Preparing for the 2019 Hurricane Season
NOAA predicts a near-normal year
The 2019 hurricane season has officially begun and will last until November 30.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a near-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic this year. However, storms can happen at any time, and it’s always a good idea to be prepared. The first named storm of the season, Andrea, decided to show up a few days early, and thankfully dissipated quickly.
NOAA defines near-normal as 9-15 named storms (39 – 73 mph wind speed), 4-8 hurricanes (74 – 110 mph wind speed) and 2-4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 with 111+ mph wind speed).
According to NOAA, the current El Nino will help to suppress the intensity of the hurricane season, but warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures and African monsoons may increase this year’s hurricane activity.
Tips to keep you, your family and your
customers safe this hurricane season
• Create an emergency communication plan with your family before a hurricane
• Be aware of emergency alerts and warnings and how to share them with everyone in your household
• Know your evacuation route and where temporary shelters may be set up to serve your area
• Create a plan to let friends and family outside of the area know you’re safe or that you need help
• Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, and in the car. Below is a basic kit; you should also think about your pets and any medication you may need. For a full list of ideas, visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
• Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
• Schedule a home or small commercial insurance review with your customers to review their current coverage versus what they may need to be better covered for disaster; encourage everyone to consider purchasing flood insurance as most homeowners and commercial policies exclude flood.
For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricane-toolkit.
This info was from my friends at Velocity Risk Underwriters
