Here in the Triangle area of North Carolina, we are far from the ocean and safe from the storm surge that causes so much devastation at the coast during a hurricane. But we can still expect high winds, heavy rainfall, saturated ground, rising water, and flooding – as well as toppled trees and power outages. You should already have an emergency preparedness to-do list. If you haven’t already done so, you should add insurance claim preparation to your list.
To support the potential need for an insurance claim for storm related damage – do this: long before the storm arrives, you should take cell phone photos or video of your home, room by room, to include all belongings and the condition of your home. This will be key if there is a need to file an insurance claim. Once you have taken the video or photos, makes sure you have uploaded them to the cloud so you can access them even if you lose everything. Here is more information about how to do this:
In addition, every home should have a basic emergency supply kit – here is a list of suggested items for yours:
- 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day for 3 to 5 days.
- Fill a bathtub with water for sanitation. (seal the drain with duct tape prior to filling so it won’t slowly leak)
- A 3-day supply of non-perishable food.
- Manual can opener for food.
- Battery-powered or hand cranked radio.
- A NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
- Flashlights with extra batteries.
- First aid kit.
- Cell phones with chargers and backup batteries.
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape to make emergency repairs and shelter in place
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- A tool kit to turn off utilities
- Local maps and a whistle to signal for help
- If you are knowledgeable in how to use one – a chain-saw and fuel.
- If you have an outdoor gas grill – a spare can of propane.
