Hurricane Ian is already being called one of the strongest, most powerful storms in US history. When Ian hit the coast of Florida yesterday, it was a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph.
In South Carolina, the entire coast is under a hurricane warning. As of now, Ian is predicted to make landfall near Folly Beach tomorrow at noon.
The governors of SC, NC, and Georgia have declared States of Emergency. We are expecting intense wind and heavy rain tomorrow and Saturday that could cause downed trees, flooding, and possible power outages.
Here are our recommendations:
- If you have an emergency during the storm, such as damage to your roof or water coming in, do what you can to help prevent further damage. Use tarps and/or call a restoration company immediately to prevent further damage to your property.
- Keep accurate records of your expenses. Take pictures of any damage prior to making temporary repairs. Be sure to save bills and receipts from your repairs and avoid making permanent repairs until your claim professional has reviewed the damage.
- Separate and inventory any damaged personal property. Create a list of any damaged contents, including a description of the item, name of the manufacturer, brand name, age, as well as the place and date of purchase, if known. Include photographs, videotapes or personal property inventories you may already have available.
- Be wary of any gas lines that may have been damaged or broken during the storm. If a gas leak is suspected, stay out of the property until the utility company deems it safe.
- Be cautious of hazards that are a product of the storm, such as water due to flooding, sharp or broken objects, damaged tree limbs or other structures that may have been damaged by high winds or water.
- Avoid downed power lines. Never touch anything in contact with power lines, including water or water puddles that may be near the downed power lines.
We will be here and ready to help you report any claims. You can also click here to access the claim information for our insurance company partners.
