So far, we’ve had a quiet–non-existent–hurricane season in Monroe County. While it’s unlikely that we’ll see a storm in the next few weeks, Mother Nature does what she wants, so stay prepared!
The end of the hurricane season is a good time to check and restock your hurricane kit, document any upgrades made during the year, and review your coverage, especially the windstorm deductible, to ensure it is adequate and reflects your home’s current value.Â
If you’ve stored food, check the expiration dates. If items won’t be good by the time the next season rolls around, pull them from your kit and use or donate them. Same for any batteries, take them out and use them now. You can replace with fresh ones next year.
Reassess your preparedness plans and note if you want to do things differently next year. For example, did you have any issues with keeping adequate supplies on hand? Was there something you needed but didn’t have this year? Make sure it’s on your list for next year and plan to buy supplies during the hurricane sales tax holiday. There may be other areas you can improve on, including evacuation routes, how you plan to communicate with those you love in the event of an emergency or should you get separated, and much more.
It’s never too early to fortify your home against hurricanes and tropical storms. If you’re thinking about installing impact doors and windows, upgrading your roof or taking any mitigation steps, check with your insurance agent for possible credits that can be applied to your policy.