10 Disaster Preparedness Steps for Property Owners That Can Help Save Money

 

The United States has been pummeled by disasters, from flash floods to hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and earthquakes. Nobody in any region is immune. It’s time to take it seriously, be prepared, and put plans in place. 

Why Disaster Preparedness Matters 

Disasters are hitting densely populated areas more often due to their growing frequency and peoples’ desire to live in precarious places like oceanfront homes and woodsy enclaves. Climate change is super-charging storms, which are getting less predictable despite all the resources used to predict and track them. Consider these statistics:

• Six of the ten most expensive fire-related disasters in U.S. history have happened in the past 20 years.
• More than 1,300 tornadoes were recorded in a single year recently, each causing an average of $684,000 in damage.
• Over $45 billion was paid for national flood insurance policies for 10 hurricanes and major storms in the past 20 years. 

It’s one thing to have insurance, but those policies are for recovery, not preparedness. When major disasters strike, it can take weeks or months for insurance adjusters to arrive and even longer to get a payment and start rebuilding. Limit the damage to your property with a few proactive steps, and you’ll be miles ahead of those who don’t take action. For example, California state property owners know firsthand the damage these disasters can cause. Having insurance helps with recovery, but proactive preparation can significantly reduce damage and costs.

Benefits of Preparedness 

The old fable of the ant and the grasshopper was right: those who prepare are less likely to get caught in a bad situation. Watching your food and water supply dwindle, suffering without electricity, and waiting helplessly for rescuers are not inevitable situations.

When you’re prepared for a disaster:

• You’ll spend time more efficiently whether you evacuate or stay in place.
• You’ll avoid scrambling for scant resources like fuel and drinking water.
• You’ll suffer less and experience less downtime and loss of income.
• You’ll avoid the stress of worrying about your family members.

How Regular Inspections and Maintenance Play a Key Role in Effective Emergency Preparedness

If you own property, it is crucial to be aware of its structural condition and plan for potential problems proactively. For example:

• If you live in an area prone to wildfires, create a safe zone around your home by keeping brush, propane tanks, and other flammable materials at least 30 feet from buildings.
• If your property is in an area that experiences tornadoes, remove items from the property that may break loose and cause more damage.
• Know where electrical breakers and fuel and water shut-off valves are located and ensure they work properly.
• Keep your roof in good condition. It is your first defense against storms with strong winds or rain. 
• Get professional advice on floodplain areas nearby, and be prepared to create a barrier to protect your home from flooding.

Having safety and survival equipment is only the first step. These items must be kept in good working order. 

Preparing Your Property and Tenants for Various Disaster Scenarios

If you live in or own property in a municipal area, check for local information about emergency plans, including the location of shelters, evacuation routes, communications channels, and any supplies available (like bottled water, plywood sheets, canned food, batteries, etc.).

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Property owners in Virginia state and Hawaii state are most at risk from hurricanes. Hurricanes include destructive winds and torrential rain. Because they are ocean storms, they push water inland, causing flooding. To prepare for a hurricane:

• Buy and install storm shutters on your home if possible.
• Make sure your garage door is reinforced and storm-rated.
• Examine floodplain maps for your area to understand where water will likely enter the neighborhood and where it will pool. You may invest in sandbags for a berm to prevent water from rushing into your driveway.
• Clear gutters and drain spouts, creating a path for the water to move away from your house.
• Plan for a multi-day event of power outages, no water, and little communication. If you stay in place, have equipment and supplies for safely preparing food (including storing it at the proper temperature). A generator can keep one or two appliances running but is unlikely to maintain your whole-house air conditioning.
• After the storm, be cautious of downed power lines and flooded streets, which can pose serious hazards.

Fire Preparedness Checklist

 

Fires are becoming more common as people move into backcountry areas, where there are frequent droughts. To prepare for wildfires:

• Remove all flammable items from a 30-foot perimeter around your home.
• Plan well in advance by installing fire-resistant roofing materials.
• Create a “go bag” for your family that includes baby formula, medicines, a first aid kit, extra telephone battery, and breathing devices that filter out ash.
• Pay close attention to emergency announcements directing residents to leave their homes. Wildfires are unpredictable and can move quickly – they are deadly.

Flood Preparedness Checklist

Floods caused by torrential rain storms now happen in places that have never experienced them before. Most infrastructure (roads, bridges) are built to a standard that may not withstand climate change-caused flooding, leaving you stranded for days. Indiana state homeowners hardest hit by flooding should prepare:

• Grade your property to create drainage that pulls water away from structures.
• Invest in high-volume pumps for low areas, such as basements.
• Move valuables to higher floors.
• Elevate your vehicle on blocks or by moving it to a parking garage or higher ground.
• Having an evacuation plan is important. Floods happen quickly and can be deadly, cutting residents off from roads and emergency services.
• If you can’t evacuate, a generator and fuel to keep it running are important tools. A chainsaw for clearing debris is also helpful, but large pieces are best left to professionals.
• Beware of potential landslide areas, especially after a storm.

