Severe Weather Preparedness

We have seen some intense weather this week. High winds, loads of rain, flooding, hail, and  even tornadoes have been reported, and the forecast doesn't look much better. Weather can be unpredictable and extremely dangerous, but there are some steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. Continue reading for tips on what to do when encountering dangerous weather.

Tornado Safety

Know What To Do Before, During and After the Storm
Considered the most destructive force of nature, tornadoes can produce violent winds as high as 250 mph or more and leave merciless paths of destruction. In an average year, about 1,000 tornadoes are reported nationwide.

Although the peak tornado season runs from April to late July, tornados can strike during any season and at any time of the day or night. But there are steps you can take to help keep you and your family safe during a tornado.

Before a Tornado
Before a tornado, you should:

• Review your insurance policy with your agent to make sure you have sufficient coverage.
• Know the difference and help your children understand the difference between a tornado watch and warning.
  • Tornado watch: Current weather conditions could create a tornado, so be on the lookout for weather changes.
  • Tornado warning: A tornado has been sighted in your area. Seek shelter immediately, and listen to the radio for further updates. A warning is much more serious than a tornado watch.
• Prepare a tornado safety kit with your family to store in the basement or designated safety shelter. Include the following items:
  • Battery-operated transistor radio
  • Extra batteries
  • Flashlight
  • Candles
  • Matches
  • Blankets
  • Cash and/or credit cards
  • Spare house/car keys
  • Canned goods and other non-perishables
  • Manual can opener
  • First-aid kit
  • Medicines
  • Bottled water
  • Sturdy Shoes
  • Work gloves
  • Old textbooks to protect your head from debris
  • Important telephone numbers such as emergency contacts, local utility companies, your insurance agent, neighbors, landlords and your bank/credit union
• Generate an itemized inventory of your furnishings and personal belongings every two to three years, and store it in a safe place such as a fireproof box or safe deposit box at your bank. Erie Insurance’s Household Inventory Form can help you with this task.
• Know how to turn off utilities – water, gas and electricity – safely at their sources. Mark these on-off switches with identifying tape, or color-code them with a marker.
• Establish a safety route and common shelter where your family can meet if a tornado hits. Also, include a second way to exit each room or area of your home.

During a Tornado Warning
If there is a tornado warning issued for your area, you should:

• Seek shelter immediately.
• Go to a storm cellar, basement or the lowest level of your home/structure. If there is no basement or lower level, go to an inner hallway or smaller, interior room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.
• Go to the center of a room. Stay away from corners, as they tend to attract debris.
• Get underneath a piece of sturdy furniture, such as a heavy table or desk, and hold on to it. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• Stay tuned to a local radio station, and do not head outdoors until authorities declare an "all clear."

After a Tornado
After a tornado, you should:

• Help injured or trapped persons.
• Give first aid where appropriate.
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
• Avoid loose or dangling power lines, and report them immediately to the power company, police or fire department.
• Enter your home with caution. Beware of snakes, insects and animals driven to higher ground by floodwater.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
• Take pictures or video of any damage to your house and its contents for insurance claims. Make a list of all damaged and destroyed items.
• Assess the damage to your home, and make temporary repairs to prevent further destruction. Hold off on making permanent repairs until your insurance adjuster approves your reimbursement.
• Cover broken windows and damaged roof coverings immediately.
• Remove standing water from your home.
• Keep all receipts related to repairs and temporary housing.
• Drive only if absolutely necessary, and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
• Inspect utilities in a damaged home by following these steps:
  • Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. If possible, turn off the gas at the outside main valve, and call the gas company from a neighbor's home.
  • Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you must step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
  • Check for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using toilets until you call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using tap water. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

For more information on creating a family emergency plan and maintaining a supply kit, go to ready.gov. To help ensure that you have adequate insurance coverage, contact Baker Insurance.
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Hail Safety

Know What To Do Before, During and After the Storm
You may not immediately think of hail as a danger to your car or home, but large hailstones can shred roof coverings, dent house siding, scar automotive finishes and lead to water damage. In fact, research from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) indicates that more than 75 percent of U.S. cities will experience at least one hailstorm each year.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to potentially reduce losses and associated property ownership costs brought on by hailstorms.

