It’s been an unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season, but the tropics are finally giving us something to keep an eye on.
Tropical Storm Isaias is currently in the Gulf of Mexico and could strengthen into a hurricane before approaching the Gulf Coast. While Huntsville, Athens, Madison, and the rest of North Alabama are a good distance from the beach, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re completely out of the conversation.
Tropical systems can bring heavy rain, strong wind gusts, downed trees, power outages, and severe weather well inland so now has never been a better time to ensure you’re prepared as Tropical Storm Isaias continues its path in the Gulf.
A Little Storm Prep Goes a Long Way
No need to clear the grocery store shelves of every loaf of bread in North Alabama. A few basics can make a big difference.
Make sure you have flashlights, fresh batteries, bottled water, medications, phone chargers or battery packs, and enough food to get through a potential power outage. It’s also worth securing patio furniture, grills, umbrellas, and anything else around the yard that could become airborne in strong winds.
And, of course, keep an eye on trusted local weather sources as the forecast develops.
This Is Also a Good Time to Know Your Insurance
You don’t necessarily need to pull out your entire homeowners policy and spend the evening reading insurance language—that’s what we’re here for.
But it is a good idea to know a few basics before bad weather arrives.
Depending on your policy, wind damage from things like falling trees or storm-related damage to your home may be covered. Your policy may also have a separate wind or named-storm deductible, so knowing what deductible applies before a claim happens can prevent surprises.
One important distinction: standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover flooding from rising surface water. Flood insurance is separate coverage.
If you’re not sure what your home insurance covers, what deductible you have, or whether you have flood coverage, give us a call or access your carrier’s website and mobile app to help determine.
If Storm Damage Does Happen
First and foremost, make sure everyone is safe.
Once conditions allow, take photos or video of the damage before making major repairs. If something needs immediate attention to prevent additional damage, like temporarily covering an opening in the roof, keep your receipts and document what was done.
Then reach out to your insurance carrier or give our team at JPI Agency a call. We can help point you in the right direction and make the claims process a little less overwhelming.
Your Hometown Agency Is Here
Living in North Alabama means we may not be sitting directly on the Gulf Coast, but we’ve certainly seen our share of severe weather.
At JPI Agency, we’re your local independent insurance agency serving Huntsville, Athens, Madison, and communities throughout the Tennessee Valley. Whether you have a question about your homeowners insurance, auto coverage, flood insurance, or simply aren’t sure what your policy says, we’re here to help.
Stay weather-aware, charge those phones, bring in the patio furniture and hopefully Isaias gives North Alabama nothing more than a little rain.
The Right Price. The Right Carrier. The Right Agency.
