Here in the UK, it may feel that we don’t have the extremes of weather that some other countries around the world have. However, we do still suffer from storms, and storm damage is something that needs to be on our radar.
So much so that some areas of the country are taking some big steps to ensure that their local area is protected against the side effects from a storm, flood protection in particular.
Good examples of this are Yalding and Fremlin Walk in Maidstone, which lie on the River Medway in Kent. In 2013 these areas experienced unprecedented flooding and storm damage due to extreme weather. Many homes and businesses suffered greatly that December. A lot has been done since the awful floods to protect those who live and work in the area.
In fact, it is believed that along the entire River Medway more than £19m has been spent over the past 5 years.
But what about you? What can you do to protect your own property against storm and flood damage?
Let’s take a look at some of the main points that you need to consider.
Take a video of your belongings and everything in your home
When a storm hits and your home is flooded, there is a good chance that not only your actual home will be damaged, but also the things that are within it. It can be hard to prove exactly what you had in your property after a storm and the condition it was in, which means that you are going to need to find some way of making the process that little bit easier.
A great idea is to make a video of your home on your smartphone, giving a running commentary to show everything that is within it and what should be covered by your insurance policy. This video should then be sent to a friend, relative or someone who doesn’t live in the same property as you. It is best sent via WhatsApp as it will be protected and encrypted, then saved on a service such as Google Drive as this will make sure that you can find it easily and send it to your insurance company.
Secure your home when you hear about a storm
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding or you know that a storm is on the way, then you are going to need to make sure that you do what you can to secure your home and what is inside it. As a storm comes in it is vital that you fasten and close all of your doors, windows and entrances as well as move anything away from the windows (both inside and outside) that could cause them to become broken. You can also take steps to construct barriers to stop floodwater from being able to enter the property including sealing the walls in the basement too.
Keep yourself safe
Whilst it is important to keep your property safe during a storm, it is also important that you keep yourself and your family safe too. You should try and stay inside as much as you can during the storm, only going outside if you absolutely have to. If you do venture outside then you should make sure that you close everything behind you and that you leave your property secure.
Extreme storms and weather are luckily not frequent events, but it is best to be prepared as best you can. Especially when winter is fast approaching.
If you require any further advice regarding your home, business or contents insurance please don’t hesitate to get in touch.