June is the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the benefits that homeownership brings to families, neighborhoods, and communities across America. To learn more about National Homeownership Month, read the Presidential Proclamation.
June is also the beginning of the Gulf Hurricane Season. Lone Star Legal Aid joins National Homeownership Month by sharing resources for homeowners in the event of a natural disaster.
Hurricanes can produce dangerous conditions like winds in excess of 155 mph, tornadoes, flying debris, heavy rainfall, storm surges, floods, and mudslides. These conditions can severely damage and even destroy homes. Don’t wait for a hurricane, prepare yourself and your home with these tips:
Keep supplies handy. Dedicate storage for a three-day supply of water, dried or canned foods, and other essentials. Not sure what you need? Consult FEMA’s emergency supply list. Having the right supplies is among the top hurricane season tips.
Unplug electronics – even if you have a surge protector. This is the best protection against surge-related damage. Check for leaks. Check doors, windows, and walls, such as areas where cables and pipes enter, for openings that could allow water to penetrate.
Prepare for long-term outages. Consider purchasing a generator. It doesn’t have to be the pricey, whole-house version. Even one that’s big enough to run a refrigerator and plug in a few essentials can make life easier. Consider what you can’t live without if you were to be without electricity for a few days – such as a sump pump or well pump – and select a model that best fits your needs.
Trim trees and shrubbery. Trim back any branches touching your home. If they rub your roof, they could pull parts of it off in a storm. Keep trees well pruned to allow wind to pass through with minimal damage and debris. Consider re-grading around trees to strengthen the ground and give roots something to cling to.
Clean gutters. This could prevent potential roof damage and flooding inside your home.
Clear clutter. Get rid of items you are no longer using, which can turn into projectiles. Bring lightweight outdoor items, such as patio furniture, plants, toys, and trashcans inside.
Secure your home. Highly recommended are window shutters, roof clips, and garage door braces. Anchor fuel tanks as well. Ensure all items are professionally installed.
Verify insurance coverage. Avoid the wind and water debate. Check your homeowner’s policy and purchase additional flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program to ensure adequate protection.
These resources can help protect your home in the event of a storm:
What’s Your Home’s Flood Risk?
Insurance Steps
Home Repair Fraud
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of Southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well-being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those with disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. Lone Star Legal Aid does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
