Insurance Claims
Be Informed. Plan Ahead. Remain Safe.
Hurricane season officially began on June 1st, and at The Morgan Law Group P.A., our Florida insurance claims attorneys want each of our residents to have the information they need to stay safe during weather-related emergencies throughout our state.
Last month we discussed hurricane preparedness checklists that allow our community members to organize their survival needs during hurricane season, which led to our lawyers creating, even more, lists to help our residents remain informed and plan ahead.
We understand that staying safe during our lengthy hurricane season requires consuming a lot of information regarding what to do, and when to do it, which begins with the storm itself, and the difference between the designation of a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning.
Know The Difference Between A Hurricane Watch And Warning In Florida
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the difference between the two designations include:
- Hurricane Watch
Sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher are possible. Hurricane watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the tropical storm-force winds and their anticipated arrival in the area.
- Hurricane Warning
Sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher are expected. Hurricane warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of the tropical storm-force winds and their anticipated arrival in the area.
Because high winds make it incredibly difficult to safeguard your home or business before the hurricane’s arrival, preparation is paramount to successfully enduring the storm.
Preparing Your Home or Business During A Hurricane Watch or Warning
In order to know your community’s risk of hurricanes throughout the season, sign up for your local warning system via email, text message alerts, or by tuning into the Emergency Alert System and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio to receive continuous updates on the storm’s path, as well as emergency alerts.
In addition:
- Create an evacuation or sheltering in place strategy based on your location and community plans. This could include practice runs to shelter locations and evacuation routes, or developing a safe, windowless, low-level interior room in a sturdy building on or near your own property.
- Review our checklist and stock your home with the necessary supplies to get you, your family, and your pets through the storm.
- Keep important identification, documents, and valuables in a safe place.
- Protect your property by decluttering gutters and drains, and installing check valves in plumbing to prevent backups that may occur during flooding.
- If you have hurricane shutters, put them in place to protect your windows and the interior of your home or business. If you do not have shutters, plywood can be used in its place.
If your community is severely threatened, and local officials direct an evacuation, listen to their instructions closely and seek safety.
Now that that hurricane season is here, it is important to review your insurance policies before any storm can threaten your livelihood, so you are aware of the coverage you have, and how your claims will work once the storm has passed. If you have questions about your coverage or are awaiting the compensation you deserve from Hurricane Michael damage from your insurance company, contact our experienced Florida hurricane damage claim attorneys at the Morgan Law Group today by calling (844) 818-0774 to schedule a free consultation.
Stay tuned for our next blog post:
Florida Hurricane Season Is Here: Part Two
What To Do When A Hurricane Is 36 Hours From Landfall
