Hurricane Safety Tips

Hurricane Safety Tips

Staying Safe During Hurricane Season

Hurricanes can cause devastating damage, wreaking havoc on homes and ruining people’s property. Learning about hurricanes – and what to do when they happen – can help keep you and your property better protected when the weather gets bad.

Hurricane Safety Tips

Hurricanes don’t just devastate coastal communities. Oftentimes, these systems move inland as tropical storms or tropical depressions, causing costly damage to properties and serious injuries to people. While you can’t prevent these storms from coming, you can be prepared when they happen. Know what to do if you’re facing a hurricane in your area.

How Do You Know When a Hurricane Is Coming?

Meteorologists and local officials will order a hurricane watch, advisory or warning.

When Is Hurricane Season?

Hurricane season in the U.S. is June 1-November 30, but hurricanes can happen before or after those dates, too.

What’s the Difference Between a Watch, Advisory and Warning?

Watch

A Watch is issued when a weather event may occur, though its specific impact is still unclear. Watches are typically issued hours or days ahead of the event, which is when you should start preparing safety plans.

Advisory

An Advisory is when the weather event is happening or is very likely to happen. Though its impact is expected to be potentially dangerous, an advisory usually means the event will be less extreme than when a warning occurs.

Warning

A Warning means the weather event is happening, is about to happen or is extremely likely to happen. A warning signifies that the storm poses risk to life and property. If there’s a warning, stay inside and adhere to your local safety precautions.

Before a Hurricane

Knowing where to go and what to do before the storm starts can make all the difference.

Create a safety plan and know your evacuation routes.
Locate your local emergency shelters.
Secure your home as best as possible by trimming tree limbs, clearing your gutters, bringing in outside furniture and boarding up windows.
For senior adults or those with disabilities, be sure to set up assistance with someone who can help you.
Be sure you can access emergency alerts if you lose power.
Prepare for potential flooding.
Make sure you have an up-to-date list of everything in your home.

During a Hurricane

Having a plan in place will help you stay safe while you shelter from the worst of the winds and rain.

Follow your local news to know whether to evacuate or shelter in place.
Listen to emergency alerts and adhere to their instructions.
Stay inside and away from windows and doors.
Move to the safest space in your home, like a closet or internal room.
If your home is flooding, go to the highest floor, making sure you have a safe way to escape if needed.
Do not drive unless you’re ordered to evacuate.

After a Hurricane

Make sure you know what to do once it’s over.

Stay away from power lines or other electrical hazards and contact local authorities to report any you see.
Avoid any wet electrical equipment.
Make sure you know what to do if you’re returning to a flooded home.
Vent generators outside to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Assess and document any damage to your home. Get the help you need from your insurance company.

Supporting Customers Through the Storm

Our claims team has the technology and experience to help our customers before, during and after a natural disaster. We track storm systems and emerging risks so we can respond quickly and be there to help.

Here to Help

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We’re here for you 24/7. Start your claim online or reach us at 800-243-5860.