September Is National Preparedness Month

But for an estimated 40% of Americans, according to a recent poll, emergency planning is not something they’ve addressed.

It’s for reasons like these that September is National Preparedness Month. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, this annual awareness period is meant to teach families about the importance of always being ready for the unexpected, because while forecasters are able to provide predictions about environmental disasters, weather remains an inexact science, thus is capable of creating massive disasters that can be devastating when the proper precautions haven’t been taken.

This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.” Each week in September centers on one of the four types of environmental hazards that are responsible for significant damage to property and, in some cases, the loss of life: Flood, wildfire, hurricanes and power outages.

1. Flood
Flooding is unique in that with virtually every type of natural disaster, flooding can occur. This may explain why it has long been the No. 1 natural disaster in the United States, according to FEMA. In fact, in the last five years, every state has experienced flooding that’s been substantial enough to lead to homeowners or business insurancelosses. Fortunately, flood insurance helps provide for damage caused by high water levels, but it’s important to remember that this kind of coverage is its own entity, meaning it’s not part of a standard home insurance policy.

2. Wildfire
Due to dry conditions, wildfire is a prevalent threat every summer. This year has been no exception. Through the first eight months of 2015, more than 63,300 wildfires have burned, covering 3.6 million acres, based on statistics collected by the Insurance Information Institute. Though wildfires historically have primarily affected the West Coast, they can happen anywhere.

3. Hurricane
We’re currently experiencing one of the longest major hurricane droughts on record. As noted recently by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a Category 3 hurricane - which produces sustained wind gusts of at least 111 miles per hour - has not made landfall in 118 months. Climatologists worry that this may lead to “hurricane amnesia” - forgetting the type of damage that these types of storms can wreak. But all one has to do is think back to Hurricane Katrina - which hit the Gulf Coast 10 years ago - and it’s easy to remember the type of destruction and devastation a hurricane can cause.

4. Electricity outage
When power outages are short in duration, they’re an inconvenient nuisance. But the long duration ones can be serious, especially during the cold weather months. If it seems like they occur more than they have in the past, it’s not your imagination. From 2010 to 2013, there were an average of 200 outages per year, up from 44 per year between 2000 to 2004, according to Inside Energy.

One of the best ways to prepare for an outage is by investing in a generator. Generators, which run on gasoline, can electrify outlets and utilities that families need whenever the power is out, whether for a short or protracted period of time.

Ready.gov, which is maintained by FEMA, is a great website to turn to in order to prepare during National Preparedness Month. For an emergency plan to be truly effective, homeowners insurance is necessary as well. For more information on coverage, speak with your local Selective agent.

For information and quotes on insurance coverage, please The Insurance Centers site. Or contact Zita Santos-Martinez at 732-832-4132.

Photo and article courtesy of Selective Insurance Group, Inc.