With Mother Nature unleashing its fury in the form of devastating flooding and deadly tornado outbreaks just four months into 2024, it is obvious that severe weather can strike at any moment.
Unfortunately, most of us are not prepared, emotionally or financially.
Ohio storm victim Jenny Beverage, surveying the damage to her home in March, said it was "definitely an eye opener when I saw it after daylight."
So far, the National Weather Service reports around 200 tornadoes touching down in 2024 preliminary data.
And this past week, heavy rains flooded homes across the Midwest.
It left Jim Comadecca and Lindsay Stricker of Cincinnati with a mud-filled home.
"The walls, the carpet," Comadecca said, "and I had some music equipment damaged as well."
Worse, their insurance agent explained that since they don't carry flood insurance, "they don't cover this type of storm damage when the water comes from the outside," Stricker said.
How to prepare yourself for a disaster
Fifty-seven percent of Americans have faced unexpected costs due to extreme weather over the past decade for home repairs, along with hidden costs like hotel rooms, rental cars, laundromats and food.
That's why experts recommend you have a plan in place to prepare and recover from natural disasters.
Licensed insurance agent and Bankrate analyst Shannon Martin said, "the first step is to know what natural disasters can impact you."
She said you need to understand your insurance coverage as it relates to your climate, whether you are in a tornado-prone, flood-prone, hurricane-prone or fire-prone area.
Next:
- Keep financial documents safe by storing them in a fireproof lockbox or safe deposit box.
- Take photos or video of furniture, electronics and valuables.
- Have the name of a trustworthy contractor on hand.
- Always work on your emergency fund.
Then, if severe weather impacts you, take extensive notes and photos, and file an insurance claim right away.
Martin said the sooner you apply for financial assistance, the better.
"Those funds don't stay there forever, they deplete very quickly," she said.
Lastly, reach out to friends and local agencies.
"We've had a lot of people offer to help us," storm victim Jenny Beverage said.
That was the most helpful of all.
And that way, you don't waste your money.
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