Hurricane Florence: Preparedness Kit To Pack, Insurance Info

MARYLAND — With hurricane season reaching its peak and Hurricane Florence barreling toward the Mid-Atlantic, it's vital for Maryland homeowners to take steps to prepare. And while it's important to protect the home against damage, it's also pertinent to take preemptive steps before the storm even makes landfall.

AAA and the Maryland Insurance Administration have issued a number of tips that, in the event of property damage, could make rebuilding much easier.

“Now is the time to prepare for the potential impact of Hurricane Florence,” said John B. Townsend II, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic on Monday. “The best way to prepare is to prepare for the worst case scenario with enough essential supplies for at least three days and an emergency communications plan that has been practiced with every member of the household.”

(Stay on top of all the latest Hurricane Florence news with our free, real-time news alerts, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Whether evacuating or riding out the storm at home, residents in the hurricane's path should follow these tips to prepare for the storm.

1. Read your insurance policy carefully and fully understand what is and isn't covered by your policy. Learn what deductibles might apply to your belongings.
2. Make sure you have sufficient coverage to repair or rebuild your home if it sustains major damage or is destroyed.
3. Consider purchasing flood insurance. Most policies do not cover damage caused by flooding.
4. Make an inventory of your personal property and keep that listing in a safe place away from your home, such as a safe deposit box or trusted family member's home.
5. Use application MyHOME Scr.APP.book (available on iTunes and Google Play) to take inventory of your belongings.
6. Have contact information for insurance company and agent on hand, along with your policy number and other pertinent information.

AAA also recommends precautionary measures for homeowners and renters, including preparing an emergency kit with batteries, water and non-perishable food.

• Sign up for emergency weather alerts via email or text (e.g. National Weather Service).
• Stock an emergency kit for you and your family for at least several days (battery-operated/hand-cranked radio, flashlight, and a phone that isn’t dependent on electricity; extra batteries, cell phone chargers, first aid supplies and medications; water supply, non-perishable food and a manual can opener on hand).
• Update your home inventory, on paper or with a camera or smartphone. Note the replacement costs for your most valuable items, then talk to your insurance agent or insurance customer service to be sure you have the right coverage.
• Don’t forget your pets. Have a secure location for your pet and an emergency supply kit, as well as medical records and medication.

If you're traveling through the path of the storm, AAA recommends following a list of recommendations.

• Contact your travel agent – they will have access to the latest travel updates/cancellations and can help you explore all of the options available to you.
• Investigate cancellation/rebooking options now. (Plan ahead, understand the situation may change quickly as the storm approaches.)
• Understand cancellation requirements and penalties if applicable.
• Know what coverage any purchased travel insurance does/does not provide.
• Continuously monitor the situation as things can change quickly and dramatically.

Before the Storm

While making sure your home is covered for storm damage is important, keeping yourself and your family safe during a storm is more important.

The following emergency supplies should always be kept on hand:

• Canned food items and bottled water
• Flashlights with extra batteries
• A battery-operated radio
• Sheets and blankets
• Essential prescription medications
• Emergency cash
• Stock a cooler with ice
• Keep the freezer door closed as long as possible
• Keep what cold air you have inside the freezer – do not open the door any more than necessary. A full freezer should stay at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about one day. If your freezer is not full, group packages so they form an "igloo" to protect each other.

An emergency evacuation plan should be in place for every member of the household. Identify the nearest storm shelter, and suggest a meeting point should family members get separated.

Brace Your Home for Storm Damage

There are some basic things you can do to protect your home from storm damage. Install storm shutters or cover windows to prevent window breakage. Check for loose siding on your home and secure it if necessary. If you need to evacuate, turn off all your utilities and disconnect any electrical item in your home. Water and electricity don't mix, so any device left connected is a potential fire hazard.

Virginia Natural Gas also recommends taking a few further steps toward protecting your home from serious damage to electrical and gas service. Before the storm arrives, gas and electrical customers should prepare the home to make evacuation easy.

