Louisiana is no stranger to tropical storms. Because New Orleans sits six feet below sea level, the beautiful city is particularly vulnerable to hurricane damage. A hurricane, especially, can separate families, destroy homes, and break lives apart.
You have those and even more reasons to prepare yourself in case of a weather emergency. At The Voorhies Law Firm, we care about our New Orleans neighbors and want you to be safe during a storm. To improve your safety chances, here are four hurricane preparedness tips that may come in handy.
How to Prepare for Hurricane Season
Preparing for a hurricane or tropical storm helps you cover yourself in case of an emergency, even if (hopefully) it doesn’t happen. Follow these steps to bolster your personal and property protection.
Review Your Insurance Policy
Insurance companies are likely to reject your insurance claim if you do not have adequate coverage. Before hurricane season, check your home, renters, or commercial property insurance to see what it covers. You will need to ensure that it accommodates the costs of as much of your personal property as possible.
While calculating your property worth can be tedious and daunting, it improves your chances of obtaining good coverage.
If you find that your current coverage is insufficient, you can adjust your policy with your insurance agent. Also, check to make sure that you have flood insurance and windstorm coverage—preferably before the hurricane season arrives. Many companies pause on selling policies (or adjustments to storm policies) when a storm is on its way.
Stock Up on Supplies
During storms, power lines can break and cell phones can lose reception. You could find yourself stranded in the dark for several hours to several days, depending on how severe the storm is. Try to have at least one gallon of water per person per day and enough nonperishable food for five days set aside.
By that time, search and rescue should be well underway and you may see power returns and community resources coming to your assistance.
Also, be sure you acquire an emergency kit with first aid and rescue necessities. These include:
- Flashlights
- Dust masks
- Local maps
- Whistles
- Necessary medicines
- Manual can openers
- Wrenches or pliers
- A radio, preferably battery-powered or hand-cranked
Pack Your Important Documents
Remember to have your pertinent documents packed in waterproof containers along with your supplies. These documents can help identify you and possibly prevent identity theft after the storm. You will want to safeguard records, such as:
- Birth certificatesf
- Social security cards
- Passports
- Car titles
- Property deeds
- Insurance cards
- Your personal property inventory
Also, keep documents pertinent to your property insurance policy since you’ll need them to back up your insurance claim. A memory card with photos of your personal property also counts toward insurance claim assistance.
Prepare to Evacuate
Sometimes, your city may order an evacuation early on if they suspect the storm will be severe enough to cause major damage. Before leaving, close your storm shutters and try to secure your outside furniture and belongings. You can tie or bolt them down before any storm warning as a precaution.
Plan an exit route, especially if you have a disability or have disabled family members, to help you leave the area faster and keep you from being stuck in evacuation traffic. Please make sure to keep your important documents on your person.
Call Us at The Voorhies Law Firm for Assistance
While we hope the worst does not happen, you’ll do yourself a favor by preparing in advance to be ready in case of an emergency. Staying safe and healthy during a hurricane is your first priority. After that, you can focus on getting back what you have lost.
When you’re ready, our award-winning attorneys at Voorhies Law Firm can help file your insurance claim and dispute any rejected claims. Contact us at 504-875-2223 or via our website for a free initial consultation.
