Prepare for Extremely Active Hurricane Season

With the approach of the Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1, the Tropical Weather and Climate Research team at the Colorado State University is predicting an extremely active season.  The forecast is that there will be 23 named storms, including 11 hurricanes, five of which are expected to range from category three to five. Against this background, a leading insurance company, JN General Insurance (JNGI), is urging persons to prioritise preparedness throughout the month of May, which is officially recognised as Hurricane Preparedness Month.

Thomas Smith, managing director, JNGI, underscored that hurricanes pose a significant threat to lives and property, thus highlighting the critical importance of making preparations in advance.

“Preparation is key to weathering the impact of hurricanes. Every year, hurricanes cause devastating consequences for affected countries, resulting in the loss of lives and extensive destruction that amount to significant economic loss. However, by proactively preparing for these events, their impact can be minimised,” Mr Smith said.

The insurer pointed out that it is often common for people to begin preparation only when there is an impending hurricane, but he strongly discourages the practice.

“Relying on last-minute preparations can leave persons vulnerable and ill-equipped to manage the impact of a hurricane. The short window of time between a hurricane warning and its landfall is inadequate for thorough preparation. Besides, persons may run the risk of not being able to procure essential supplies which may run out due to the high demand at that time. Furthermore, severe weather conditions, prior to the arrival of a hurricane, could hamper preparatory work such as roof repairs,” he explained.

Mr Smith recommends the following preparedness tips to mitigate loss of life and property damage:

• Conduct a thorough inspection of your property to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities. Repair damaged roofs, install hurricane shutters, or have pre-cut plyboard in storage to protect windows and doors.  Also ensure that materials, such as a hammer, nails and other tools are available for battening up.

• Assemble an emergency kit that includes essential items such as water, medication, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, cash, and four to five days of non-perishable food.

• Trim tree branches that overhang buildings to reduce the likelihood of them becoming projectiles and causing harm to people or damage to property.

• Review insurance policy to ensure that property is insured for the full replacement value to safeguard financial security against potential losses.

• Have a plan in place if evacuation becomes necessary. Familiarise yourself with your evacuation routes and emergency shelters.

• Back up important documents and electronic data to a secure, waterproof container or cloud storage to ensure they are protected in the event of damage to your home.

• Take photographs and videos of your home to document the condition of your property for insurance purposes. These visual records serve as valuable evidence to support any insurance claims you may need to file in the aftermath of a damage caused by the hurricane.

Last year’s Atlantic hurricane season was ranked as the fourth-most active on record, with a total of 20 named storms.

The hurricane season officially ends on November 30 each year.