The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1st and ends on November 30th. Last year’s hurricane season saw some of the worst storms ever recorded, causing devastation across the entire Northern Hemisphere. The 2017 hurricane season wasn’t quite as damaging, but there were still plenty of major storms that struck the United States.
In total, there were 15 depressions, 14 storms, seven hurricanes, and two major hurricanes (above a Category 3 storm). Altogether, 137 fatalities were recorded (3,361 fatalities were recorded in 2017) and $21.57 billion in damage was reported.
Though 2018’s hurricane season hasn’t been as deadly, there were still plenty of serious issues caused by these storms — especially pertaining to flooding. Property owners across the country were left with horrible flood damage, which also left all kinds of molding issues.
According to Farmers Insurance, there has been a 1,100 increase in mold-related insurance claims over the past decade. Since Hurricane Florence, Issac, and similar storms caused so many flooding issues, there will likely be a significant spike in structural mold claims in the near future.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), state officials are cautioning property owners to be mindful of all the hazards associated with mold and other contaminants that could be present inside homes and structures.
Additionally, there are all kinds of problems that you and your family could end up dealing with during the aftermath of a serious storm. That’s why you need to focus on hurricane prepping. There are so many things that you and your family need to be aware of in order to minimize damage and prepare for the next major storm approaching. Here are some great tips for preparing for a hurricane:
- Plan for evacuation — Sadly, sometimes a storm is so dangerous, there is nothing that you can do to salvage 100% of your property. If you’re being warned by your local government to evacuate as a storm is approaching, you and your family need to listen and get out while there is still time. It’s recommended to check your city or county website every 30 minutes for updates to find out whether you’re being told to evacuate or not. Grab all your essential belongings and get to a safe place. Additionally, it’s best to let someone know when you leave your home and when you’re projected to arrive at the next location so someone knows you’re all safe.
“Some people will actually test the evacuation route in good weather,” said Dan Kottlowski, AccuWeather Hurricane Expert. “Waiting until the day of the hurricane isn’t a smart idea since everyone will be in a heightened state of anxiety.” - Purchase important supplies — Whether you have to evacuate or not, you should make sure that both your home and your vehicle is fully equipped with all the essential hurricane supplies. If you wait until the hurricane is approaching your home, you’re going to end up having to rush to a convenience store and wait in long lines. So get blankets, clothing, food, water, batteries, and everything else you need well in advance.
