The official beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season in the U.S started on June 1st and will continue until November 30th. Although this year is predicted to be a relatively calm season, predictions are not always perfect, and it takes only one storm to cause a disastrous situation. The last major hurricane to hit Charleston was the infamous Hugo on September 22,1989. Hugo ripped through the Lowcountry with 140 mph winds at landfall and a 18 to 20 foot storm surge. Hugo left nearly 60,000 people homeless after destroying 5,100 homes and leaving more than 12,000 Lowcountry homes uninhabitable. Since 1980, the occurrence of weather related disasters has increased by more than 230 percent.
Local Allstate agency owner Kevin Shealey explains that along the South Carolina coast, insurance can be more complicated than other areas. He recommends that homeowners should review their policies with their agent at least annually to make sure they are properly covered. Flood policies are offered through The National Flood Insurance Program and can be purchased from most local insurance agents. Furthermore, in some areas of the Lowcountry, homeowners may need to purchase a separate policy for wind damage.
Kevin has lived in Charleston all of his life and remembers Hurricanes David, Hugo, and Floyd. He knows the devastation and emotions the local community goes through during a catastrophe. Kevin reassures, “My staff and I will be here along with the Allstate Catastrophe team to help put the pieces back together should we have another storm.”
So how does one prepare for hurricane season? One of the most important things you can do to prepare yourself for a serious property-threatening hazard is to take inventory of what you have in your home. Kevin points out that if you were to close your eyes and name everything you have in your home, you would likely forget some items. When you add in the stress and anxiety you may feel at the time of a loss, chances are, you will not remember as well as you can right now. To help supplement out memories, Allstate has developed an app called the Digital Locker, which can help you with your home inventory. It is free and available to anyone, even if you are not an Allstate customer. Visit Kevin's office at 781 Saint Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC, 29407 or call (843) 573-4777 for more information about how to get your home and valuables protected.
Interested in learning more about how to get prepared for the hurricane season?
The Allstate Foundation and Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, are bringing their 14-city disaster preparation tour and education campaign to Charleston with a booth at the City of Charleston’s First Day Festival. You can attend this free event where community volunteers and Allstate agency owners will work side-by-side to help hundreds of Charleston residents build free disaster kits they can use to keep safe in the event of a disaster or unforeseen emergency. The free kits include a hand-crank flashlight, first-aid kit, cleaning supplies, and other items proven to keep people safe and prepared. Volunteers will also help educate Charleston residents on the importance of preparedness.
The event will be held at the Charleston Maritime Center, 10 Wharfside St, Charleston, SC 29401. The Allstate booth will be set up during the City of Charleston’s First Day Festival on Sunday, August 16 from 1:00-4:00pm.
