Preparing for the 2024 Hurricane Season: Tips and Advice
As the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaches, it is essential to be informed and prepared. Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over water and move toward land, bringing threats like high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and tornadoes. Hurricanes can cause significant damage to the U.S. Virgin Islands as they have in the past.
Hurricane Season in the U.S. Virgin Islands runs from mid-May through the end of November. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2024 hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity levels due to near-record warm ocean temperatures. The NOAA predicts that there will be at least 4-7 major Atlantic hurricanes this year. Here are some essential tips to help you stay prepared and protect your property.
Key Preparedness Tips
We strongly encourage everyone to follow the preparedness guidelines outlined by the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA). Easily navigate to the guidelines by clicking here. In addition to these tips, consider the following steps to enhance your readiness:
Review Your Insurance Needs and Policies
Evaluate Your Coverage: Assess your current insurance coverage to ensure it meets your needs. Contact your insurance company if you have questions about your policy.
Document Your Property: Take photographs or videos of your insured property before any damage occurs and save these images to the cloud for easy access in the event of a loss.
Ensure Accessibility of Important Documents: Store insurance documents and other critical records in a safe, accessible place.
Actions to Take if Your Property Sustains Damage
In the unfortunate event that your property is damaged during a hurricane, follow these steps to ensure your safety and facilitate the claims process:
Ensure Safety First
Prioritize Safety: Ensure the safety of yourself and your family. Evacuate if necessary and only return when it is safe to do so.
Protect Undamaged Property: Secure any property that has not been affected to prevent further damage.
Make Emergency Repairs
Conduct Repairs: Perform emergency repairs to mitigate additional damage and keep evidence of all costs incurred during these repairs.
Document the Damage: Take detailed photographs and/or videos of the damaged property, including the structure and contents.
Create an Inventory of Damaged Items
List Damaged Items: Create a list of all damaged items, including their value and approximate date of purchase. If possible, gather sales receipts for personal property to be claimed.
File a Claim Promptly: Submit your claim as soon as it is safely possible.
Contact Us
Contact Attorney Evert for assistance with all of your hurricane insurance claims. If your property sustains damage due to a hurricane, contact our office to schedule a consultation. You do not have to do this alone and if you do not know how to prepare and negotiate a claim, you could be losing tens of thousands of dollars or more, that should have been paid to you. You paid a premium for your insurance policy, and you should receive every penny that you deserve! Stay safe and prepared as we navigate the 2024 Hurricane Season together.