As of August 26th, a tropical storm is brewing in the Caribbean Sea, and if conditions hold up, we’ll be calling it Idalia by late Sunday or Monday.
Potential Storm Headed to Florida: What You Need to Know
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring a tropical disturbance in the northwestern Caribbean Sea that has a 70% chance of developing into a tropical depression or named storm by late Sunday or Monday. If it becomes a tropical storm, it will be named Idalia.
According to the National Hurricane Center, “Idalia is expected to track toward the Florida and Alabama Gulf coastlines later this week. Residents in these areas should monitor the forecast closely and make preparations for a possible hurricane.”
How to Prepare Your Home or Business for a Hurricane
There are several things you can do to prepare your home or business for a hurricane and potential damage that might follow:
- Take pictures or video of your home and property before the hurricane hits. You may need to provide these documents to your insurance company as proof of the condition of your home should a storm damage it.
- Take pictures or video of what’s inside your home or business. Gather receipts. Again, you may need to provide these documents to your insurance company as proof of loss should you incur interior damage.
- Bring outdoor furniture and decorations inside.
- Secure loose items around your property, such as garbage cans and lawn furniture.
- Trim trees and shrubs that could fall during the storm.
Review Your Insurance Policy
It is important to read your insurance policy to understand what damage it covers. Some policies may not cover damage caused by flooding, so it is important to check your policy carefully. If you have questions about your policy, contact your insurance provider and ask them for answers. CORE Public Adjusters can also assist you with interpreting your insurance policy.
Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Tax-Free Holiday
Florida is currently holding a disaster preparedness tax-free holiday. This means that you can purchase qualifying items related to disaster preparedness exempt from sales tax. The tax-free holiday runs from Saturday, August 26th to Friday, September 8th. Some of the items that are exempt from sales tax during the tax-free weekend include:
- Generators
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- First aid kits
- Food and water
- Fuel
- Tarps and plywood
- Tools and supplies for repairs
- Pet supplies
- And more
What to Do If You Have Property Damage After a Hurricane
If you have property damage after a hurricane, there are a few things you should do:
- Stay safe and avoid any areas that are still hazardous.
- Take pictures of the damage to document your losses.
- Contact your insurance company to file a claim or let us help you with that.
- Be prepared to provide proof of your losses, such as receipts and photographs.
If you have property damage after a hurricane, you should contact CORE Public Adjusters. We are a team of experienced public adjusters who can help you get the maximum compensation for your losses. We will work with your insurance company to get your claim processed quickly and fairly. Contact CORE Public Adjusters today to learn more about how we can help you after a hurricane.
Stay safe and prepared during this hurricane season.