Extreme Heat Preparedness Checklist

Extreme heat is a meteorological event that builds over several days and can be very dangerous. Temperatures can melt roads and damage components of your home without proper preparation. To prepare:

• Thoroughly insulate your home to keep cool air in.
• Choose reflective materials for the roof and siding, particularly materials designed to withstand dangerous heat.
• Add reflective film to windows for additional heat deterrence.
• Use a digital thermostat to run air conditioning at consistent temperatures to reduce stress on components.
• Have the HVAC system serviced regularly, including changing belts and wiring that could suffer from long-term exposure to heat. Maintaining the system should reduce the potential for shutdowns during hot weather.
• If your home becomes uncomfortably hot, call for help or go to a shelter; severe heat can be dangerous.

Blizzard Preparedness Checklist

Blizzards can dump several feet of heavy snow in a brief period, bringing down power lines and slowing emergency services. Michigan state homeowners are in a region that is most susceptible to blizzard disasters. To prepare for a blizzard:

• Get your heating system serviced, including soot removal from the burner and a new nozzle if it’s oil heat. Gas systems should be inspected for corrosion and any worn wires that may interrupt service. 
• If a power outage and loss of heat are concerns, getting a generator is just one step. Generators can power space heaters, but you should hire an electrician in advance to enable running your furnace using a generator. 
• Take care of your roof, particularly the structural beams. If termites or other pests damage them, they may not be strong enough to handle heavy snow. Use a snow rake to remove heaps of snow over doorways and porches, as a sudden collapse can injure anyone below.
• Snow removal from driveways and walks poses its own challenge. Suburbanites with long driveways favor snowblowers, but these can be dangerous. It’s best to use a snowblower several times throughout a storm rather than all at once in deep snow.

Storm Preparedness Checklist

Take the following steps to prepare for storms that can damage your property and endanger your family:

• Evaluate property vulnerability. Assess weak points that might be affected by storms. This can include structural beams, poor drainage, hazardous accumulations of combustible material, or an aging roof.
• Understand your property insurance terms and limitations. You may need a rider to include sheds or buildings other than the main residence. Speak with your agent to confirm coverage for specific circumstances.
• Prepare an Emergency Kit or “go bag.” This should include daily medicines, a first aid kit, personal documents, food, and bottled water. Remember pet food, diapers, and baby formula if those apply. Plan for at least three days.

The Role of Maintenance and Regular Inspections in Emergency Preparedness

Regular property inspections and maintenance of your home’s systems can prevent emergencies and breakdowns. Technicians are trained to look for typical forms of wear and decay, likely catching problems before they become insurmountable. For example, reviewing properties listed on PropertyChecker provides insight into structural integrity and other essential aspects to keep your property safe.

The same is true for maintaining equipment you might only use a few times a year during emergencies. This includes chainsaws, snowblowers, generators, and space heaters. 

Equipment maintenance is drudgery, but the cost savings are real. The U.S. Department of Energy says homeowners can save 10-15 percent of their energy bill each year by properly maintaining heat and air conditioning systems. While money in your pocket is a nice thing, the maintenance habit pays dividends over time by extending the life of your appliances, reducing the need for expensive emergency repairs, and working properly when you need them, especially during severe weather.

Statistics and Facts

Property owners and business owners should take heed of proactive plans for disaster preparedness. Major weather-related disasters are growing in frequency and severity. In a recent year, the United States experienced 28 weather or climate disasters, each resulting in at least $1 billion in damages. If it hasn’t happened in your neighborhood yet, it’s only a matter of time. 

The good news is that businesses with disaster recovery plans recover 40 percent faster than those without one, reducing downtime and lost profits and productivity.

The backbone of preparedness is planning. Start now by following these steps:

• Understand the types of disasters likely to affect your area.
• Read through your insurance policies to understand coverage and your role.
• Review your property periodically to address issues and plan for strengthening it when getting a new roof, windows, or other components. 
• Hire an inspector or engineer to review the building’s structural integrity and any steps you can take to mitigate future threats. Additionally, you can check property records online to understand any past construction work, renovations, or improvements that might impact the property’s value or safety.
• Collect your personal documents related to your property and keep them in a fireproof safe.
• Schedule regular maintenance of home/property systems well in advance of peak seasons.
• Put aside a “go bag” for each member of the family.
• Provide emergency contact information and basic steps to take for employees, tenants, babysitters, and others on the property.

The US States with the Most and Least Natural Disasters

 

Some states experience more natural disasters than others due to geological and meteorological factors. California has had the most federal disasters declared, with 284, but Texas is close behind with 255. Oklahoma has had 173.

Hurricanes are common in coastal areas like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Tornadoes affect many Plains and Midwest states, including Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. It’s common for areas to be called “tornado alley” for the frequent storms they experience.

Wildfires have impacted larger-than-ever areas of states like California, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, and Montana.

Blizzards are common in the following states: Illinois, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Alaska, and Massachusetts.

Extreme heat is largely confined to desert-like areas in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and California, but pockets have also caused harm in Oregon and Washington.

States with the most natural disasters are California, Texas, Oklahoma, Washington, Florida, New York, New Mexico, Alabama, Colorado, Oregon, and Louisiana.