by Brianna Crandall — April 20, 2015—Colorado State University released last week its 2015 Atlantic hurricane season prediction, which forecasts below-average hurricane activity, with seven named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane. While this is good news, the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) reminds residents it only takes one storm to devastate a community, a state or an entire region.
“IBHS hopes no hurricanes or tropical storms will make landfall in the U.S. this year, but we must do more than hope, we must prepare,” said Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO. “Experience shows that punishing hurricanes still occur during below-average seasons. Hurricane Andrew, which is the second most costly hurricane in U.S. history, and the first storm in 1992, devastated South Florida during a relatively quiet season.”
IBHS urges residents to be prepared, and to start their hurricane home and business protection efforts now. Three important areas to focus on to protect a residential or commercial property against the high winds and wind-driven rain from hurricanes are the building’s roof, openings (windows and doors), and outdoor surroundings.
IBHS’s recommended property protection actions
1) Strengthen the roof
The roof is a building’s first line of defense, making it the most important and most vulnerable point on a home or commercial building. Roof cover damage occurs in the vast majority of wind-related claims, and a damaged roof can allow wind and rain to enter the building, resulting in even more damage. Detailed recommendations on how to strengthen a roof is available on the IBHS Web site.
2) Protect the building’s windows and doors
Protect all windows and doors from high winds and flying debris. Failure of a large window or door can result in pressurization inside the building, and potential damage. Attention should be given to all windows, entry doors, sliding glass doors, and garage doors.
3) Prepare the surroundings
Limit possible sources of wind-borne debris by surveying the building’s surroundings before a storm and trimming overhanging trees and removing anything that could potentially be picked up by high winds; keep in mind that even seemingly heavy objects can become flying missiles during strong hurricanes.
Additional hurricane property protection information is available on IBHS’ Hurricane resources page.
