Do you remember the last time a hurricane hit Florida? How can you take emergency managers seriously when the state has not seen a hurricane in over 10 years?
“Having experienced a hurricane drought over the past several years, it is easy to forget how destructive one hurricane can be to your property,” says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent flood insurance provider.
Hurricane season kicks off June 1 and runs through November 30. Weather forecasters believe Florida is long overdue for a storm. 10 years with no major storms has many on edge.
Hurricane Wilma made landfall October 2005 in Collier County with winds up to 120 mph. Several deaths were reported, while one-third of the state lost power. AccuWeather, reports an estimated $29.3 billion worth of damage.
There are growing concerns that Floridians are not preparing for a hurricane with the proper supplies and an evacuation plan. State officials warn of complacency and “hurricane amnesia.”
At the 2016 Governors Hurricane Conference, Florida Division of Emergency Management Director, Bryan Koon reported a “lack of awareness,” especially among the millions of new residents in Florida.
“It is responsible for GreatFlorida Insurance to communicate the risk to the public,” says Buck. People should check their homeowners insurance to make sure policies are up to date and coverage is sufficient.”
Many homeowners are under the false assumption that their homeowners insurance would cover loss caused by a flood in the home. Flood insurance is not included in your homeowners policy and must be purchased separately.
The entire state of Florida lies within FEMA’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) highest designation of storm frequency, making Florida a flood zone with varying levels of risk.
This year NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, predicts a “near normal,” hurricane season. With a 70 percent chance of 10 to 16 named storms, of which four to eight could grow into hurricanes.
The Red Cross recommends keeping a container filled with water, one gallon of water per person, per day, a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery powered or hand crank radio, flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, garbage bags for trash, hand wipes, local maps, prescription medication and a cell phone with a charger, preferably solar.
GreatFlorida Insurance can help protect your home with a Florida flood insurance policy provided by the National Flood Insurance Program. Our homeowners insurance can cover hurricane damage incurred by windstorms. Keep in mind; most homeowners insurance policies do not include flood damage. To learn more about our services, go online for a free quote at www.greatflorida.com.
