Hurricane and Earthquake Preparedness: A Basic Guide for Historic Property Owners If you have the proper equipment, thorough records of your property and a comprehensive insurance policy, you will be as well prepared as possible for the next natural disaster. In addition, the following information and checklists outline precautions you can take now to reduce your risk. So purchase several water-tight containers and stock them now for use in an emergency. A Hurricane Insurance Checklist Things You Should Know and Do Before a Hurricane Hits Emergency Preparedness Checklists After the Hurricane Evacuation Routes From Charleston A Hurricane Insurance Checklist Did you know? ♦ Insurance companies will not issue new homeowners policies or increase coverage once an area has been placed under a hurricane watch or warning by the National Weather Service. ♦ Flood insurance, which is issued by the National Flood Insurance Program, has an automatic 30-day waiting period. ♦ Flood insurance policies do not automatically provide contents coverage nor do they automatically provide coverage for outbuildings. ♦ Flood policies for primary residences do not have a co-insurance clause. Depreciation will be taken into consideration at the time of loss if your residence is not insured to within 80 percent of its replacement clause. Flood policies covering condominium regimes have an 80 percent co-insurance clause. Ask yourself- ♦ Are your present policies adequate and current? ♦ Is your property insured for its replacement value? All homeowner’s policies have an 80 percent co-insurance clause that will penalize you when you file a claim if you do not insure your property to within 80 percent of its replacement cost. ♦ If you own a condominium unit, do you have your Betterments and Improvements covered adequately for all losses, including flood? Does your unit owner’s policy have an adequate amount of Loss Assessment Coverage to protect you in the event there is inadequate coverage for your regime? Things You Should Know and Do before a Hurricane Hits Before a hurricane, you should know… ♦ The elevation of your property above sea level, to assess flood-stage information. For your elevation, ask your insurance agent or refer to your flood insurance policy. Ask your agent if you should move your belongings upstairs or purchase more flood insurance. ♦ Your evacuation route to safety; pay special attention to low points and flooding history of streets. ♦ The phone numbers of where you plan to go. Let relatives and neighbors know your travel plans, as well as cell phone numbers where you can be reached. ♦ Your nearest designated shelter. Call Emergency Preparedness, 554-5951, for information. Find out what you should and should not bring with you. Note that many shelters do not allow pets. What to do . In the Event of a Hurricane Watch In the Event of a Hurricane Warning If You Choose or Are Ordered to Evacuate A Hurricane Watch A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions may threaten an area within 24 hours. It does not mean that a hurricane is imminent. Stay tuned for weather bulletins. In addition, you should… • Listen to what local officials are advising on radio or TV bulletins. • Fill you car with gas and have it serviced if necessary. • Get extra cash from the bank. • Stock up on canned goods, a manual can opener and prescription medicines. • Check batteries in radios and flashlights. • Secure loose items in yards and protect windows with shutters or plywood. • If you have shutters, make sure they are fastened securely, either open or closed. Flying shutters caused tremendous damage during Hurricane Hugo. • Make sure the access hatch to the roof, if you have one, is secured. • Have candles, matches, a lantern and fuel ready. • Make provisions for your pets. Do not leave them outside. • Fully stock your first-aid kit with bandages, adhesive tape, anti-bacterial creams, scissors, iodine, aspirin and other necessary medications. A Hurricane Warning A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in your area within 24 hours or less. You should… • Follow evacuation instructions from local officials. • Leave low areas that might be affected by storm surge flooding. • Fill containers, including your bathtubs, with water. Fill any available containers, such as plastic milk cartons, with water. Place as many as possible in your freezer. Not only will you have more ice, you will extend the time that your frozen foods will remain cold. • Bring pets indoors and have plenty of pet food and water on hand. • Unplug small appliances. • Turn refrigerator and freezer to maximum cold and open the door only when necessary. • Put small boats under cover, secure and fill with water to make heavy. • Be alert for