If a hurricane hit where you live, would your family be ready?
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center has forecasted 12-18 named storms (winds 39 mph or higher) for the 2011 hurricane season, of which, 6-10 could potentially become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher). Are you prepared? (Source: IBHS)
Whatever tomorrow brings, there are several preparedness measures you should consider to survive and recover from a hurricane - especially if you live in a coastal area. Know what your community's disaster plan is, for instance. Your local emergency management office, American Red Cross chapter or utility company may have a Disaster Handbook with contact information and evacuation routes for your community.
Below are comprehensive preparedness guides for download, as well as several links, with valuable hurricane information provided by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Florida's Kissimmee Utility Authority. We hope you'll review these links to make sure you know how to best prepare for a hurricane, what precautions and steps to take after the storm and how to file a claim with ANPAC if your property is damaged.
The Kissimmee Utility Authority's 2011 Osceola Hurricane Handbook is available for download here. Even if you don't live in Florida, it's a great resource for hurricane safety.
Hurricane: Know the Terms & Hazards
- Hurricane Terms to Know
- Hurricane Hazards: Rainfall & Flooding, Hurricane Winds, Storm Surge, Tornadoes
What Steps Should I Take to Prepare?
- Secure Your Home and Property.
When it comes to protecting your property against hurricane damage, there are several key areas of your home or business that have been identified by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) as the most vulnerable to damage. As a member of IBHS, ANPAC is pleased to share this information with you. More details are available at www.DisasterSafety.org.
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Other Things to Consider
- Create escape routes.
- Devise a family communications plan.
- Download family communications plan blank forms.
- Create a utility shut-off plan.
- Know how to help individuals with special needs.
- Know how to care for your pets.
- Gather insurance policies/cards and other important papers for quick access.
- Protect your valuable records.
- Create a family disaster plan.
Creating a Disaster Supplies Kit*
The following items should be included in your disaster supplies kit:
- Water.
- Food.
- First aid supplies.
- Clothes, bedding & sanitation supplies.
- Tools.
- Special supplies.
- Disaster plan checklist.
*Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container; a camping backpack; or a duffle bag.
What Should I do if a Hurricane is Imminent?
- What should I do when a hurricane watch is issued?
- How can I protect my business?
- What should I do before I evacuate?
How Do I Recover from Disaster?
- How can I stay safe after the storm has passed?
- How do I remove mold from my home?
- What precautions should I take when returning home?
- How do I cope with the emotional effects of the disaster?
- How can I help children cope?
The following bulletins can provide you and a policyholder with some important additional information in the event of a disaster.
No one wants to think about suffering a loss. In the unfortunate event you do have a loss, our ANPAC Five Star Claim ServiceSM is designed to provide assurance and confidence to our policyholders throughout the claims process.
24-Hour Claims Hotline: 1-800-333-2860
ORReport online with your computer or mobile device
American National Property And Casualty Company is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. It is a subsidiary of American National Insurance Company (ANICO) of Galveston, Texas. American National Multiple Line exclusive agents offer a combination of life insurance, annuities, property and casualty insurance for personal lines, agri-business, targeted commercial exposures and other services. Multiple Line agents serve individuals, families and business owners.
This web site is not comprehensive and is only provided for general use and should not be relied upon as the sole source for your safety. American National, its affiliates, subsidiaries and employees assume no liability in connection with the information or the safety suggestions provided. Unique circumstances may require implementation of some or all of the safety suggestions. There may be additional available safety procedures that are not referenced on this web site. This site may have links to other sites, which are not maintained by American National Insurance Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates. Links to or from a third-party site do not constitute the sponsorship, endorsement or approval by American National Property And Casualty Company of the content, policies or practices of such sites. You should check the privacy policies of any site you visit. All coverages are subject to the insuring agreements, exclusions and conditions of the policy, and applicable endorsements. This material is not a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any policy.
