Hurricane and storm preparation and insurance


Tropical Tidbits, official NHA forecast, 9/4/17.

(See sidebar of this blog for links to weather information websites.)

Neighbor Lynne, a new resident to Florida, asked some good hurricane prep questions because of Irma, still 8+ days out from today, September 4, 2017.

The tracking models help so much, though there is uncertainty about exact hits and effects. So, without stress (at least a lot of it after Harvey), we take the steps NOAA advises. This is the check list we use. Find the complete hurricane planning sheet HERE.



FLOOD INSURANCE?
I've lived in Central Florida 30+ years (not consecutive) and know that September is peak hurricane season for our area. Twenty of those years were on Longboat Key where mandatory evacuation is ordered when warnings are issued.

Wildewood's development included many retention ponds, where we see its level rise and fall during downpours and drought. This is not only good for wildlife and our enjoyment, its function helps us during storms.

One of the advantages of living in Wildewood is that we are not in a place designated as requiring flood insurance. However, heavy and prolonged downpours do flood some areas of WWIIA. So, we are identified as a GREEN or D evacuation zone. That means that we might be asked to evacuate, or even mandated to evacuate.

There are 5 evacuation zones, A, B, C, D, E. Wildewood IIA is 22 feet above sea level and these zones are determined by proximity to sea level.

I wondered and asked my insurance agent if our policy covers hurricanes and storms. We chose to have flood insurance, though it is not required. (Costs about $300 a year.) The reason: water rising is covered under a flood policy and water falling is covered under a Homeowner's policy. Storm water can come through the roof or from flooding. We have not needed to file a claim while living in Wildewood.

GUTTERS AND DRAINAGE
A new stormwater path helps drain Cluster 2's parking lot. The Grounds Committee continues to gain information about Wildewood IIA's gutters and drainage for the interested and ready-to-act Board members.