Natural disasters are inevitable. These disasters cost the U.S. over $150 billion in 2021 alone. Such disasters take place all over the world, in homes and cities of all shapes and sizes. Yet, many people choose to live in regions where natural disasters are a reality.
If you’re thinking about buying a home in an area prone to disaster, here are some things you should know before moving forward with your purchase.
Study the Natural Disasters of the Area
Before you buy a house in an area prone to natural disasters, it’s important to study the history of natural disasters in that area. You’ll want to research how frequent and severe they’ve been in the past. It would help if you also studied the geological makeup of the area.
The local climate and weather patterns are other things to consider. If you are considering purchasing a home near a beachfront or riverbank where floods can occur, ask yourself if there have been any major floods recently.
You should also consider what kind of flora and fauna live near your potential new home and whether or not the local animals tend to venture far from their habitats.
Get Homeowners Insurance
Make sure that the house you want to buy is adequately insured. The best way to do this is by contacting your insurer and asking them what coverage options are available based on the type of home you’re planning on purchasing. This way, if something happens after moving in but before securing new coverage, your existing policy will still protect against damage caused by natural disasters.
Getting homeowners insurance can be tricky. Thus, if you’re unaware of how it works, here are a few tips for homeowners insurance that you should look into before getting one.
Don’t go into this without knowing what you have to do and how you can benefit from such a homeowners policy. Insurance companies will help you through the process, but it’s best if you have some prior knowledge regarding the process and the matter in general.
Storm-Proof Your House
As we mentioned, natural disasters cost the U.S. over $150 billion in 2021. Tropical storms alone cost the country over $80 billion. Thus, if your new house is in a hurricane-prone area, there’s a high chance of it getting damaged at some point. Because of that, there are several things you have to do to ensure that your house will withstand the storm.
First, check for water damage and make sure that any windows or doors with cracks or holes are repaired. It would be best if you also looked into installing shutters on all of your windows. These can be purchased from your local hardware store or online and installed yourself. If possible, purchase ones made of steel instead of wood; this will protect them from strong winds and heavy rain.
Second, ensure that your roof is strong enough to withstand high winds by checking its age and condition (and replacing it if necessary). Finally, install storm doors and windows on all exterior doors as well as garage doors if possible. These extra layers of protection may save you from leaks caused by broken glass during storms while also helping keep out debris during high winds.
Keep Supplies for Natural Disasters
It’s important to have an emergency kit ready no matter where you live, but you must keep one on hand if you live in a part of the country prone to natural disasters. You should include food and water, first aid supplies, medication, emergency contact information, and your evacuation plan. It’d also be wise to have a HAM radio for emergency communication.
Always Have an Evacuation Plan
The first step in creating an evacuation plan is to research the area you’re looking to move to. What natural disasters are common in your chosen location? Are there any predictable patterns that can be used to predict when and where these natural disasters will occur?
The second step is to make sure you have a plan for getting out of town in case of an emergency. If your initial evacuation fails, what’s your secondary plan? Will it involve renting cars or buses, or will you rely on friends or family members living outside the affected area?
The last thing you should do is include pets in your evacuation plans. Ensure they are equipped with food, water, and any necessary medication, if applicable.
Natural disasters are an unfortunate part of life. In 2021, these disasters led to the death of over 700 people in the United States. Apart from that, these disasters destroyed property worth billions of dollars and made many neighborhoods unlivable for years.
Despite that, they don’t have to ruin your plans for buying a home. By taking the time to learn about the potential risks in an area and preparing for them, you can ensure that your house purchase remains safe.
