Erin Bendig
With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasting an above-normal hurricane season — with more storms expected to develop and intensify — concerns about natural disasters and preparedness are top of mind for many Americans.
As a resident of storm-prone central Florida for close to 40 years, Rich Franco prepares for pretty much anything Mother Nature throws his way. He has two generators at the ready, one with 5,500 kilowatts of power and a second with 9,500.
He keeps important papers and family photos in plastic bins, and valuable artwork is earmarked for a protected closet, along with hard drives and his desktop. As for Franco’s lawn, it might not be flood-proofed, but it’s close, thanks to a drainage trench he dug in 2004 after four hurricanes hit the Sunshine State in just six weeks.
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“It was one of the most depressing times of my life,” says Franco, who spent 10 days in a dark house without power as temperatures outside soared past 80 degrees. During the day, he picked up branches and drove around looking for ice; at night, he slept on his porch.
Franco, 74, says the experience was bad enough when he was 55, but today, it’s one he can’t imagine repeating.
“That stress, you don’t want it, especially as a senior. When you’re younger, you’re oblivious to the potential. You think if it’s bad, I’ll get out. By being prepared, instead of being 100% stressed, I’m 50% (to) 60% stressed."
How to prepare for a hurricane, wildfires or other natural disasters — a checklist
How do you get ready for a natural disaster? Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.
Whether it’s a hurricane, wildfire or flood, the key to staying safe is planning ahead. The best time to start is before the threat is near. Begin with a simple step-by-step plan you can build on over time.
Here are five ways to prepare early for any natural disaster:
- Arrange for a place to meet family, friends and pets.
- Know how you'll communicate, where you'll go and practice that escape plan.
- Put together a document with emergency contacts, a list of physicians, any special needs or limitations you have and insurance information.
- Pack a seven-day supply of medications and food, and seven days’ worth of cash.
- Prepare a “Go Bag” with important papers in waterproof containers, a flashlight, batteries, a first aid kit, canned foods and a can opener, a NOAA weather radio and water, among other items.
For more in-depth guidance, several trusted organizations offer detailed checklists and emergency planning tools to help you prepare for natural disasters and weather-related emergencies.
Here are a few of the most comprehensive resources available:
- AARP Weather Safety Checklist
- FEMA Disaster Supplies Checklist
- CDC Natural Disasters and Severe Weather Guides
- Red Cross Hurricane Supply List
Some places are more prone to specific types of calamities than others — wildfires in the West, and hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, for example. Here are some specific items that might be more relevant to note, depending on where you live:
How to prepare for wildfires
- Be sure you have the right number of smoke alarms for your house. Test them monthly, and replace the batteries annually.
- Make sure your roof has a Class A rating for fire resistance.
- Clear potentially flammable items from your lawn.
- Store flammable materials in safe containers away from the house.
- Use fire-resistant materials for repairs.
- To make your house more visible in smoke, turn on outside lights and leave a light on in every room.
- Wear an N95 mask to protect your lungs.
How to prepare for a hurricane
- Know the difference between a hurricane watch — typically announced 48 hours ahead of tropical-force winds — and a hurricane warning, which is more serious.
- Put outdoor furniture and lawn items into storage.
- Move your furniture and valuables to high floors.
- Fill plastic bottles, bathtubs and sinks with clean water.
- Fill your car’s gas tank.
- Clear rain gutters.
- Use storm shutters or nail pieces of plywood to outside window frames.
- Be ready to turn off your power.
- Stay away from windows.
How to prepare for tornadoes and twisters
- Remove heavy items stored on high shelves, and make sure any toxic substances are stored safely.
- Know the difference between a tornado watch — which means a tornado is possible — and a tornado warning — which means the twister is already underway or will be soon. Know your area’s warning sirens for each.
- Designate an area of your home as a shelter, preferably an underground or windowless room. Keep blankets handy to shield yourself.
- If you live in a mobile home, be sure you have a place to which you can evacuate.
- If you're in a car when a tornado is approaching, don't try to drive away. Get out of the vehicle and take shelter in a nearby building.
- If there isn’t time to get to a building, get out of the car and find a ditch or low area away from the vehicle.
Older Americans could be at particular risk, since they tend to retire to coastal areas that are vulnerable to flooding, and to the rural West, which is plagued by wildfires.
During 2018’s Camp Fire in California, the average age of the 85 people who died was 72. The victims of Hurricane Ian, which shredded many of Florida’s beachfront towns in 2022, were overwhelmingly 60 or older.
With more chronic illnesses and mobility issues, seniors can also find it more physically and emotionally challenging to evacuate ahead of or during an emergency. Many seniors live alone and worry about their safety, whether they choose to leave or stay behind, but feel they have little choice, given their health issues.
Yet, many retirees and non-retirees drag their feet when it comes to preparing for the worst.
Only 40% of adults ages 50 to 80 have spoken with family members or a friend about an evacuation plan, a little more than half have a seven-day supply of food and water, and fewer than half have signed up to receive local emergency news, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, from the University of Michigan.
Consider natural disaster insurance
It's important that you have homeowners insurance, and that you review your policy with your agent so you understand what is and isn't included.
Depending on where you live, consider separate or enhanced policies that cover different emergencies.
Flood and earthquake policies are always separate from standard homeowners insurance. Learn more about flood insurance on FEMA's Floodsmart website, and the California Department of Insurance has more information on earthquake insurance.
You might be able to minimize claims and get a discount on your insurance if you make upgrades that improve your house’s defenses against disasters. If there are upgrades that will make your house safer, such as permanent storm shutters, make them as soon as possible.
For people who can’t afford policies with all the bells and whistles, there are a few strategies to bring down the cost, says Amy Bach, executive director of United Policyholders, an advocacy group that helps consumers settle homeowner-policy claims.
- Reduce your contents coverage, which insures personal items such as jewelry, art and computers.
- Trim coverage for structures you can live without, such as a covered garage or tool shed.
- Consider an “actual cash value” policy, rather than the standard “replacement cost” policy, if money is very tight, Bach says. In an actual cash value policy, an insurer covers only the depreciated value of your home or belongings. It’s far from optimum, warns Bach, though better than no policy at all.
You might also want to brace yourself for negotiating with your insurer in the disaster’s aftermath. It's not uncommon for an insurance claims adjuster to say the cost to repair is X and your contractor says it's 3X, says Bach.
If that happens, start by trying to solve the issue yourself, she advises, noting that her organization will provide free guidance. Get an estimate in writing of the reasonable cost of repair from a professional, and use that to make your argument. Option two is to go to your state’s Department of Insurance, which will have a consumer division to assist you without a charge.
Alternatively, if you have the means, you can hire a professional to take over the fight. A reputable public adjuster will charge about 7% to 10% of what they recover, but will also know how to navigate the system.
Lawyers should be the choice of last resort, says Bach. “They don’t speak construction, and as soon as you hire one, the insurer will lawyer up, as well.”
Finally, for maximum peace of mind, invest in your community. Time and again, those with strong social connections fare better during disasters, regardless of age, income, or background.
If you’ve moved to a new area, especially in a high-risk region such as Florida, take the time to build relationships with your neighbors. In an emergency, those connections can make all the difference.
Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, our popular monthly periodical that covers key concerns of affluent older Americans who are retired or preparing for retirement. Subscribe for retirement advice that’s right on the money.
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