As authorities watched Depression 5 scoot past the southwest tip of Florida this week, it became clear to our Miami insurance claims attorneys that we were going to miss the bulk of the threat, even if the storm gathered strength and became a named storm.
As we reported on our Florida Insurance Lawyer Blog, a storm must reach winds of 74 mph to reach hurricane strength and are then rated Category 1 through 5 depending on wind speed.
This week’s storm motored past at 30 mph, not enough to even earn its name; depressions become named tropical storms upon reaching 39 mph. While it looked formidable enough to chase the BP crews out of the Gulf, it had trouble organizing and finally dissipated late Thursday night.
But it serves as a reminder that South Florida is in the very height of hurricane season. From now through November, the chances are good that the area will be threatened by named tropical storms or hurricanes. Even a tropical depression can cause wind and water damage while serving as a health reminder that the time to prepare is now, before a serious storm is eminent.
For those who always seem too busy to prepare, our Miami storm damage attorneys recommend readying you and your family in several stages.
Always
-Know and understand your insurance policy, including your exposure to deductibles.
-Keep your important paperwork in water-proof storage containers
-Keep several plastic totes with the following items inside (and clearly marked in a checklist on the outside): manual can opener, disposable plates, silverware and cups, first aid kit, flashlights, battery-operated radio.
Start of hurricane season
-Purchase fresh batteries for radios and flashlights
-Ensure fresh gas is available for the generator and gas grill and that both are in good repair.
-Purchase fresh bottled water (at least 7 gallons per person — a gallon a day for a week). Buying 20 oz bottles will allow the water to be used at the beach or around the pool after hurricane season.
Hurricane Watch
If you have followed the instructions above, this will be your serious hurricane preparation and it should be pretty simple:
-Fill cars with gas.
-Go grocery shopping
-Gather specialty items, including pet care and child care items.
-Charge cell phones
-Gather rain gear, toys, books and games
-Ensure you have cash on hand to last several weeks
Hurricane Warning
This means a hurricane is going to strike the area.
-Install storm shutters
-Remove patio furniture and other loose items, including planters, from the exterior of your home
-Ensure you have emergency contact information, including the location of the nearest shelter
-Listen to official instructions or advisories
If you are facing a dispute over an insurance claim in Florida, contact Alvarez & Barbara, LLP toll free at 866-518-2913 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.