Hurricanes are powerful storms that can have a devastating impact on property owners.
Hurricanes are storms with sustained winds over 74 MPH and are categorized 1-5 (with 5 being the rarest and worst), depending on the wind speed. Hurricanes will often cause roof damage to houses and buildings due to high winds and heavy rain from these powerful storms.
Hurricane effects vary depending on the location of landfall and your proximity to the coast. Hurricanes always include wind hazards as well as significant water hazards like flooding or erosion caused by storm surges. In some cases, trees may be toppled over and knocked onto homes. Electric power lines can become dislodged and fall to the ground, creating life-threatening risks from exposed lines.
The HazardHub API HazardHub provides scores and grades to determine the hurricane risk of any property in the USA.
What can I do to protect my property from a Hurricane?
- Brace windows with shutters or boards on the inside of the home. These temporary safety measures can be removed once hurricane winds have subsided.
- Install storm window film that is specifically designed for hurricanes; this will help prevent a window from shattering.
- Install hurricane clips on the roof of your home, which will help secure loose shingles and tiles to prevent them from flying away during high winds.