Hurricane Season is Just Around the Corner, Are You Prepared?

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS


Through a combination of soaking rain, flying debris, high winds and tidal surges, hurricanes can cause a lot of damage.  Besides causing extensive damage on the coast, hurricanes and other tropical storms can bring flooding hundreds of miles inward, placing communities not even on the shoreline in a danger zone.  Even just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. This is where Big Bags USA Flood Barrier Systems come in handy!

Floods are the number one natural disaster in the United States.  Although flooding causes destruction all across the nation, many homeowners and businesses are unaware that they qualify for flood insurance or that policies are more affordable than they would imagine.  People need to realize the importance of preparing before disaster strikes instead of trying to clean up afterwards. The most important step is to understand your risk.  Hurricanes and Tropical storms can be extremely dangerous and lead to potentially catastrophic conditions consisting of heavy rains, storm surges and inland flooding.

Storm Surges 

Storm surge is the water that is pushed toward the shore by strong winds.  These waves cause severe flooding in coastal areas and can be extremely destructive when combined with high tides.  In 2008, Hurricane Ike produced a storm surge of nearly 10 feet at its landfall, coming over the protective sea wall on Galveston Island and destroying hundreds of homes and businesses.  There were more than 46,400 paid flood losses totaling more than $2.6 billion from this storm alone.

Heavy Rains 

Hurricanes have to potential of producing heavy, sustained rainfall that can overwhelm drainage systems and lead to flooding.  In 2011, Tropical Storm Lee generated up to 15 inches of rain in some areas and caused major flooding along the Gulf and Atlantic.  The storm resulted in more than $42 million in paid flood losses, averaging about $45,000 per loss.

Inland Flooding 

As mentioned above, coastal communities aren't the only ones that need to prepare for hurricane flooding.  Tropical storms and hurricanes can be powerful enough to travel far from the initial strike zone. Once inward, they continue to bring heavy rain and powerful winds.  In 2011, hurricane Irene wrecked havoc along the entire Atlantic coast breaking 26 river flooding records throughout New York, New Jersey and Vermont.  As a result, there were nearly 44,000 paid claims totaling more than $1.3 billion.

Preparing for a Flood

As you can see, Hurricanes can be devastating not only physically, but also financially.  It's better to prepare in advance than pay for it later.  Before the threat of flooding becomes imminent, residents and business owners should:
  • Purchase a flood insurance policy if they do not already have one.
  • Review their current insurance policy and become familiar with what is covered and ensure the limits adequately protect their building and personal belongings.
  • Make an emergency kit, plan evacuation routes, and keep important papers in a safe, waterproof place.
  • Itemize and take pictures of possessions.
  • Call Big Bags USA to see how our Flood Barrier Systems can save your community millions of dollars in flood damage. 

Hurricane season starts June 1, so now is the time to for you and your community to get prepared! It typically takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to go into effect, so there's no time to delay. Although Colorado State University's Tropical Meteorology Project predicted a below average 2014 hurricane season, experts say we could see nine tropical storms, three of which could intensify to hurricanes and one turning into a major hurricane.  The last below average prediction in 2009 resulted in more than $77 million in damage.  While predictions are nice, weather can be very unpredictable. Therefore, it's important to consider purchasing flood insurance and looking into flood protection systems before the first storm hits.  It only takes one to cause a significant amount of damage.        

For more information on preparing for hurricane season and flooding please visit FloodSmart.gov.

If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.


D.R.I.P.S.
Disaster Relief & Innovative
Protection Systems, LLC
(573) 480-6699

Let's Connect!

ALWAYS READY TO HELP LOCAL, STATE, & FEDERAL AGENCIES ... BE PREPARED! 


Location: Camdenton, MO 65020, USA

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