IBHS Offers Guidance as American Coastlines Prepare

NHC: Multiple Storms Churning the Atlantic and Pacific

Beware Hurricane Florence: Residents of the Carolinas, Virginia Urged to Document and Protect Property; Plan for Evacuation, High Wind, Flooding and Power Loss

RICHBURG, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Residents along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States should be preparing now for Hurricane Florence, expected to hit later this week. South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia have each declared a State of Emergency based on the storm’s current conditions. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers clear tips and resources to help people understand and prepare for a range of hurricane hazards from severe high winds and storm surge to inland flooding.

Hurricane Florence is on a track for the Carolinas and Virginia. Residents are urged to plan for severe winds and a powerful storm surge as Florence comes ashore, and also for extensive inland flooding as the storm’s pace is expected to slow and deliver prolonged heavy rain over inland areas.

In addition, the National Hurricane Center has issued advisories for storms Helene and Isaac, behind Florence in the Atlantic, and in the eastern Pacific for Tropical Storm Paul, and in the central Pacific for Hurricane Olivia, now aiming for Hawaii.

PREPARATION IS KEY; HELP YOUR HOME SURVIVE:

Florence’s size enables it to intensify (or weaken) very rapidly; accordingly, people should be prepared to evacuate if/when ordered, a process that can be made easier by advance planning and preparation. Home, property and business owners can take many important, valuable steps to protect their property and limit possible damage, and to make any claims easier to file and process.

Please visit, save, print and/or share these resources for helpful tips, infographics, videos and more.

Protect Yourself, Family and Pets:

• Storm Surge Kills; Can’t Be Outrun
• Have a Plan
• Emergency Kit
• Document Your Possessions
• Stay Safe After the Storm

Protect Your Home; Limit Damage:

• Prepare for Flooding
• Getting the Roof Right (video)
• Reduce Hurricane Damage to Homes
• Reduce Hurricane Damage to Businesses
• Last-Minute Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

BUSINESS PREPARATION!

Weather disasters permanently close too many small businesses. Preparedness makes a difference. September is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Preparedness Month. This year’s theme? Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How. IBHS is a proud partner with the Small Business Administration and FEMA to help America’s small businesses prepare for disasters.

IBHS EXPERTS AVAILABLE:

Contact Susan Millerick or Mark Friedlander to speak with any of the following IBHS experts:

• Roy Wright, CEO and President
• Anne Cope, PhD, P.E., SVP Research and Chief Engineer
• Ian Giammanco, PhD, Lead Research Meteorologist
• Gail Moraton, Business Resiliency Manager

About the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

IBHS’ mission is to conduct objective, scientific research to identify and promote effective actions that strengthen homes, businesses and communities against natural disasters and other causes of loss.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180910005686/en/

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

Susan Millerick, 813-675-1066

SMillerick@IBHS.org

or

Mark Friedlander, 904-806-7813

MFriedlander@IBHS.org

Source: Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)