Preparing for a Hurricane - The Andover Companies

Many people’s favorite season—summer—officially kicks off in June. Unfortunately, this time of year also signals the start of hurricane season. According to The National Weather Service, the peak season for tropical storms and hurricanes runs from June through November. So, during the summer months (and beyond), homeowners along the Northeastern seaboard need to have their radar up for weather systems that could damage their properties. In addition, there are things a homeowner can do today to prepare their home and family for the possibility of a major storm, and potentially minimize the risk of any related property losses.

The Andover Companies has created a downloadable information sheet that offers several hurricane preparedness tips, including:

4 preventive actions to take around your property. From installing hurricane-resistant doors to cutting back tree limbs that are too close to your home, taking these steps now may help minimize damage to your home from high winds, heavy rain, tornados, and other unpredictable summer weather patterns.
14 key household and safety items to stock up on. Building a hurricane emergency kit with essential supplies like water, nonperishable foods, toilet paper, and more may mean you and your family avoid the mad rush to the store when the forecast looks threatening.

Taking preventive steps, like securing critical areas of your property and putting together an emergency kit, are invaluable ways to prepare for a hurricane or other severe weather that might come your way this summer. However, if a storm is predicted, it is also critical to stay informed by regularly checking the forecast to learn if the risk of severe weather in your area is increasing. Your local news channels are generally the best source for getting frequent updates on the path and severity of a storm. In addition, you may want to investigate how your community sends weather emergency warnings. For example, some cities and towns use outdoor sirens, while others depend on traditional media alerts. You may even be able to sign up for storm alerts via messages to your digital devices.

Once a storm has passed and it’s been deemed safe to go outside, we recommend homeowners look around their property for any signs of storm-related damage. If any issues are discovered, they should be reported to your independent insurance agent, who can help you gather the details needed to initiate the claims process.

Of course, natural disasters are not just a summer phenomenon; dangerous storms can happen throughout the year. If you would like more information on safeguarding your property from weather-related situations throughout the year, please check out other helpful tips on our blog. You will find recommendations for preparing your home for winter weather, preventing freezing pipes, and performing annual spring home maintenance. At The Andover Companies, we are dedicated to helping you take exceptional care of one of your most essential investments.