JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With a hurricane looming in the tropics, it’s a good idea to make sure to prepare your home ahead of the powerful storm's potential effects.
It’s uncertain what Hurricane Matthew will bring to our area, but making sure you have looked into your insurance policy to ensure everything is up-to-date, is a great way to be proactive.
A potentially big issue Jacksonville faces with severe weather are downed trees because of the extreme damage they can do to homes.
The people of Jamaica are stocking up on food and supplies as they brace for Hurricane Matthew.
The U-S weather service says it is the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic since 2007, and forecasters predict it could make landfall on the southern coast tomorrow.
People in Jacksonville are prepping for the effects Matthew could bring mid-week. Matt Carlucci, with State Farm Insurance, said now is the time to call up your agent to see what your policy includes, and what you should be doing if you have any damage.
Carlucci said it’s the policy holder’s responsibility to mitigate any further damage that happens with severe weather. He also said to check into your flood insurance policy, and, if you don’t have one, look into getting one because even people in low-risk flood zones can see significant flooding from heavy rains associated with the hurricanes.
“If that happens, that obviously exposes your house to water damage and rain and so forth,” Carlucci said. “Many people wonder, ‘Should I call people first or should my insurance company see the damage before I call anybody?’ The answer is call the tree surgeon, get the tree removed (and) call a company that can tarp it up. A lot of time the roofer’s can.”
Other tips for preventing damage to your home is to get your trees trimmed and clear out any old branches or debris that could be dangerous with high winds and rain.
Click here for more information on how you can find a local arborist.