Residents along the Southeast coast should act fast to protect themselves against Hurricane Dorian, a Category 2 hurricane that is set to make landfall on Labor Day. Attorney Bill Voss explains the potential damage the hurricane could cause, as well as what people can do to prepare their homes, businesses, and families to weather the storm.
Hurricane Dorian Compared to Hurricane Andrew in Potential Losses
Although Dorian is currently a Category 2 storm, an AccuWeather senior meteorologist has warned that it could strengthen as it approaches the U.S. coast, causing damage and losses similar to Hurricane Andrew. Andrew caused over $27.3 billion in damage to Florida and Louisiana in 1992, killing 65 people and bringing widespread flooding with wind speeds up to 165 mph. If the storm gathers enough speed, flooding and property damage could extend from Florida and Georgia all the way to North and South Carolina.
How to Prepare for the Arrival of Hurricane Dorian
The National Hurricane Center has urged residents in the affected areas to have a hurricane plan in place, listen for weather warnings and evacuation notices on local TV and radio, and always heed the advice given by local emergency officials.
Residents along the coast should be prepared for:
- High winds. Hurricane Dorian currently has maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, which are only expected to increase. Residents can protect their structures from wind damage by installing shutters or plywood over windows.
- Power outages. Hurricane-force winds are likely to cause power outages that could continue for days or even weeks after the storm has passed. If you are staying in the area, you should have seven days' worth of food and water, a first-aid kit, battery-operated flashlight, and battery charger for your cellphone.
- Flooding. Dorian is projected to bring several feet of rain and storm surge that could create exceptionally high coastal flooding. These floods could move further inland than usual. Families should have a firm evacuation plan to avoid attempting to leave in fast-moving floodwaters or after roads are washed out.
Residents are also urged to check their insurance policies to get an idea of their potential recovery after the storm. Please feel free to learn more about hurricane damage and insurance claims in our articles, or order a free copy of our book, Your Essential Guide to Residential Claims.
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