As Floridians, hurricane season comes with the territory, and as Pensacolians we’ve seen our fair share of storms over the years. If you’re new here, you should know that it’s never a bad time to prepare. With Hurricane Francine making landfall in Louisiana in the next 24 hours and the height of storm season approaching, The Zimmern Team left us with some small steps that can make a big difference in protecting your home.
Hurricanes can be mild to catastrophic, and can cause damage through storm surges (rising sea levels), high winds, and heavy rains, which can lead to flooding and landslides. They are especially bad if you live in a flood zone.
We measure hurricane severity based on wind speeds using the Saffir-Simpson scale. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Category 1: 74-95 mph (minor damage)
- Category 2: 96-110 mph (moderate damage)
- Category 3: 111-129 mph (major damage)
- Category 4: 130-156 mph (severe damage)
- Category 5: 157 mph and higher (catastrophic damage)
Here are six cost effective improvements you can do to help your home during storms all season long:
1) Use caulk to seal your windows and doors. Even a tiny opening or crack can let in a lot of rain or wind and lead to expensive damage. Wind, wind-driven water and flood are the three most common hurricane-related causes of losses to homes.
2) Examine the outside of your house. Look for things that can cause damage, such as dead tree limbs, sagging or clogged gutters, or patio furniture and toys that can become projectiles in a windstorm.
3) Install detection and security devices. Some of the most expensive insurance claims are for water damage, whether from a storm or burst pipes. A leak detection device can either alert you to leaks or shut off the water.
4) Make a video of home inventory. One of the best things you can do ahead of time to help an insurance claim go smoothly is to have a home inventory.
5) Do a home insurance check-up and fill in gaps. Make sure your home insurance is up to date and covers any home improvements and special items, such as jewelry, antiques and artwork.
6) Be prepared for out-of-pocket costs. For example, homeowners insurance policies generally have limited coverage for tree removal and you could end up with large out-of-pocket costs including your deductible.
Preparing your home for a hurricane is essential for protecting not only your property but also your peace of mind. You’ve worked hard for that home, and The Zimmern Team wants to make sure we did our due diligence in making sure you’ve taken at least some small, but effective steps to protect it.
In Escambia County, you may access emergency storm tips, guides, and information here. And in Santa Rosa County, click here for more.
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