May 10th, 11
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Every year the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, Emergency Management Coordinators and officials within the local jurisdictions join forces to recognize Hurricane Preparedness Week.
According to the Old River-Winfree Community News Blog, this year’s events are set to take place from May 22 through May 28, 2011.
The week acts as an incredible opportunity to build public awareness and reminds residents living in evacuation zones to learn their evacuation routes in advance, before a storm strikes. Being fully prepared for hurricane season is especially critical for coastal Texans—since damages are still being taken care of from previous storms like Hurricane Ike—acting as a unfortunate reminder of how powerful these seasonal storms can get.
Hurricane Preparedness Week is also meant to encourage the general public to double check and re-stock their emergency supply kits. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, emergency preparedness supplies should include:
- First Aid Kit; including prescription medications, eyeglasses, copies of prescriptions, hearing aids, batteries, other special medical items
- Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence, information to process insurance claims
- Credit cards and cash (in the event that the power is out, banks & ATMs may not be available)
- Battery-operated radio, NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries
- Road maps, travel plans
- 3-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per person per day
- Manual can opener, knife, tools, fire extinguisher, flashlight, duct tape, tools, etc.
- Extra keys
- Blankets, pillows, extra clothing, etc.
- Toilet paper, personal hygiene products
- And more…
Hurricane Preparedness Week is a wonderful resource for all Texans who may have questions about how they can best prepare for hurricane season and the potential for devastating storms. If you have further questions about how you can protect yourself, your property and inevitable help safeguard your future, please do not hesitate to contact Dagley Insurance & Financial Services; we’d be happy to help!
Dagley Insurance, Educational, Flood Insurance, Government, Home Insurance, Home Inventory, Homeowner Insurance, Hurricane Karl, Hurricane Safety Tips, Resources, Texas
Feb 24th, 11
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No matter where you are located across the state of Texas, the onset of spring weather can bring with it a slew of problems—if the necessary precautions have yet to be taken. Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a wet basement and household water damage.
Whether it’s the extra spring precipitation, a plumbing mishap in your home or simply your location along the Texas coastline, water damage is possible and by spotting the first signs early enough you can stop the issue from growing. They “symptoms” may seem trivial at first – a few water stains on your bathroom ceiling or a leak under the kitchen sink – but with continued disregard and seasonable rain, those small issues can turn into major problems.
As a Texas homeowner, recognizing the causes of water damage can help you prevent damages to your home and personal possessions.
Common causes of water damage include:
- Broken pipes & hoses
- Household accidents – overflowing bathtubs and broken toilets
- Flash flooding and excessive rain
- Sewer back up – tree roots are common violators!
There are many ways you can take a proactive approach and prevent water damage from causing chaos within your Texas home. Start by evaluating your property and determine any possible sources of water damage; then try utilizing some of these maintenance tips:
- Keep your gutters free and clear of any debris
- Check for leaks under the sink where the hoses connect to the water supply
- If your refrigerator has a built in icemaker, check the hose connection and be aware of any wet spots on the floor.
- Replace any weakening caulk around sinks
In addition to appliances and the general upkeep of your home, location can also play a significant role in you water damage woes. Live in a high-risk flooding area? You may want to consider adding extra, enhanced protection to your Texas home insurance policy to cover flood and water damage.
With roughly a month left until the Spring Equinox, all of us at Dagley Insurance hope you enjoy the spring weather, and while you’re out and about doing some spring cleaning, stay up to date on these important water maintenance needs!
Feb 22nd, 11
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Nearly two years after Hurricane Ike tore up the Texas coastline, reconstruction is nearly done on the terminal at Scholes International Airport in Galveston.
The 9-foot storm surge flooded parts of Galveston on September 13, 2008 and according to experts the high water ruined the airport terminal’s heating, cooling, communication and electrical systems.
Airport director Hud Hopkins said the debris was “about waist-high in the building“.
Redesign started in March 2010 and The Galveston County Daily News reported that planners decided to restore the terminal to its original 1950s look. According to Hopkins, “the updated terminal will have impact, hurricane-resistant windows”.
In a recent post from StatesMan.com, it was reported that the terminal was approved for a certificate of occupancy last week.
Wind and water are considered to be the main destructive forces in regard to hurricanes. In many hurricane claims both wind and water are considered hazardous, natural occurrences and are covered in your standard hurricane insurance policy.
Whether you are in need of hurricane or general flood insurance for your business or are looking to purchase the endorsement in addition to your Texas home insurance, both are certainly worthy policies that can help protect your property from this type of disaster.
Have questions about your current business or home insurance policy? Interested in enhancing your current plan with additional coverage options? Give Dagley Insurance a call, we’d be happy to help!
Jun 14th, 10
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The devastating flash floods that have killed over a dozen campers in Arkansas have the uninsured in Texas nervous for what could come. Going without flood insurance is a popular thing. When it comes time to buy flood insurance, you tell yourself “it will never happen here.” Right? Well it’s happened in Arkansas and it could happen anywhere, including Texas.
Floods are the nation’s number one form of natural disaster. More common than earthquakes or hurricanes, floods can cause some serious and expensive damage. Since flood insurance is not part of your homeowners insurance, don’t forget to include it alongside your home coverage next time you evaluate your policies.
Contact Dagley Insurance for more information on securing a flood insurance plan and start protecting your home. Visit FEMA to learn some important steps for preparing yourself and your family for a flood.
Image provided by laurenbriggs.com
