Hurricane season is upon us. We hope they miss us – sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. The last one to do significant and lasting damage to the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach area was Hurricane Florence, September 14, 2018. Personally, I know someone who lost the roof on her home and spent the next year rebuilding.
That’s not meant to promote fear. It doesn’t happen often and most of the time damage is minimal to nothing. However, it does happen, and the key to coming out ahead is preparation, communication, and listening to the guidance of local authorities.
Having insurance in place prior to a storm, if you plan to or are required by your lender to have insurance, is key. Once a named storm is headed our way, insurance companies will stop writing policies at a certain point. Also, understanding what coverage you have is imperative. Another post to that effect will be coming soon.
For some storms, local authorities will issue mandatory evacuations for residents at different levels. They cannot force you to leave, but cooperation is highly encouraged. They may not have the resources to rescue you if necessary, and if you have an unexpected medical event, they cannot guarantee emergency medical services. In addition, you may be putting an unnecessary strain on resources if you do stay.
I know as a longtime local of the coast, it sometimes feels unnecessary to leave, even when mandatory evacuations are issued. You get used to the hurricanes, and uprooting your family for an indefinite few days is very disruptive and can be an expensive nuisance. That said, it is a part of living on the coast and riding out a hurricane that turns bad may be an unnecessary risk you may regret. Making a plan for yourself, your family, and any pets, that you feel comfortable with, should help you feel a lot less uncertain.
Below is a link to an article from the CDC that outlines steps you can take to be prepared. Just remember to make a plan and communicate it to everyone in your family. There is no need to live in fear, just to be prepared.
Buy
success stories
Sell
