(Port St. Lucie, FL) - "Each year at this time I like to warn the public against 'Hurricane Amnesia,' says Kathy Post, Agent and Owner of Post Insurance & Financial, Inc. "It's easy to become complacent and forget the horrific damage that can occur from a hurricane," says Post. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.
"As a 3rd generation Florida native we've experienced our share of storms," says Post. "We have a large, clear plastic storage box with all of our hurricane supplies in it. When it's not hurricane season, I just store it in the garage. Then each June I bring it in and review what's in the box. I add new cans of food, replace batteries, and update any shelter maps to it. For the remainder of Hurricane Season I keep it stored in the laundry room so it's easily accessible and everyone in the family knows where it is."
Post also recommends a hurricane box for business owners. "After Francis and Jeanne hit, we were quickly able to help our customers. But we realized there were some critical items we should have from an operations standpoint in case our building is ever destroyed," states Post. "That box holds our Disaster Manual, Emergency Contact information for our vendorsand our employees, Copies of important business licenses, Equipment Inventory list, our Insurance Policy, and pre-printed Paper Signs to post at our site to communicate with our customers and employees. We've also assembled basic supplies such as notepads, scissors, duct tape, permanent markers and flashlights." Post says, "We've made 2 identical hurricane boxes and we keep them off-site in 2 separate places."
Post regularly holds information sessions with local Home and Condo Owner Associations. There's also a wealth of information on their website at
www.InsurewithPost.com. Post says, "We do as much as we can to help our clients - both homeowners and business owners - to prepare for a storm." Here are the Top 13 things you should do now to prepare.
13 Things You Can Do Now...
1. Prepare or Re-stock your disaster supply kit including:
- A three-day supply of water and ready-to-eat non-perishable foods per person.
- Manual can opener.
- Paper plates, cups and disposable utensils.
- Personal hygiene items such as toilet paper, towelettes, feminine supplies, soap, and detergent.
- Change of clothing, including extra shoes or work boots and rain gear.
- Blankets and/or sleeping bags (one for each family member).
- Special needs items for each family member such as baby supplies, eyeglasses/contact lenses, medications.
- Cash
2. Organize important paperwork in waterproof, easily transportable containers. Include financial information, important phone numbers, wills, insurance policies, immunization records and passports. Plan to take these with you if evacuated.
3. Prepare an inventory of your personal property and videotape your household contents for record purposes.Keep them in a safety deposit box or another safe place, other than in your home.
4. Teach family members when and how to safely shut off utilities.
5. Keep dead or weak branches trimmed regularly from trees and do not attempt to cut if a storm is coming.
6. Review your insurance policies to ensure you have adequate coverage.
7. Consider purchasing flood insurance, even if you don't live in a flood hazard zone. Regular homeowner's policies usually do not cover flood damage. So, plan ahead because flood policies have a 30-day waiting period prior to being effective.
8. Get familiar with your community's disaster preparedness plan and develop a family disaster response plan.
9. Contact your local American Red Cross Chapter or Emergency Management Agency for a community evacuation route map and a list of nearby shelters.
10. Assure that emergency lights and flashlights are in proper working order.
11. Keep portable and battery-operated weather radios with extra batteries readily available.
12. Keep several flashlights and extra batteries easily accessible.
13. Assemble a first-aid kit - include medications such as aspirin, non-aspirin pain reliever, antacid and anti-diarrhea medication. Also include bandages, gauze, scissors, safety pins and sunscreen.
"We all hope for a quiet Hurricane Season this year," says Post. "But prepare early because it's always better to be safe than sorry."
Founded in 1979, Post Insurance is a local agency serving the Treasure Coast for almost 30 years. They are a team of professionals who understand the complexities of insurance but explain it to customers in 'plain old English.' They offer home, auto, business, and life insurance and are located in St. Lucie West. The agency is open from Monday through Friday, 8:30 - 5:00, but customers can request quotes 24/7 on their website at www.InsurewithPost.com.
This article is provided as a courtesy of Agent Kathy Post and is for informational purposes only. For information on your specific insurance needs or situations, please contact your insurance agent or you can email her at info@insurewithpost.com.