Hurricanes are a part of life in South Florida. The state averages two to three hurricane landfalls each year, and some years bring more than that. With this much activity, it’s essential to take steps before the storm arrives to make sure that your family is safe and secure.
Prepare for a hurricane long before it arrives.
If you live in South Florida, a hurricane-prone area, you know that the time to prepare is now.
While it's important to be aware of the weather and take appropriate precautions, it's equally important to have a plan for what you'll do if a hurricane hits.
Stock up on nonperishable food, water and batteries
Make sure you have the tools and materials to secure your home with storm shutters or plywood boards over windows and doors
Have flashlights and batteries on hand
Fill up your car with gas in case of power outages or evacuations
Withdraw enough cash to buy supplies and hotel stay after the storm
Have a plan for your family and pets.
You should always have a plan for your family. This can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, but the most important thing is that everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
Think about where you will meet up with your family if you are separated. Emergency Evacuation in Miami-Dade
Make sure that all members of your household know how to contact each other by cell phone and email since these are typically the easiest ways to communicate when regular phone lines go down due to power outages or weather events such as hurricanes or tornadoes.
Prepare a Home Hurricane Kit
Make sure that your home hurricane kit is stocked with nonperishable food and water. You will also want to make sure that you have a flashlight and radio so you can stay informed about any evacuation orders issued by local authorities.
If possible, keep a first aid kit in the house somewhere that is easy for everyone in the family to get access to (like under the bathroom sink), especially if any of your children are small enough to not be able to reach high shelves easily themselves yet! Make sure there are plenty of bandages and sanitizer available too just in case anyone gets injured during an evacuation period or while waiting out bad weather conditions indoors instead of outside where they will be more prone to getting hurt during power outages because there won't be street lights on anymore either).
Protect your home and family from hurricane damage
To ensure your home is ready for a storm, here are some tips to help you:
Secure windows that could blow out in high winds.
Make sure doors and garage doors are secure.
Clear your gutters of debris so that the wind does not push water into the house when it rains.
Move any furniture or other items outside that could be damaged by strong winds or flying debris.
Consider getting Sand Bags or Quick Dams to protect your home from flooding. These products can be purchased at most hardware stores and are relatively easy to install.
Find safe shelter during a storm
If you decide to stay in Florida during a hurricane, your first priority is to find a safe place where you can ride out the storm. The following are some tips for finding shelter during a storm:
Stay away from windows and doors, as flying debris can cause serious injury or death.
Stay away from trees and power lines, which could fall on top of you during strong winds.Kn
Know where nearby shelters are located and how far away they are from your home so that if there's an emergency evacuation, you'll know where to go without having to waste time looking for one in an emergency situation (especially if cell phone service has been compromised). Having a plan for your pets ahead of time will ensure that they won't be left alone at home when everyone else evacuates—and might even save their lives!
Take pictures of your home before the storm
Taking pictures of your home before the storm is important because it will help you file a storm damage insurance claim in Florida. The photos should include the date, time and location of each one. You should take pictures of:
Roofs
Siding and foundation
Inside of your home
Hire a public adjuster to help you file a claim after the storm.
If your home suffers storm damage, a public adjuster can help you file a claim. A public adjuster is an insurance professional who works on behalf of the insured to ensure that their claims are handled properly. As a result, they are familiar with how to navigate the claims process and can help you get your claim filed quickly and accurately.
Public adjusters also have access to necessary resources like engineering reports, photographs of the damage, and other documents that may be required in order for your case to move forward smoothly. If you hire a public adjuster after a hurricane strikes in South Florida, here's what they'll do:
Helping you understand what type of coverage applies to your property damage or destruction
Helping negotiate with an insurance company on your behalf
Reviewing paperwork from contractors providing estimates for repairs before signing off on them
Looking for a public adjuster that specializes in home insurance claims brought on by weather disasters such as floods and storms? Then Santos Public Adjusters are the perfect fit for anyone living in Miami-Dade and Broward County. Contact us today and see how we can help you.