Severe weather can occur anywhere. If your area is effected you may not have access to food, water or electricity for days or even weeks. Recall hurricane Irma which left many places here in Naples, Florida without electricity for weeks. True, some “pockets” of electricity existed but unless you had welcoming friends or family members in those areas you were not privileged to benefit from the luxury that electricity can provide.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of adults in the U.S. do not have the resources or plans in place for any emergency. That means if you have friends or family members that live near you chances are they may come knocking at your door for help. Would you be prepared to either turn them away or provide them with aid? There is no such thing as being “too prepared,” and it’s better to start preparing now than later when the store shelves are empty!

 

Here are some tips for preparing for severe weather.

• Staying hydrated. It is recommended to have enough water to supply one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.
• Prescription medicines. Not a cheap preparation, but talk to your doctor to schedule to have at least a three-day supply on hand.
• Personal hygiene. Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and toilet paper. You’ll want to avoid getting sick during this time. Don’t skip on hygiene.
• Get a first-aid kit and most importantly know how to use everything inside or have someone around who does.
• Electronics. Be sure to have battery-powered or solar flashlights handy. A cell phone with a portable charger will come in handy as well.
• Important papers. Copies of drivers’ licenses, special medical information, social security cards, etc. Keep them in a waterproof, air tight bag.
• Cash. Without power, stores may not be able to process credit cards and ATMs may either be non-operational or out of cash. Keep an amount that you would feel comfortable with in small bills stored somewhere in your home.
• Basic hand tools. A wrench, screw driver or set of pliers can be handy for repairs and more.
• Pet food. Your furry friends will also need a 3-day supply of food and water.

 

We don’t sell food insurance at American Accord, but we do offer insurance products which will help protect you from financial loss.

Talk to one of our insurance representatives today to discuss your level of insurance to make sure you are adequately covered. We will shop around for the best rates for your needs.