Insights

As hurricanes evolve, there are steps you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe and minimize damage to your property.

Before a Hurricane

Protect Your Family

Make sure you have access to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio broadcasts:

• Find a NOAA radio station online.
• Search for a NOAA radio app in the Apple Store or on Google Play.
• Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA radio.

Prepared to Evacuate Quickly

Follow all emergency mandates, including evacuation orders. Locate a local emergency shelter ahead of time and know your routes and safe destinations. Pack a safety kit with basic requirements such as:

• Supplies of food, water, necessary medications and cash (should power outages interfere with electronic transactions).
• Extra clothing in case you must evacuate.
• Flashlights, cell phones, charging options, portable radios and extra batteries.
• A first aid kit.

Protect Your Home

• Cover windows with permanent storm shutters or invest in one-half inch marine plywood that is pre-cut to fit your doors and windows.
• Identify a place to store lawn furniture, toys, gardening tools and trash cans that is away from stairs and exits to prevent them from being moved by high winds and possibly hurting someone.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts to prevent flooding and unnecessary pressure on your awnings.
• Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home.
• Turn off utilities (if told to do so by authorities) to prevent damage to your home or within the community. If you shut off your gas, a professional is required to turn it back on.
• Unplug small appliances to reduce potential damage from possible power surges.
• Keep all vehicles well-fueled in case of evacuation, as power failures render gas pumps inoperable.
• Keep insurance policies, documents and other valuables in a safe-deposit box; you may need quick, easy access to these documents. Keep them in a safe place less likely to be damaged if a hurricane causes flooding.
• Take a few minutes to document the contents of your home with digital pictures or video and create a room-by-room inventory list, if possible.

During a Hurricane

• Use flashlights in the dark if the power goes out (do NOT use candles).
• Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
• Avoid contact with floodwater — it may be contaminated with sewage or contain dangerous insects or animals.
• Turn off the power and water mains if instructed to do so by local authorities.

After a Hurricane

Follow Safety Guidelines After the Storm has Passed

• If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Please keep all receipts for out-of-pocket expenses.
• Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.

Return Home Safely

• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines. Report them to the power company immediately.
• Inspect your home's structure and utilities and systems after a hurricane.
• Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.
• Make sure you have flashlights, cell phones, charging options, portable radios and extra batteries and a first aid kit.

Notify your NFP representative right away if you believe you will have a claim to file.