Hurricane Preparedness Resources
In real estate like life, there is no harm in hoping for the best as long as you are prepared for the worst. Afterall, it wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark!
All kidding aside, Irma, like her predecessors, Ivan, Frances, Jeanne, Charley & Andrew (and hundreds of others over the years) are one of nature’s most powerful and destructive natural disasters & much like the economic collapses we've endured, It only takes one to change your business and your life. In fact we rarely need to feel or endure the "brunt" of the event to be reminded that significant impacts can occur.
Over the years we've learned a thing or two about protecting our investments and have put the appropriate emergency plans in place. Often times that means making sure that all important paperwork has been collected and stored. Here's a few things you should make sure to collect and store:
- Insurance Binders
- Pictures/Video of current property condition
- If you own a rental property have a copy of the renters insurance policy
- Title/Deeds
- Copy of Lease
- Digital copies of any loan documents
Remember if you don't have a waterproof safe, store all important documents in your dishwasher! (but you may want to remove the dirty dishes first)
1. Wind
High winds: The best way to reduce the risk of damage to a structure from hurricane winds is to reinforce or strengthen the building including doors, windows, walls, and roofs. The best way to protect yourself is to consider either constructing a safe room that meets FEMA criteria or a storm shelter that meets ICC 500 criteria.
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Hurricane Tips Provided by FEMA.gov
Don't Delay in preparing for the storm. Protect your investments now!
2. Wind Borne Debris
Bring loose, lightweight objects (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans, and bicycles) inside; anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., gas grills and propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on buildings.​​​​​​​
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3. Flood Insurance
Most property insurance policies do not cover flood losses, so you will need to purchase separate flood insurance if your property is at risk for flooding. Talk to your insurance agent about buying flood insurance. Flood insurance is available for homeowners, renters, and business owners through the National Flood Insurance Program in participating communities.