Alabama Department of Insurance Encourages Readiness Ahead of Tropical Storm Nate

MONTGOMERY, Ala., Oct. 5 -- The Alabama Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

All eyes are once again on the tropics as Tropical Storm Nate has formed in the western Caribbean Sea. Alabama Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling stresses that all Alabamians need to remain aware and prepared for any storm.

According to NOAA's National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Nate could become Hurricane Nate before making landfall in the northern Gulf of Mexico, possibly affecting Alabama.

"All Alabamians should know their risk and be prepared. It only takes one storm, be it a tropical storm or hurricane, to cause life-changing damage," Ridling said. "Being prepared is the key to protecting life and property."

While it is still early, Nate's current projected track could bring Alabama high winds, heavy rainfall, tornadoes and flooding. Knowing your risk, getting prepared and staying informed are just a few steps you can take to get ready during hurricane season.

Know Your Risk:

* Visit www.ready.gov and the NOAA's National Weather Center to find information about risks in your area and the severity of oncoming weather systems.

* Stay up to date on disaster readiness, resources and assistance as well as current conditions from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency at ema.alabama.gov.

Be Prepared:

* Take action now to be prepared for hurricane season. As the storm approaches, it is often too late to get ready. You can find helpful tips at www.ready.gov, the ALDOI, the Alabama EMA and FEMA.

* Make sure you have a Family/Household Emergency Communication Plan. Get together with your family and agree on the ways to contact one another in an emergency and identify meeting locations.

* Make sure you have a family evacuation plan, update your emergency supply kit and evaluate your flood insurance needs. Evacuations are more common than most people realize. Make yourself familiar with your community's evacuation zones, so you'll know exactly where to go. Know the locations of shelters in your area. If a hurricane threatens your community and local officials say it's time to evacuate, don't hesitate -- go early.

* Make sure you have a way to receive emergency alerts and warnings. Be sure to have a weather radio and plenty of batteries on hand. Also, FEMA and many local media services offer free weather apps for your smartphone or mobile device. Many such apps provide a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, tips on how to survive disasters, weather alerts from the National Weather Service and push notifications.

Emergency Supply Kits Should Include:

* Water: One gallon a day for each person for at least three days.

* Food: Store a minimum of three days of non-perishable food for each person.

* Manual can opener and plastic plates, cups and utensils.

* Baby formula and supplies, if needed.

* A list of emergency contacts, including your local police and fire department, your utility company and your insurance agent.

* A first-aid kit, any prescriptions and over-the-counter medications that may be needed, and personal hygiene items.

* A weather radio, flashlights and plenty of batteries should the power go out.

* Charged cell phones.

Know About Your Insurance: Check your insurance coverage. Many states have increased deductibles for hurricanes and not all hurricane-related losses are covered under traditional policies. Most homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage or losses from flooding. Review your policy, ensure you're adequately covered and understand exclusions, and contact your insurer for any possible changes. Some companies place moratoriums on coverage changes 24 to 48 hours before the storm. If you're not insured against flood, talk to your agent or visit www.floodsmart.gov. Renter's insurance policies are also available and should be considered as a way of protecting your belongings.

Stay Informed: Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event. Sign up for alerts from your local emergency management office so notifications, including evacuation orders, go directly to your phone and email. Monitor local news for hurricane watches and warnings in your area and follow directions of local officials.

Additional information and disaster preparedness tips are available at www.ready.gov/hurricanes and the Disaster Preparedness page in the "Consumers" section of the Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI) website at www.aldoi.gov or contact the ALDOI Consumer Service Division at 1-800-433-3966.