Last week’s storm hit our beach cities hard. In fact, our most recent nor’easter completely changed the shoreline in North Wildwood. But that’s life at the Jersey Shore, right? This made me think that it might be a good time to review your flood insurance policy and maybe give you a few flood safety tips to keep in mind when the next big storm hits.
Flood Safety Tips & Insurance Info
Flood Safety Tips
First and foremost, when you hear an evacuation order given for your area, heed the warning. Grab your loved ones and get the heck outta Dodge. Just make sure you turn off all utilities at their main connections first. Your property can be replaced. You and your loved ones cannot.
As soon as you know about a storm coming to your area, bring your outdoor furniture and other outdoor possessions inside (into the garage or home). If you have no room inside, tie everything down, anchoring each item to your home or deck wherever possible. At the very least, bring cushions, plants, and other decorations inside. Fill up your gas tank. Put an emergency kit of nonperishable food, a can opener, water, medicine, first aid kit, and clothing in your car in case you need to make a quick getaway. Don’t forget the pet food for Fido or Fluffy, too. Move your vehicle to higher ground if needed.
When you leave your Jersey Shore home during a storm, you need to follow these flood safety tips. Do not walk through flowing water. Even if it looks like a gentle stream, the undercurrent may knock you down and send you down the road. Avoid injury by avoiding flowing water. Never drive through a flooded area. It might appear shallow. But you never know how deep it really is. And it does not take much water to pick up your vehicle and carry it away. Next to drowning, electrocution ranks highest among injuries during a flood. So, stay away from downed power lines as well as electrical wires.
Flood Insurance Info
A while back, I wrote about private market flood insurance. Now feels like the perfect time to revisit this information. I strongly urge you to take a look at your current policy. Then, contact a company like Heist Insurance to go over it and make sure you are up-to-date with your coverage. Do this now so you are prepared for the next storm or other water-related emergency. Remember, flooding can happen inside your home at any time.
Sherri Lilienfeld, Apex Prime Realty, Your Source for Jersey Shore Real Estate