American Property Casualty Insurance Association: Insurers Urge Greater Preparedness During Peak of Tornado Season

CHICAGO, Illinois, April 22 (TNSrpt) -- The American Property Casualty Insurance Association issued the following news release:

The United States is in the midst of an active tornado season, and peak season activity typically occurs in April and May. The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) urges residents in states prone to tornadoes and severe weather to take steps now to be prepared for peak season activity. To help residents prepare, APCIA has published a paper 2023 Tornado Season & Consumer Preparedness Actions, which highlights ways consumers can be better prepared for severe weather. It also provides specific ways that consumers can help to address rising costs.

"As we move through the peak of tornado season, it is critical that homeowners and businesses take action now to ensure they are ready for severe and sometimes deadly weather," said Jeffrey Brewer, vice president of public affairs at APCIA. "When a tornado is near, minutes matter, which is why advanced preparation is key. As we recently witnessed, these storms can be extremely damaging and deadly."

Tornado Alley is Shifting; More People are in Harm's Way

Recent research has shown a shift from the traditional 'Tornado Alley' of the Central Great Plains of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, towards Mississippi through Tennessee and Kentucky, and into southern Indiana.

An analysis of the 38,000 tornadoes that occurred from 1950 to 2019 found a clear shift from the first half of the 70-year period to the second half. While overall tornado activity was almost identical in the two 35-year periods, in the latter half of the 35-year period, the number of tornadoes in the Great Plains decreased by 20 percent, while in the Southeast the number of tornadoes increased by 42 percent and were noted to be twice as deadly as tornadoes elsewhere in the U.S.

As more tornadoes affect more densely populated regions east of the Mississippi River, this may result in more deadly storms and more costly property losses. Further, the large concentration of mobile homes in the southeast, which are particularly vulnerable to a tornado's high winds, is a significant concern, underscoring the need for increased attention and investment in tornado safe rooms to help protect lives.

"Consumers should identify a safe location where they can take cover if severe weather strikes, know the warning signals used in their community, maintain an emergency storm kit, and conduct tornado drills with their family," added Brewer.

An emergency storm kit should contain a battery-power radio, flashlight, batteries, and first aid items. A NOAA weather radio is especially helpful in case of severe weather warnings in the middle of the night. It is also recommended to sign up for severe weather alerts by text or notifications on your phone.

APCIA offers resources with vital information for those impacted by severe weather, as well as preparedness tips for those living in tornado-prone areas.

APCIA's Tornado Preparedness Tips

* Talk with your insurer or agent to review your insurance policy in detail and verify that you have the right amount and right types of insurance coverage. There are additional coverage options, such as annual inflation adjustment, extended replacement cost, and building code upgrades, that you may want to consider for increased protection.

* Conduct a detailed inventory of your possessions including receipts, descriptions, and photos of your home's contents.

* Keep your insurance policy and agent information along with other important information in a secure, easily accessible location.

* Keep your cell phone charged and with you for emergencies.

* Keep a laptop computer or phone close by. Most insurance companies allow claims to be submitted via the Internet, app, or over the phone.

* Examine the outside of your home for patio furniture, overhanging tree limbs, and other items that could cause damage during a windstorm.

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REPORT: file:///C:/Users/lenovo/Downloads/TornadoSeason_ConsumerPreparedness.pdf

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Original text here: https://www.apci.org/media/news-releases/release/75624/