Hurricane Season Is Starting. Let's Get Ready.
June marks the beginning of South Carolina's 2022 hurricane season, and a busier-than-average season is once again in our forecast.
Typically, around 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes are tracked in a season. This year, however, scientists at Colorado State University predict at least 19 named storms and nine hurricanes, with four of them being Category 3 or higher.
2021 ended up being the third most active hurricane season on record, with 21 named storms, seven hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. Strong winds, flying debris, and severe flooding from these storms caused billions in damage to homes and properties throughout the coastal US.
As always, the best time to prepare for a storm is before it strikes! We strongly recommend your family gets prepared now for the increased chance of dangerous weather ahead.
Hurricane Readiness Kit:
Prepare an evacuation plan.
Decide now where your family will evacuate in the event of a major storm. Map the routes and keep them handy, and communicate this plan to family members in case you can't reach one another, or you get separated.
Prepare supplies and a go-kit.
Preparing for the storm includes what happens afterward. You need at least 3 days of supplies in case electricity and water are out for an extended period. Preparing a kit with necessary items that are easy to grab in case of evacuation is critical. Consider including in your hurricane kit things like spare keys, cash, medications (a two-week supply), chargers and batteries, important documents, hygiene items, a battery-operated radio, flashlight, and rain gear.
Get organized now.
In a disaster situation, it helps enormously if you get organized and prepared well in advance so you don't forget anything. There are great checklists and planning tools out there like Ready.gov, The American Red Cross, and Hurricane.sc to help you plan.
Take threats seriously.
Storms are getting larger and more powerful, so it is important to treat incoming storms seriously. If an evacuation order is made, follow recommendations to get your family to safety.
Protect your home with an insurance check-up.
We are here to help you navigate damage caused by weather events, including storms, hurricanes, and flooding. Most standard home insurance policies don't cover flooding. If you want to add flood coverage, you should do it now, well ahead of a big storm comes. Ask your LW Short insurance agent to check that your policies are up to date and able to cover any repairs caused by storms!
Is your home & family ready in case of an emergency?
Let us review your coverage before it's too late! Contact your agents at LW Short Insurance to schedule a policy review so we can keep your family above water during hurricane season and all year long!
