The month of August represents roughly the half way point of hurricane season with still three months to go. Mark Hanna with the Insurance Council of Texas provides an update of the 2015 hurricane season. Hanna pointed out it has been a relatively quiet hurricane season with now Tropical Storm Danny in the Atlantic only the fourth named storm, none of which has reached hurricane status to this point. That stated even Tropical Storm Bill which hit southeast Texas dumped a large amount on the area including almost 15 inches on Buna showing the effects that are possible from any passing tropical storm.
The 2015 Hurricane Season has been a rather mild one so far with only four named storms. Hanna said forecasters are predicting fewer tropical storms than normal this season possibly because of the El Nino effect. Hanna advised that the El Nino effect probably is the reason for fewer tropical storms this summer, but adds that forecasters are calling for an increase in rainfall after the hurricane season is over.
It only takes one tropical storm though to wreck devastation, so Hanna encourages citizens in southeast Texas be ready with an updated evacuation plan and proper insurance coverage for their property. With three months to go in this year’s hurricane season, Hanna suggests checking now to make sure you are covered in the event of a more severe tropical storm hitting this area. Hanna thinks a call to your insurance agent to make sure your property is covered in the worst case scenario such as a tree falling through your house or flooding occur that could damage your home. You may need to rebuild your home and that’s what you want from your insurance coverage according to Hanna.
Forecasters are calling for a mild hurricane season this year. It takes only one hurricane to change that forecast if you are in the area hit by that storm. Hanna recommends covering yourself and your property before a hurricane develops. Hanna reminds that once a tropical storm enters the Gulf of Mexico insurance companies will not issue any kind of wind policies and that flood insurance takes 30 days to go into effect. Do not wait until a storm is imminent to get your property insured, by that time it’s just too late. Hurricane Season runs officially another three months until the end of November.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
Social Media