Before Hail Occurs
Before the hailstorm, you should:

• Review your homeowner's insurance policy with your Agent to make sure you have sufficient coverage.
• Create a disaster preparedness plan that outlines the steps you and your family should take in the event of a hailstorm. Also, have an emergency survival kit on hand in case hail damages your roof, automobile or electrical service.
• Make sure your roof can stand up to the impact of hail. When building or re-roofing, especially in hail-prone regions, IBHS recommends using roofing products that have a Class 3 or 4 rating under the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2218 standard. The UL 2218 standard tests and rates a roof covering's resistance to free-falling hailstones. Roof coverings that show the most resistance earn a Class 4 rating; and ones that have the least earn a Class 1 rating. (Keep in mind that while the UL 2218 standard is the best method to test impact resistance, it isn't perfect and works better for some coverings than for others.)
• Ask your builder, roofer or insurance agent about which materials to use and what additional steps you can take to help your roof covering better stand up against hail and high wind. To cover all bases, you may also want to check your roofing materials for wind-resistant features and a fire-resistance rating.
• Make sure you are up-to-date with any needed roof repairs such as replacing worn, damaged or missing shingles.

During a Hailstorm
If a hailstorm is expected in your area, you should:

• Move inside immediately and stay there.
• Park vehicles in a garage or under a carport.
• Keep away from skylights, doors and windows in case hail shatters the glass.
• Close your drapes, blinds or window shades to prevent wind from blowing broken glass inside.
• If you're in a car, safely pull off the road, preferably under a bridge or highway overpass. If possible, turn away from or shield yourself from windows and glass as you wait for the storm to pass.

After a Hailstorm
After the hailstorm, you should:

• Be careful of broken glass that may have shattered during a hailstorm.
• If your property is damaged, report it to your ERIE Agent immediately, and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. You can also file your claim online.
• Beware of contractor fraud. Most contractors are reputable business people, but the dishonest ones may try to convince you that you have hail or other damage and need a new roof, even if your roof did not experience any damage at all.

For more information on creating a family emergency plan, go to ready.gov. To review your insurance coverage, contact Baker Insurance.

Flood Safety

​It’s been raining for hours or steadily for a few days. Are you prepared? Floods can occur within a few minutes or develop over several hours, causing devastating damage to your home or property. Your number one defense against any natural disaster, like flooding, is preparation.

Remember, your homeowner’s policy does not cover flood damage. You must purchase a separate policy. To help you protect your residence or commercial building, Contact Baker Insurance today to find how you can obtain this valuable coverage.

It's also important to know how to protect yourself by developing a flood safety plan. It’s important to know what to do before, during and after a flood.

Before a Flood

• Complete an itemized inventory of your personal belongings and store the information in a safe place such as a fireproof box or bank safe deposit box. If you're storing it in your home, be sure to place the box in a secure location, away from potential water areas.
• Find out if you live in a flood prone area from your local Red Cross chapter, emergency management office or local planning and zoning department.
• If you live in a flood prone area, collect supplies such as plastic sheeting, lumber, tools and sandbags to protect your home from possible damage.
• Make a safety kit that contains a flashlight and extra batteries, battery-powered weather radio, extra food and water, first-aid supplies, canned food and a can opener, water (three gallons per person), extra clothing and bedding.
• Plan a safety escape route in case you need to leave your home quickly.
• Watch for warning signs. Is it raining heavily? Is snow melting at a rapid pace? Are there concerns with rising rivers or tidal surges?

During a flood:

• During a flood watch, fill bathtubs, sinks and jugs with clean water in case the water supply becomes contaminated. Move furnishings and valuables to the highest point in your home.
• Keep your car fueled, so that you’re ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• When an evacuation is ordered during a flash flood warning, move to higher ground immediately.
• If time permits, turn off utilities: gas, electricity and water.
• Never walk through floodwaters; even 6 inches of rushing can sweep you away.
• If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and move to higher ground. Two feet of water will sweep away most cars.

After a flood

• Check for structural damage, loose power lines, gas leaks, foundation cracks or other damage before entering your home.
• If you suspect a gas leak or smell gas, leave your home immediately and call the gas company from a neighbor’s phone or cellular phone. Don't smoke or use candles or matches in your home until you’re sure there are no gas leaks.
• Be cautious when entering your home. If the door sticks at the top, it could mean your ceiling is ready to fall. Check your ceiling for signs of sagging before entering.
• Turn off the electricity. Even if the power company has turned off the electricity to the area, make certain you home's power supply is disconnected.
• Drain your basement in phases, allowing the water level around your property to recede. Structural damage could occur if the water is pumped out too quickly.
• Watch for animals (snakes) that may have entered your home with the floodwaters.
• Check your sump pump periodically.
• Discard any food or medicine exposed to the floodwaters.
• Move things off the floor and run fans and dehumidifiers.
• Replace gas control valves on furnaces, water heaters and other gas appliances that have been under water. Silt and corrosion from floodwaters can damage internal components and can cause an explosion or fire.
• Listen to your radio for information on assistance that may be provided by the state or federal government or other organizations.
• If you have well water, have the water tested before drinking.
• If mold is a problem in your home, you should promptly clean the area.

For information on flood insurance Contact Baker Insurance today!