tornadoes, which often accompany hurricanes. If You Evacuate . Evacuation Routes • Travel as early as possible, preferably in daylight. • Be sure you are going to a location that can accommodate your family and pets. • If you have pets, pack ample pet food and bowls for water. • Do not travel farther than necessary. • Close all interior doors. • Lock all windows and doors. • Do everything you can to protect your property from damage, loss or vandalism. • If you live in a flood-prone area, take what you can upstairs and put what you must leave downstairs on cinder blocks, brackets or whatever else you might have handy. • Cover all valuables with tarpaulin. • Carry survival supplies (i.e. first-aid kit, canned provisions with manual can opener and utensils, bottled water for six days, medications, eyeglasses, hearing aid and batteries). • Keep important documents with you at all times, including driver’s license, Medic-Alert or device to explain special medical needs, insurance policies, and a household inventory. • Take warm and protective clothing. Long before a hurricane threatens, seek professional advice for the proper storm preparation for your collections and fine art, using correct procedures and materials for packing and moving. Emergency Preparedness Checklists Purchase supplies and safely store now, so that they will be available in an emergency. Construction Materials Emergency Equipment Documents Tools and Equipment for Demolition, Repairs and Rescue Supplies and Equipment for Debris Removal and Interior Clean Up Construction Materials Plywood for covering or replacing windows Nails, screws Assorted fasteners to tie shutters closed if they will not secure in the closed position Tapes (masking, duct, electrician’s) Glue Twine and cord Plastic tarps to protect against leaks until roof can be repaired Binding wire Plenty of tarpaulins Houses in the historic district would have sustained less than half of the damage caused by Hurricane Hugo had homeowners been prepared to cover their damaged roofs with adequate tarpaulins immediately after the storm. Emergency Equipment Emergency gasoline-powered electrical generator Portable lights (to be powered from the generator if available) Emergency lights with extra batteries Flashlights with extra batteries Lanterns with extra lantern fuel; know how to use these safely Candles and matches in a waterproof container Fire extinguishers (ABC-type recommended) Battery-operated AM/FM radio with extra batteries CB radio with extra batteries Extension cords Cooking grill with charcoal in a waterproof container or gas grill with full tank in a secured location Bottled water to last your family for a week Full tank of gasoline in car Canned goods and non-perishable foods, manual can openers and utensils Containers for water for uses other than drinking (i.e. washing utensils, bathing, etc.) Fully stocked first-aid kit Documents Current insurance policies and phone numbers Photographs of entire exterior of building Photographs of architectural detail of each room Drawing or blue print of structure with specific locations of combustible materials indicated Accurate electrical plans Mortgage records and copies of contracts Updated list of personal property including receipts, serial numbers, photographs and videotapes when possible Forms to fill out for building permits Phone numbers of contractors, painters, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, suppliers Copies of these documents should be kept in more than one location (i.e. office, safety deposit box and home). Place all documents, photographs and tapes in waterproof containers. Store in highest possible spot of building. Tools and Equipment for Demolition, Repairs and Rescue Hammers and nails Wrenches, vise grips, pliers (adjustable and needle nose) Screwdrivers (straight blade and Phillips head in various sizes) Wood saws Hand drills with bits (power saws and drills can be used if a source of electricity, such as a generator, is assured) Hack saw with blades Utility knife with extra blades Crowbar, axes Rope Folding rule or retractable tape measures Sledgehammer Staple gun and staples Ladder Several pairs of heavy work gloves Safety glasses Chain saw (exercise extra caution when operating a chain saw, especially in a storm-ravaged environment; wear protective glasses and clothing) Supplies and Equipment for Debris Removal and Interior Clean Up Low sudsing detergents Sanitizers Fungicides Disinfectants Ammonia Ample amounts of safe household cleaners Several pairs of rubber gloves Brooms, dust pans Mops, mop buckets Shovels Scrub brushes Sponges and rags Bucket and tubs Water hoses and nozzles Disposable containers or bags for trash Rakes and clippers for lawn debris removal Most importantly,