How to Prepare Your Historic Property for a Hurricane
A hurricane can be as large as 600 miles across with winds as strong as 200 mph. Generally, because of the high pressure area associated with such a storm, the accompanying tidal surge can add between 10 to 25 feet to the normal depth of the tides. In the Northern Hemisphere the motion is clockwise, making the most dangerous part of the storm the Northwest quadrant, for it will have the onshore winds driving the sea ahead of it.
Insurance Information:
- Insurance companies will not issue new homeowner policies or increase coverage once an area has been placed under a hurricane watch or warning by the National Weather Service.
- Flood insurance, which is issued by the National Flood Insurance Program, has an automatic 30-day waiting period.
- Flood insurance policies do not automatically provide contents coverage nor do they automatically provide coverage for outbuildings.
- Flood policies for primary residences do not have a co-insurance clause but depreciation will be taken into consideration at the time of a loss if your residence is not insured to within 80% of its replacement clause. However, flood policies covering condominium regimes do have an 80% co-insurance clause.
Things To Do Now
- Before a hurricane threatens, seek expert professional advice for proper storm preparation of your collections using correct procedures and materials needed for packing and moving. For suggestions, contact the HCF curator.
- Acquire copies of building permits now. Make a list of phone numbers
of contractors, painters, plumbers, carpenters, roofers and suppliers.
- Know the elevation of your property above sea level to assess flood-stage information. Ask your insurance agent or consult your flood insurance policy for this information.
- Plan your evacuation route in advance with special awareness of low points and the flooding history of local streets. This map generally shows where high and low lands lie on the Charleston peninsula.
- Let relatives and neighbors know your travel plans.
- Purchase adequate tarpaulin and fastening devices. By the time you can purchase it after the storm, the damage will already have been done!
- Know the location of the nearest designated shelter. (Call Emergency Preparedness at 554-5951 to find out what you should and should not bring.)
- Make plans for your pets.
A Hurricane Watch
- The declaration of a hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible and may threaten an area within 24 hours. It does not mean that a hurricane is imminent. Listen to what local officials are advising on radio or TV bulletins.
- Fill your car’s gas tank; check your oil and tires for proper air pressure.
- Get extra cash from the bank.
- Stock up on canned goods, prescription drugs and first-aid supplies.
- Check batteries on radios and flashlights.
- Secure loose items in yards.
- If you have shutters, make sure that they are fastened securely either open or closed. Tremendous damage was caused by flying shutters during Hurricane Hugo.
- Make sure any access hatch to the roof is secured properly.
- Assemble candles, matches, a lantern and any fuel.
A Hurricane Warning
- A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours or less. Prepare to take further action.
- Follow instructions from your local officials as provided via radio and TV.
- Leave low areas most susceptible to storm surge flooding.
- Fill containers (i.e. bathtubs) with water.
- Unplug small appliances.
- Turn refrigerator and freezer to maximum cold and open only when necessary.
- Fill any available containers, such as plastic milk cartons, with water. Place as many as possible in your freezer. Not only will you have ice, you will extend the amount of time that your frozen foods will remain cold.
- Secure small boats; fill with water to make them heavy.
- Be alert for tornadoes (often accompanying hurricanes).
If you evacuate
- Leave as early as possible, preferably in daylight.
- Be sure you have picked a location that can accommodate your family & pets.
- If you have pets, pack ample pet food and bowls for food and water. Pack necessary medical records, such as proof of rabies shot, microchip ID, etc.
- Do not travel farther than necessary.
- Close all interior doors.
- Lock windows and doors.
- If you live in an area prone to flooding, take what you can upstairs and put what you must leave downstairs on cinder blocks, brackets, etc.
- Cover all valuables with tarpaulin.
- Take survival supplies (i.e. canned food, non-electric can opener, utensils, bottled water, medications, eye glasses, etc.)
- Keep important documents with you at all times (i.e. drivers license, insurance policies, household inventories, photos of the interior and exterior of your property, etc.).
- Take warm and protective clothing.
After the Hurricane
- Beware of loose or dangling power lines. Report them immediately to authorities. If there is damage to your house or to the power lines to your house and the power is off, trip the main breaker so that when the power company restores service, there will be no chance of an accident with a live wire.
- If using an electric generator, do not hook power back into house circuits, as electric currents could move back out into the power grid and cause serious injury or death through electrocution to utilities workers.
- Operate chainsaws only if necessary and with extreme caution. Wear proper hand, face and eye protection. Do not operate chainsaws near electric lines or near possible gas leaks. Do not operate chainsaws from ladders or up in trees.
- Walk and drive with extreme caution. Snakes and poisonous insects may be a hazard. Washouts may weaken roads and bridges.
- If repairs are needed, seek expert advice, use only licensed contractors and get more than one opinion before you begin. Check with the HCF post-emergency recovery center, either at the Capt. James Missroon House (40 East Bay St.) or The Shops of Historic Charleston (108 Meeting St.) for advice.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST
A. Construction Materials
- Plywood for covering or replacing windows.
- Nails, screws.
- Tapes (masking, duct, electricians).
- Adequate plastic tarps for protection against leaks.
B. Emergency Equipment
- Emergency gasoline powered electrical generator.
- Portable lights (to be powered by the generator if possible).
- Emergency lights and flash lights with extra batteries.
- Fire extinguishers (ABC type recommended).
- Battery operated AM/FM radios with extra batteries.
- Extension cords.
- Bottled water to last your family for one week.
- Canned goods and non-perishable foods, non-electric can openers.
- Sufficient containers for water for uses other than drinking water (i.e.
washing utensils, bathing, etc.)
- First Aid kit
C. Documents
These important documents should be kept in more than one location (i.e. office, safety deposit box, home). Place all documents, photographs and tapes in waterproof containers.
- Current and updated insurance policies and phone numbers.
- Photographs of the entire exterior of the building.
- Photographs of architectural detail of each room.
- Drawings or blueprints of the structure with specific locations of
combustible materials indicated.
- Accurate electrical plans.
- Mortgage records and copies of contracts.
- Updated list of personal property including receipts, serial numbers,
photographs and video when possible.
- Forms to fill out for advice, assistance, building permits, etc. Phone
numbers of contractors, painters, plumbers, carpenters, roofers and suppliers.
D. Tools and Equipment for Demolition, Repairs and Rescue
- Hammers and nails
- Wrenches, vise grips, pliers (adjustable and needle nose)
- Screwdrivers (straight blade and Phillips in various sizes)
- Wood saws
- Hand drills or battery operated drills with bits
- Hack saw with blades
- Utility knife with extra blades
- Crowbar, axes
- Rope
- Folding rule or retractable tape measures
- Sledgehammer
- Staple gun and staples
- Ladder
- Several pairs of heavy work gloves
- Safety glasses
- Chain saw (exercise extreme caution when operating a chain saw. wear
protective glasses and clothing)
E. Supplies and equipment for Debris Removal and Interior Clean up
- Low sudsing detergents
- Sanitizers
- Fungicides
- Disinfectants
- Ample amounts of safe household cleaners; especially ammonia
- Several pairs of rubber gloves
- Brooms / Dust pans
- Mops, buckets
- Shovels
- Scrub brushes
- Sponges and rags or cloths
- Water hoses and nozzles
- Disposable containers or bags for trash
- Rakes and clippers for lawn debris removal
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