• Keep your gas service on during the storm. Most modern appliances have safety valves that automatically shut off the flow of gas if appliances flood or gas pressure drops.
• Leaving the appliance operational could prevent further damage of water getting into the customer’s fuel line or appliance control valves.
• Electronic ignition appliances will not come if a power source isn't available.
• Lower the temperature on the central heat at the thermostat and turn the water heater to its lowest hot water setting.
• If you are uncomfortable leaving your appliances operational, contact a trained professional (certified plumber or HVAC rep) to shut off your appliances at the cutoff valves. When it is safe to do so, have them return to turn the valves back on, leak test the line and turn on and test the appliance for safe operation.
• If flooding occurs at a residence or business and the gas appliances are under water, customers are advised not to operate their appliances until a safety inspection is conducted by a certified plumber or HVAC representative.

Detecting Gas Leaks

• If you smell the distinctive rotten-egg odor associated with natural gas, leave the area immediately and move a safe distance away from the potential leak, while avoiding any action that may cause sparks.
• Never try to identify the source of a leak or stop the leak yourself.
• Avoid using any sources of ignition, including cell phones, cigarettes, matches, flashlights, electronic devices, motorized vehicles, light switches or landlines, as natural gas can ignite from a spark, possibly causing a fire or explosion.
• Call the Virginia Natural Gas 24-hour emergency response line at 1-877-572-3342 or 911 once you are in a safe place out of the area of the suspected leak. You should also stay away until Virginia Natural Gas or emergency personnel indicates it is safe to return.

Damage Prevention

• Strong winds and saturated ground could cause trees to become uprooted. Before removing downed trees, customers should contact VA811 by calling 811 to have the location of underground utility lines marked because downed trees could become tangled with the natural gas lines.
• If a natural gas meter is damaged or natural gas line is exposed, customers should immediately leave the area and call the Virginia Natural Gas 24-hour emergency response line at 1-877-572-3342 or 911 from a safe location.

Meter Safety

• Customers are encouraged to know where to locate their natural gas meter.
• Following a weather emergency, customers should ensure the natural gas meter is visible, and the area surrounding the meter is free of trash and debris. Mechanical equipment used after the storm to clean up a location may damage the meter if it is hidden.
• If a natural gas meter is damaged or an underground gas line is exposed, customers should immediately leave the area, and call the Virginia Natural Gas 24-hour emergency response line at 1-877-572-3342 or 911 from a safe location.

Natural Gas Generators

• During a power outage, natural gas generators provide continuous fuel supply from an existing natural gas line. While these units are available in a range of sizes to meet various energy needs, customers are encouraged to contact Virginia Natural Gas prior to purchase and installation to determine whether their service line and meter meets load requirements for the generator’s safe and efficient operation.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

• To ensure the safe, proper operation of natural gas appliances, such as a furnace and water heater, and to prevent the potentially hazardous buildup of carbon monoxide within your home or business, ensure that outdoor vent openings and air intakes are not obstructed.
• If customers smell natural gas or suspect carbon monoxide is present in their home or business, they should immediately leave the area and call the Virginia Natural Gas 24-hour emergency response line at 1-877-572-3342 or 911 from a safe location.
• Residents are encouraged to seek medical attention immediately if anyone in their home or business experiences possible symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which include headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

After the Storm, photograph and document the damage. With storm damage to your home you will need to file a claim with your insurance company — do so as soon as possible. The earlier you file a home insurance claim, the faster it will be processed. Also, you may be required to file your claim within a certain time frame, so don’t delay. Incomplete or inaccurate information can result in a delayed claim, so make sure you have all necessary paperwork in-hand when contacting your home insurance company.

You may need to make minor repairs to storm damage that will prevent further damage to your home, like fixing broken windows or make temporary repairs to protect your property if possible. For permanent storm damage repairs, wait until your insurance company has examined the property. If you have storm damaged property, do not throw it away until the claims adjuster inspects it.

If the temporary repairs are made prior to a claims adjuster inspecting your home, be sure to save your receipts and keep a record of all of your temporary repair expenses.If possible, move your property to protect it from further damage. If you are unable to move large belongings, try to protect them from the elements using a tarp or plastic.

More information is available on the Maryland Insurance Administration's website.

PHOTOS: This NOAA satellite image shows Hurricane Florence as it travels west and gains strength in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Bermuda on September 10, 2018. Weather predictions say the storm will likely hit the U.S. East Coast as early as Thursday, September 13 bringing massive winds and rain. (Photo by NOAA via Getty Images)