Hurricanes

As history has shown, hurricanes are like no other storms on earth.

From Maine to Texas, and in Hawaii, these ferocious weather systems bring torrential rain, flooding, storm surges and devastating winds that damage homes, destroy treasured keepsakes and disrupt lives.

It's never too early to prepare, and you can take several basic steps right now to protect your family and your home from disaster.

Although Nationwide^® can't control the weather, we can help ease financial burdens from the damage or even loss of your home and possessions due to a hurricane.

Your home, your castle

Structures built to meet or exceed current model building codes for high-wind regions have a much better chance of surviving violent windstorms.

The Standard Building Code, developed by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., is one source for information on how to fortify your home against fierce winds.

Although no home can withstand a direct hit from a severe hurricane, good construction will help your home survive if it's on the fringe of the catastrophe’s path.

Limit flying objects

In the event of a hurricane:

• Replace landscaping materials such as gravel and rock with mulch
  
  
• Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed, paying particular attention to weak branches that could fall on your home
  
  
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts
  
  
• Consult a landscaping company about the health of your trees
  
  

Think ahead when building or remodeling

There's no better time to prepare your home for a hurricane than when you're remodeling or building a new one. Going that extra mile now could have significant benefits later.

• Install impact-resistant window systems with permanent storm shutters. Winds will often blow out even the strongest windows.
  
  
• Make certain your doors have at least three hinges and a dead bolt security lock with a bolt at least 1 inch long.
  
  
• Sliding glass doors are more vulnerable to wind damage. Consider installing impact-resistant door systems made of laminated glass, plastic glazing or a combination of plastic and glass.
  
  
• Consider building a safe room for your family to go to if a hurricane should arrive.
  
  
• When replacing your roof, take steps to ensure that both the new roof covering and the sheathing it attaches to will resist high winds. Your roofing contractor should:
  • Remove old coverings down to the bare wood sheathing
  • Remove enough sheathing to confirm that rafters and trusses are securely connected to the walls
  • Replace damaged sheathing
  • Properly refasten existing sheathing
  • Install a roof covering designed to resist high winds
    
    

Act quickly, but don't panic

When a hurricane strikes, the safety of you and your family depends on staying calm and reacting quickly. Here are some actions you can take:

• Don't panic.
  
  
• Move anything in your yard that may become flying debris inside your house or garage before a storm strikes.
  
  
• Obey evacuation orders from local authorities.
  
  
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
  
  
• Turn off propane tanks and avoid using the phone.
  
  
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
  
  
• Close all interior doors, and brace and secure outside doors.
  
  
• If you're unable to evacuate or go to safe room, stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.
  
  
• When a hurricane has passed, take careful note of flooding. Floods are often the result of hurricanes and can produce dangerous conditions hours even days after the hurricane has passed.
  
  

This information is meant to help you make decisions that may reduce your risk. Of course, we can't note every possible risk, and we can’t guarantee that these tips will work for you. However, we hope that if you use some of them, you'll better protect your family and yourself.

Contact your Nationwide insurance agent to make sure you're properly covered if a catastrophe strikes.

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