By David Wilhite
In any given year, during the months of June through November, an average of three hurricanes will strike the United States. In 1995, hurricanes accounted for more than 100 deaths and caused billions of dollars in damage. National Weather Service experts agree that science will never provide a full solution to hurricane safety. The question is: How can self-storage facility owners operating on vulnerable coastlines protect themselves and their business operations from harm?
Since coastal areas are vulnerable to storms, facility owners in those areas should enter each hurricane season prepared. Aside from such basic safety issues as having an evacuation plan in place and stockpiling emergency supplies, you should be absolutely certain you have appropriate insurance coverage in place to protect your business in case of disaster. Don't gamble on luck to protect you--the price you pay will be much higher in the long run.
Your first step is to secure adequate insurance coverage. In addition to protecting your business from hurricane- and wind-induced damage, a complete insurance package should also include loss-of-business income coverage and extra-expense coverage to protect your finances in the event of a loss. (Smart shoppers, take note: Your best bet is to purchase property coverage on a special-form basis, which also protects against hail, smoke, explosion and other perils unless the policy specifically excludes them.)
Once your coverage is in place, there are a several other steps you can take to prepare against disaster. If you own a camcorder, you can videotape the interior and exterior of your facility, describing each item as you record it (be sure to store the tape in a secure location away from your premises). Alternately, you can prepare a list of your valuables with photos. Either method can save a great deal of time and trouble when making a claim.
Once a hurricane watch has been issued, precautions should be taken immediately to protect your facility. Board up windows or secure them with storm shutters, and brace all exterior doors shut. Secure any loose objects surrounding the area, such as trash cans, signs, etc., so they don't become flying missiles. Unplug electrical items and shut off gas lines--hurricanes moving inland can cause severe flooding, which brings attendant risks of fire and electrocution. Above all, play it safe. Monitor the progress of the storm through National Weather Service advisories and be prepared to evacuate the area immediately. Hurricane warnings may be issued only hours before a storm strikes, so plan your time accordingly. Avoid any last-minute rush that may leave you stranded if disaster threatens, and stay calm.
After the storm passes, call your insurance company as soon as possible to report a claim. Avoid the temptation to sightsee affected areas--you may be mistaken for a looter. Carry valid identification, along with proof of residency and your business license. Drive carefully through debris-strewn areas, and watch for fallen power lines, especially in areas with standing water. Enter your business with caution. Don't use matches in case of gas leaks, and don't use electricity until your business has been checked by proper authorities. If the area in which your facility is located in is heavily affected, it could take two to four weeks or longer before local roads are cleared and the area opened to the public.
A catastrophic loss can deliver a knockout punch that can devastate your financial future. Don't put yourself at risk.
In addition to loss-of-income and extra-expense coverages, Universal Insurance Facilities Ltd. offers a complete package of coverages specifically designed to meet the needs of the self-storage industry. For more information, or to get a quick, no-obligation quote, write P.O. Box 40079, Phoenix, AZ 85067-0079; call 800.844.2101; fax 480.970.6240; e-mail [email protected]; www.vpico.com/universal.
Hurricane Facts
Hurricane-storm intensity is ranked on a scale ranging from minimal (little or no damage to area structures; minimal damage to signs, trees and shrubbery; and minimal flooding) to catastrophic (buildings extensively damaged or destroyed; trees uprooted; full evacuation of the affected area). Hurricanes have historically been given proper names since storms typically last a week or longer and more than one storm can occur at the same time. According to historians, the practice of giving proper names to hurricanes originated in the early 1900s by a weather forecaster who named the storms after politicians he disliked. |
There
are two areas in the continental United States in which hurricanes occur:
the Atlantic basin, which stretches along the Atlantic coastline from the
Texas gulf to the upper tip of Maine; and the northeast Pacific basin. The
official hurricane season in the Atlantic basin dates from June 1 to the
end of November, with peak activity in September; although hurricane
activity has been known to occur slightly out of season, typically during
May and December. In the Pacific basin, hurricane season is a year-round
event, with peak activity in February and March.
