Safety and Property Readiness Resources for Tropical Storm Bill

With much of the South and Mid-western U.S. bracing for Tropical Storm Bill to hit landfall today, home and business owners are preparing for the worst. Meteorologists are predicting that the storm will bring upwards of 10 inches of rain throughout Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and may cause major flooding throughout the region. As much as insureds may be concerned about their houses and offices, getting their families and employees to safety should be their first priority.

In order to help the people in affected areas to prepare, we have compiled the following links to important safety and insurance information:

Safety Resources

• Updates on Tropical Storm Bill from the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center 
• Download the FEMA app as it gives users access to preparedness tips such as survival advice and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. Users can retrieve information on Disaster Recovery Centers and find locations of the nearest shelters.   
• Missouri Department of Public Safety state emergency management information
• Arkansas Department of Emergency Management community emergency response instructions
• Safety and preparedness tips from The Weather Channel
• Instructions for using flood insurance and finding an agent from the NFIP
• Water and flooding safety instructions from the FDA
• Requesting assistance and/or shelter, finding loved ones and donation instructions from the American Red Cross
• CDC emergency preparedness and response information
• Texas Division of Emergency Management severe weather awareness information and instructions
• Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management preparedness and response information

Floods can and do cause millions of dollars in property damage each year. According to FEMA’s statistics, more than $9,000,000 in NFIP flood claim dollars were paid in 2012 alone. Carl Gross, Vice President and Chief Administration Officer at Globe Midwest/Adjusters International which serves states throughout the Midwest, cautions that the unpredictability of these storms is what makes them so dangerous.

 

We will have no idea about the extent of the damage until after it passes so I always recommend that residents and business owners prepare for the worst in these situations. When storms such as this one hit, almost every homeowner affected files insurance claims immediately following the event. This means that insurance company adjusters are inundated with claims, phone calls and questions. It is especially important to be persistent and to keep detailed notes concerning everyone you speak to and what you are told by the insurance company.

Carl Gross, VP and Chief Administration Officer

Property Damage Resources

• Protecting your home during severe weather from FEMA
• Flood Insurance Claim Basics from United Policyholders
• Facts about flood insurance from the Insurance Information Institute