With the 2020 Hurricane Season beginning Monday, June 1, Rep. Chip LaMarca reminds Floridians how critical it is to prepare before the next storm. Now is the time to get your home and family ready, before the stores are crowded, and secure adequate insurance coverage. Be sure to follow all COVID-19 guidelines when shopping. Homeowners insurance policies may contain limitations and exclusions, so review policies now to understand coverages.
Rep. Chip LaMarca said, “Experts predict another active hurricane season and here in South Florida we know all too well the impact a storm can have on our homes, lives, and entire community. With storms making landfall in our state multiple years in a row, we must take every step to prepare our homes and finances. With COVID-19 still a threat to public health, now is the time to make sure your home and family are protected. Do not wait until a storm is approaching, and stores are overcrowded, it may be too late.”
The 2020 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins tomorrow, Friday, May 29 and runs until Thursday, June 4. Rep. LaMarca urges residents to take advantage of this tax break and shop now for supplies.
5 Hurricane Preparedness Tips
- Take a Home Inventory. Snap photos or videos of your belongings and take down serial numbers of items. This will help ease the insurance claims process if a storm makes landfall. Email the photos and videos to yourself for easy retrieval later.
- Make Your Disaster Kit. Consider home delivery of supplies this year instead of going to a physical store. Get together enough supplies for 72 hours after a storm including face masks or coverings, hand sanitizer, batteries, flashlights, food, a can opener, water, cell phone chargers, a charged battery pack, battery powered radio, wrench or pliers, pet food and supplies and baby items.
- Get Together Financial Documents. Gather any important financial documents to help make the recovery process a bit easier. Put insurance and financial documents in a plastic bag or waterproof box.
- Get Flood Insurance. Standard homeowners policies don’t cover flood damage. If it rains, it can flood so it’s important to secure coverage. Most flood insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect so it’s important to get it now.
- Check on Evacuation Procedures. Evacuation orders may look a little different this year so be sure to pay attention to new procedures. Be sure to have masks or face coverings in your disaster kit in case you must go to a shelter or evacuate to another area.
For additional hurricane preparedness tips or resources, visit www.floridadisaster.org.
