It’s National Hurricane Prep Week. Are you prepared for another Sandy?
The official start of hurricane season is tomorrow, June 1.
After last October’s bout with one of the toughest storms New Jersey has seen in a long time, you should know that there ARE many things you can do to be properly ready to defend yourself against the next one. Procuring the proper New Jersey Flood Insurance for your property is just the first step, and Bogle Agency Insurance is ready to help you with that.
The U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has laid out several steps that you should take BEFORE a hurricane threatens your area:
–To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
–Know your surroundings.
–Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted.
–Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you.
–Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.
–Make plans to secure your property:
–Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8″ marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
–Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
–Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
–Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
–Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.
–Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
–Determine how and where to secure your boat.
–Install a generator for emergencies.
–If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.
–Consider building a safe room.
Hurricanes cause heavy rains that can cause extensive flood damage in coastal and inland areas. Everyone is at risk and should consider flood insurance protection. Flood insurance is the only way to financially protect your property or business from flood damage. To learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself and your business, visit the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (NFIP) Website www.floodsmart.gov and then call us at Bogle Agency Insurance at 201-939-1076 or 1-877-453-7358. You can also visit our website at www.bogleagency.com to request a free quote. And remember, it takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to be activated.
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