Preparing for Hurricane Matthew 2016

For Category 4 hurricanes, winds range from 131 to 155 mph and can cause catastrophic damage to property and people. This kind of force is capable of causing severe structural damage to frame homes, apartments, as well as commercial property. Long-term power outages and water shortages lasting from a few weeks to a few months have also been associated with Cat 4’s.

Along with stocking up on significant nonperishable food and water supplies, homeowners should take precautions to prepare both the structure of the home and the internal contents of the home. Another thing to prepare for, as well, is locating your homeowners insurance policy and have it on hand in case any type of damage occurs. Having it ready, and even reviewing it, can go a long ways to getting through the process of repairing any kind of damage once the storm passes, thus returning you and your family back to pre-loss conditions as soon as possible.

The same can be said for commercial property owners. Having your policy close by and knowing your responsibilities after any kind of loss, can speed up the process of getting your business back up and running completely, sooner.

After any kind of damage occurs to your home, property, and/or business, having the number of a Public Adjuster can also speed up the process of getting the help you need from your insurance carrier. Public Adjusters, like those with Noble Public Adjusting Group, will be on hand throughout Florida’s east coast, as well as the panhandle and south Georgia to help.

As of Thursday, October 6th, Hurricane Matthew was upgraded to Category 4 status as it sets its sites on the coast of Florida. As a Category 4, this means that Hurricane Matthew will be hitting south and central Florida with winds from 130 mph to 156 mph.

This kind of force can cause catastrophic damage. It means that even well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with major loss to the roof structure and exterior walls. Trees will be snapped and/or uprooted and power poles will be downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Such kind of damage caused by Category 4 hurricanes have been known to cause power outages that have lasted months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

So what are the most useful ways to protect against a storm of this magnitude?

Protecting windows and sliding glass doors is one of the top ways keep your house livable after such a storm. Why is protecting windows so important? Once a window is broken, the wind blows inside to not only wreck the interior, but also to apply upward pressure on the roof, which might be enough to detach it. If the roof, wether partially or wholly, becomes detached it will directly effect the structural integrity of the walls. Heavy plywood and/or metal shutters are vital to preparation of a storm the size and scope of Hurricane Matthew. Experts recommend using 3/4 inch plywood and drilling screw holes 18 inches apart all around it. Remove weak and dead trees or tree limbs on your property. Know whether your home is in a zone that could be flooded by storm surge, meaning you’d have to evacuate. Keep your homeowners insurance information on hand. Help is available after damage occurs; use it. Call Noble Public Adjusting Group after any damage occurs to your home. Public Adjusters are licensed to come out inspect the damage and file your insurance claim for you in order to relieve the some of the burden you already face after the storm.

Noble Public Adjusting Group is virtually the only Public Adjuster that is actually located in the panhandle of Florida, and services the needs for communities throughout all of west Florida and central Florida.