and will take 30 days to go into effect. Even if you are not in a flood zone, when there is a hurricane in your area, you will run the risk of possible flooding. Purchasing Flood Insurance would be a good idea before the Hurricane season starts.

Contact Us today for a homeowners and flood insurance questions or quotes at 863-453-3903 or visit our website budgetbirite.com fill out the form and we will have an agent contact you within 24 hours.

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of TipsDave at Pixabay.com

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How To Prepare Your Child for a Hurricane

Hurricanes can be very scary, wind howling, rain, and the possibilities of Tornado’s. We prepare the best we can, keeping a chart of the on coming storm, getting in supplies and making sure there is enough water for the days when there will be no electricity and possibly no drinking water.

Your children should be a part of your preparations. Let them know about how a hurricane works in a basic way they will understand depending on their age and always assure them that they can be safe.

Depending on the strength of the storm and what type of home you live in, you may be required to go to a shelter. Uprooting your kids, and then taking them to an unfamiliar place can be stressful for you and them. Prepare them ahead of time by packing a special suitcase or backpack with their clothes and special toys, coloring books, or stuffed animal they are attached to and let them know they are going to a safe place from the storm. Even if you do not have to leave, you and your children are prepared to go quickly.

If you are staying in your home during a hurricane, let them know that their lives after the hurricane will be different. The TV, video game machines etc, may not be accessible to them because there will be no electricity. Think ahead and have them help you prepare a space in a room, or a table with books, paper, crayons, craft supplies for small projects, puzzles, cards, etc. It would be a good idea to have them do the grocery shopping with you to and have special treats to look forward to. They will also see that shopping for a storm is different then your normal grocery list.

With the storm approaching, ask them if they have any questions about the storm and what fears they may have. Addressing these fears with them and letting them know that you are there for them will be less stress on them.

Is your hurricane insurance coverage up to date? Once there is a Watch issued, binding restrictions take place within the carriers and aren’t lifted until the storm passes.

Call us today to get your questions answered. 863-453-3903 or visit our website budgetbirite.com fill out the form and we will have an agent contact you within 24 hours.

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of 12019 at Pixabay.com

Hurricane Insurance Coverage for Florida – When Is It Too Late to Purchase

Hurricane Season is here and its time to get a list of supplies together just in case. As important as preparing for a storm is, you also need to make sure you have homeowners Insurance up to date with Hurricane Coverage. Once there is a watch issued, binding restrictions can take place within the carriers and aren’t lifted until the storm passes.

Things to consider for your homeowners policy.

Flooding in Florida

Flood Insurance is not included in your homeowners policy. Flood insurance is separate. Any damage from water that does not include wind and rain from the Hurricane would be covered under Flood insurance.

Check with an insurance agent and be advised that there is a 30 day waiting period before your flood policy can go into effect. You can get a flood policy even if you are not in a flood zone.

Coverage Inside and Out of your Home

Make sure you have a current policy that matches the value of your home and valuables. Now would be a good time to take inventory and re-check everything you want covered.

Don’t Be Surprised

Check into your policy to see how you benefit if there is loss due to a Tropical Storm or Hurricane. Do you have replacement of goods or will you get a cash value.

Windstorm Deductibles

What is your deductible? Don’t wait until a storm had caused damage to find out what you deductible is. Windstorm Insurance usually carries a much higher deductible. Talk to an insurance agent about what are the best possibilities for you.

Take it With You

In the event you need to evacuate your home, take your insurance policy with you. As a back up, make copies and mail to a friend or email to yourself. You can also make copies and keep in a safety deposit box at your local bank.

Have a Pool?

Many pool owners have a screened in pool or a pool cage. Make sure this is also covered on your policy.

Storm Shutters

Having storm shutters may not only be a bonus for your home, but also on your homeowners policy. Ask an insurance agent about a bonus for having the shutters.

After The Storm

Assess your property damage, make notes and take pictures inside and out to present to your insurance agent. Keep receipts of everything your spent in repairs, and what you needed to get your through the storm. Not all may be covered but better to have them then not. If you had to evacuate or leave your property after the storm because of damage, keep receipts of hotel bills, food, rental car, etc.

Call us today to get your questions answered. 863-453-3903 or visit our website budgetbirite.com fill out the form and we will have an agent contact you within 24 hours

Photo courtesy of WikiImages at Pixabay.com

Do You Have the Right Hurricane Insurance Coverage for Florida?

The past couple of years Florida has been busy with Hurricanes. We can weather the storms or get out of the way, but number one is to always be prepared for the unexpected. Have your home owners policy up to date for hurricanes ahead of time. Once there is a watch issued binding restrictions take place within the carriers and aren’t lifted until the storm passes.

2017 was a very busy Hurricane season with 4 Hurricanes being very expensive! Hurricane Harvey (Cat 4) started the ball rolling into Texas Aug. 25, 2017 and leaving extensive damage with Houston and surrounding areas flooded

On September 10th Hurricane Irma (Cat 4) came into the Florida Keys and ran her course up into Central Florida.About 5.6 million people evacuated, making this storm to cause one of the biggest evacuations ever ordered in the United States.

Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico with winds of 155 mph (Cat 4) on September 20th, 2017. This hurricane took an estimated 3,975 lives and left the island with massive destruction.

Nate made landfall around 7 p.m. CDT Oct. 7th near the mouth of the Mississippi River as a Category 1 Hurricane, then made its final landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi, just after midnight Oct. 8.

Then there was Hurricane Michael in 2018 hitting the Florida panhandle near Mexico Beach as a Category 5 doing devastating damage at an estimated $25.1 billion.

Contact us today to be sure your hurricane coverage is right for you, ask for a free quote! We can help you be prepared with your Hurricane policy’s before the storm and claims if needed after the storm has left.

We have experience with Hurricanes – Charlie, Francis and Jeanne in 2004 and Irma in 2017, all came right to our front door.

Get your questions answered. 863-453-3903 or visit our website budgetbirite.com fill out the form and we will have an agent contact you within 24 hours.

See our other helpful articles for Hurricanes here

 

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Mariamichelle at Pixabay.com