Hurricane Florence is expected to become a major hurricane by mid week, and threaten ALL of the east coast. While a direct impact is expected around the North Carolina coast, areas up to New England can expect drenching rain and some wind. We all need to pay attention to this storm.
In preparation, the MCC wants to remind you of a few very important things:
- The MCC has a hurricane and preparedness section of its website. Just click the link to our downloads page and click the hurricane tab. https://knowflood.org/downloads
- If you don’t have a flood insurance policy, there is a 30 day wait for a policy to be effective. It is too late to purchase coverage for this event.
- Refer to the website https://cera.coastalrisk.live/ for the latest hurricane information.
- If you do have a flood insurance policy, remember that an NFIP flood policy will cover some costs to prepare for a flood and to move property to a safe location. According to the NFIP Flood Manual (Flood Insurance Manual, Policy Section, Page 9-10), “[The NFIP] will pay up to $1,000 for costs you incur to protect the insured building from a flood or imminent danger of flood, for the following: (a) Your reasonable expenses to buy: (i) Sandbags, including sand to fill them; (ii) Fill for temporary levees; (iii) Pumps; and (iv) Plastic sheeting and lumber used in connection with these items. (b) The value of work, at the Federal minimum wage, that you or a member of your household perform”.
- PLEASE NOTE: this coverage for Sandbags, Supplies and Labor only applies if damage to insured property by a flood is imminent and the threat of flood damage is apparent enough to lead someone to anticipate flood damage. The flood must also occur in the area, but does not need to reach the building.
- The NFIP will also pay to removed items to a safe place. According to the NFIP Flood Manual (Flood Insurance Manual, Policy Section, Page 10) “[The NFIP] will pay up to $1,000 for the reasonable expenses you incur to move insured property to a place other than the described location that contains the property in order to protect it from flood or the imminent danger of flood. Reasonable expenses include the value of work, at the Federal minimum wage, you or a member of your household perform.”
- These coverages under the NFIP flood policy don’t have a deductible associated with them, but are considered a claim if filed.
As of writing this, the expected landfall of the Hurricane is Thursday. We will update you as events this week transpire.
