Blog entries tagged weather

FEMA Extends the National Flood Insurance Program through Hurricane Season

Daphne Hager — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:41:38 +0100

On July 2, 2010, President Obama signed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010, H.R. 5569, which Congress passed on June 30, 2010. This now extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30, 2010, and is retroactive to cover the lapse period from June 1, 2010, to the date of enactment of the extension.

The passage of this extension is an especially welcomed relief to Southern US residents entering hurricane season and already drenched in heavy tropical rains.

According to FEMA, the passage of the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5569), reauthorizes extension NFIP until September 30, allowing currently stalled transactions, including existing policy renewals and new coverage purchases, to move forward. The bill is retroactive and covers the lapsed period from June 1, 2010, to the date of enactment of the extension. Any new policy applications or renewals that were signed and submitted during the lapsed period will be effective from the date of application. In the case of waiting periods, the waiting period will start from the date of application.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which works closely with nearly 90 private insurance companies, such as Nationwide, State Farm and Farmers, to offer flood insurance to property owners and renters. Rates are set and do not differ from company to company or agent to agent and depend on many factors, which include the date and type of construction of your home, along with your building’s level of risk.

All processing functionality has been restored to agents and applications and other requests submitted during the hiatus will now be processed. Newly submitted New Business, Endorsement requests, and Renewals will be processed upon receipt.

Home Ceiling Fans Help Beat the Summer Heat and Save Money

Daphne Hager — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:14:01 +0100

It's not so easy to stay cool in the midst of a boiling Texas summer, and if May's record breaking high temperatures are any indication, staying cool without breaking the bank will require a little improvising for many families.

Ceiling fans, according to a Home Depot fan expert, “produce a 'wind chill' effect, allowing you to feel cooler regardless of the temperature. They're also efficient, consuming less energy on average than a 100-watt light bulb.”

Fans are not just useful in the summer! While it’s warm outside, you'll want to set your fan in "down-draft" mode, with the blades running counterclockwise, to circulate cooler air. But when the weather turns cold, just flip the switch and reverse the motor so the blades can run clockwise. This forces the warm air down. The directional switch is usually located on top of the motor housing, so you will need a ladder. Plan to pick up a few fans at the local home supply store and ask about home installation services!

Fact: According to the US Department of Energy, “Ceiling fan/light combination units that have earned the ENERGY STAR are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. This can save you more than $15 per year on utility bills.”

Be Prepared in the Event of a Hurricane

Daphne Hager — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:33:48 +0100

With all the news surrounding Hurricane Season 2010, you have probably figured out that only flood insurance covers damage to your home caused by flooding (aka rising water), but you may not know all of the details. Below I have compiled a few suggestions to help you become better prepared when the threat of a storm presents itself.

Protect your hard-earned possessions. Build a personal file containing as much information as you can compile about all your “possessions” and keep it in high place, preferably fireproof and/or off premises. This detailed file should contain:

A copy of all your current insurance policies, your agent’s contact information as well as their corporate contact numbers (ex. 800 claims numbers and 24-hour service hotline numbers).
A room-by-room inventory of your entire home, including receipts for high-value items, and recent photos or videos that could be used as “proof of ownership”.
Copies of all critical family documents, including financial records, birth certificates and passports.

Flooding can happen anywhere, and without much notice, but certain areas are obviously more susceptible to severe flooding than others. To help homeowners better understand the risk levels in their area, flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps, FIRMs) have been created to show the locations of high-risk, moderate-to-low risk, and undetermined-risk areas. Visit the FEMA website to determine your specific flood hazard area. Although no one wants to endure a flood or deal with the cleanup and aftermath, you can rest a little easier knowing you have a grab-and-go file that with make the recovery much smoother for you and your family.

FACT: In 2007, flooding occurred in all 50 states, and nearly 25 percent of those claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas.

Huricane Preparedness Week for 2010

Greg Rivera — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:32:47 +0100

Hurricane Preparedness Week for 2010 begins Sunday, May 23. Each day of the week will be devoted to a different aspect of the hurricane season. By visiting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website at www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2 you may access each day’s topic. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday is devoted to the history of hurricanes in the United States. Links are provided to view articles on most of the major U.S. hurricanes dating back to the Galveston Hurricane of 1900.

Monday through Wednesday are dedicated to information on hurricane hazards such as Storm Surge, High Winds and Inland Flooding.

The subject on Thursday is how the National Weather Service and other agencies track hurricanes and predict path and intensity.

Friday’s link provides information on how to prepare for a hurricane including developing a family plan and creating a disaster kit.

Saturday’s emphasis is on what action should be taken before hurricane season, during a hurricane watch, and during a hurricane warning.

It is important for developers, builders, and buyers to be educated about the benefits of flood insurance and how to react in the event of an impending hurricane. They can visit the website and benefit from all of the information addressed each day.

SPECIAL NOTE: On April 16, 2010, Congress passed, and the President signed H.R. 4851, which extends the National Flood Insurance Program through May 31, 2010. The extension was retroactive to February 28, 2010.

Important Notice: Freeze Precautions

Greg Rivera — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:36:44 +0100

The Houston Weather Bureau is predicting freezing conditions from Thursday night through to Saturday morning (January 7-9, 2010).

These sustained freezing conditions could result in pipes bursting, causing severe damage. Please take the following precautions to minimize damage to your property and protect your plant and pets.

Wrap an exterior exposed pluming pipes.
Disconnect water hoses.
Keep your pets inside.
Cover your plants.
Do not leave faucets dripping
Listen to your radio and T.V. for weather updates.
If you are going out of town, leave the heat on in your unit and open the under counter cabinet doors. As an additional precaution, turn off the main water valve and drain the faucets. If you turn the water off and you have electric water heater, be sure to turn the breaker off.

H-E-B Has Hurricane Preparedness Kits

Cheryl Boe — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

H.E.B. Grocery Co. is planning on hosting several events to help Houstonians prepare for the hurricane season that started this week.

The grocer will showcase its new H-E-B Emergency Preparedness Kits filled with a three-day supply of goods, from food and a can opener to bath tissue, hand sanitizer and batteries. Customers can choose from a two-person food kit filled with items like tuna, beans, fruit cocktail and almonds, or a two-person supply kit including freezer bags, a flashlight, plastic cups and a first-aid kit.

The kits will be available for purchase at the event and in select stores throughout hurricane season.

Source: Houston Business Journal