We are still in the middle of our hurricane season and if you watch TV, listen to the news, or read a paper, hurricanes have become more deadly every year. Just look at Puerto Rico. Five years after Hurricane Maria smashed the island, along came Hurricane Fiona last week which had dumped up to 30 plus inches of rain in the southern locations, and 6-20 inches in the northern sections of the island. Some 80 percent of the electric grid was shut down and there was a lack of potable water.
So far our island hasn’t seen any activity, but we are not done with the future possibility of a hurricane affecting our area. We surely need the rainfall, but not necessarily from a severe weather event.
Preparing your home for such an event is important to eliminate and minimize any major problems that might occur. The following are items that you should have on hand in advance:
1.) Flashlight and a good supply of batteries
2.) Gas generator and 5-10 gallons of gas (for lights, refrigerator, etc.)
3.) A few gallons of water and a bucket
4.) Candles and matches (or electric lighter)
5.) Blankets in case of lack of heat during a blackout
6.) Non-perishable food items
7.) First aid kit
8.) Battery-powered radio
9.) Sandbags
10.) Shovels and road salt (maybe consider a snowblower)
11.) Required medications
12.) Hand sanitizers and wipes
You can add any other items that you deem necessary for you and your family. Whether a hurricane or major snow event, being prepared for emergencies will be most beneficial in making your situation a bit easier or even save your life! Also, make sure you have a full tank of gas.
There are other preparations that you should be aware of if you own a home or even rental property. Make sure all outdoor furniture is now well secured or stored away. Take care of any roof repairs as needed. Have you or your gardener cleaned out all the accumulated debris from your gutters and leaders? Clogged gutters and leaders will potentially cause severe damage if water gets behind the soffits, creating problems inside your interior ceilings and walls.
Also, make sure your leaders drain far enough away from your foundation that water doesn’t get into your basement or crawl space. If you have windows in your basement, purchase some type of fitted plastic bubble to cover over your window well to keep water from accumulating to keep water from getting into your basement.
For those with moisture issues, as many do on the North Shore of Long Island, use of a dehumidifier will greatly minimize those issues and keep them in check. Are there any major tree limbs overhanging your home that could snap and cause damage during a hurricane? When the ground gets too saturated during a storm, some older large trees could fall. If there are any near your home, the cost of removal would be something to consider.
This check list of sorts holds true for your investment rental properties. Consider your tenants an investment that is hopefully benefiting you now and in the future. My suggestion is to create and email them a punch list of items that they should possess in advance of severe weather, no different from what you would do for your home.
It is crucial that you should also go over your homeowner insurance policy and ask questions of your insurance agent as to whether your coverage is adequate with respect to weather-related damages. Would an umbrella policy over and above your regular coverage be something that would be of benefit?
Keeping you and your family safe is always of utmost importance. However, being proactive and minimizing damage to your property will always come back to you in savings and preserving the value of your real estate.
I want to wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday.
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Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years of experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S) as well as the new “Green Industry” Certification for eco-friendly construction and upgrades. For a “FREE” 15 minute consultation, a value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: [email protected] or via https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com Just email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your ideas or suggestions on future columns with your name, email and cell number and he will call or email you back.
