Category: Latest Hurricane Information

Ahhh Summer. Beautiful weather, swimming, picnics, and more. However, one thing summer also brings with it is the dreaded hurricane season.

Officially hurricane season begins June 1st and ends November 30th each year. And although most of us are focusing on the beautiful weather the summer season will bring, meteorologists with various weather organizations are predicting what storms we can expect.

2020 Prediction

2020 is expected to be an above average year for hurricanes according to Colorado State University, with 16 named systems and 8 hurricanes.

2020 Storm Names

As you may know, tropical storms and hurricanes are given names each year. They are in alphabetical order and each storm name alternates between male and female. The names for 2020 are:

There are 5 hurricane categories.

Category 1 hurricanes have winds between 74 and 95 miles per hour and a storm surge of four to five feet. The damage they bring are usually minimal.

Category 2 hurricanes have sustained winds between 96 and 110 miles per hour and a storm surge of six to eight feet. Flooding is expected, but damage is usually minimal and most often affects mobile homes and roofs.

Category 3 hurricanes (major) have sustained winds between 111 and 130 miles per hour and a storm surge of nine to 12 feet. Damage can be extensive to buildings and flooding is to be expected.

Category 4 hurricanes (major) have sustained winds between 131 and 155 miles per hour and a storm surge of 13 to 18 feet. These storms can cause extensive damage to all buildings. They can also destroy roofs, mobile homes, and can cause extreme flooding.

Category 5 hurricanes (major) have sustained winds greater than 155 miles per hour and a storm surge of more than 18 feet. Category 5 storms are usually predicted to be catastrophic, with most buildings being destroyed. There can also be severe flooding, destroyed crops and long periods of time without electricity or water following the storm.

Are you ready for the next storm?

The most important thing you can do with hurricane season approaching is to make sure you are prepared for what potential storms may bring. Preparing for hurricane season may sound daunting and overwhelming, but if you get ready early, you will feel calmer knowing you are as ready as you can be.

So what should you do to prepare for hurricane season?

1. Have supplies ready. This includes water (for drinking, washing, flushing toilets, etc.), nonperishable food, radio, flashlights, batteries, candles, lighters and matches. You also want to keep a travel bag packed in case you need to leave your home in a hurry.

2. Have your important papers gathered together. This includes insurance policies, bank information, some cash, and any other papers that would be of importance to you.

3. Don’t forget about your pets! If you have pets, have a plan in mind for them in case you need to evacuate. Will you take them with you wherever you go? If not, make sure you plan in advance regarding a friend, animal shelter, etc. they can stay with if you need to evacuate without them.

4. Get your home ready. When a storm is approaching, do not leave anything outside your home, such as grills, patio furniture, outdoor toys, garbage cans, outdoor umbrellas, etc. You will also want to board up windows if you do not have shutter or hurricane windows. Be sure to clean up any loose branches or remove them from your trees. Flying objects in strong windows can do a lot of damage during a hurricane. Take pictures of everything inside and outside of your home before the storm and make sure they are time stamped. This will be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim.

Remember to not panic if a hurricane is approaching. Do not procrastinate about your decision to stay in your home or evacuate. If you are in a required evacuation zone, do not stay your home. Stay with a family or friend, or find a shelter. Having a plan in advance of the storm is key to keep you from panicking. Also, make sure all of your family members are aware of the plan and have a meeting place set up in case you decide to separate to weather out the storm in different places. Preparation and staying aware are the most important things you can do to stay safe this hurricane season!

And why you should have them installed in your home before the upcoming Hurricane Season.

You make sure you’re prepared for Hurricane Season every year. You upgraded to impact windows, perhaps you even have the added protection of shutters, or you might even tie down your roof when the time comes. But are you forgetting your doors?

When making sure your home is ready for Hurricane Season, all points of entry, including doorways, should land at the top of your list. Both doors and windows are the most vulnerable points of your house, but doors are all too often overlooked.

But did you know there are many other benefits to impact doors besides just hurricane protection?

Our favorite thing about our impact doors is that you can take advantage of the benefits year round instead of just when the Atlantic is active. Just a few benefits of having Impact Doors include:

Hurricane Protection and Break-in Prevention

Impact doors offer protection from both home intruders and hurricanes. Impact doors are designed to withstand impact from flying debris, making shutters optional during a hurricane, although some people like to double up for peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing that you are safely behind your impact resistant door.

Receive a Discount on Home Insurance

More often than not, when you put extra attention into protecting your home, your insurance company will reward you with a discount. Just make sure you check with your insurance company to see which discounts are available before you make your impact door purchase.

Reduced Electric Bill

The impact glass used for hurricane impact doors has a high-performance Low-E coating that deflects heat (long-wave infrared energy) instead of allowing it to pass through the glass. In a nutshell, it keeps the heat outside and the cool air inside, effectively reducing your heating and cooling bill.

Protection from Harmful UV-Rays

Just like impact glass deflects heat (see last talking point) it also deflects up to 99% of harmful UV-rays. We’ve all heard UV-Rays may cause cancer, but when it comes to your home, these harmful rays have the potential to damage your furniture, pictures, flooring, and other valuable items in your home. Filter out these harmful rays and protect your valuables.

Reduced Noise Pollution

Do you live in a noisy neighborhood? I mean, we all love hearing the sound of laughing children enjoying a great day outside from time to time, but if you live near a highway or have loud neighbors, you might want to filter some of that out when you are home. Impact doors (and windows!) are extremely effective at filtering out noise pollution, making your home that much more peaceful.

Increase Home Value

When you’re ready to move, the impact door that you enjoyed while you lived in your home will actually end up increasing the value of your property! Buyers are looking for upgrades that increase protection and energy efficiency and are willing to pay a higher price so they don’t have to end up making the upgrades themselves. So in the end, whether it’s saving your money on your electric bill or getting more when you decide to sell, impact doors (and windows!) pay off.

Are you ready to upgrade to hurricane impact doors? East Coast Windows & Doors has impact resistant french doors and sliding glass doors that can be customized to fit practically any door opening and improve the look and feel of your home.  Contact us today for a free quote.

Summer will be here soon, and with it comes Hurricane Season. Although last year’s season was pretty uneventful for most of us, this year looks like it might be slightly more active than the average.  Hurricane Season officially starts in June, so we’ll know more in the upcoming months regarding accurate predictions, but in the mean time, are you thinking ahead?

The best way to think ahead is to make sure you are prepared for anything a potential storm may bring. This can sound like a scary task, but if you get started now you may find that when the time comes to spring into action, you are more calm and methodical because you are READY!

So what should you do to prepare for hurricane season?

1. Make sure you have any important paperwork you may need together and in a safe place. This includes insurance policies, bank information, and any other papers that would be of importance to you and hard to replace if they are lost (such as birth certificates, social security cards, etc).

2. Have your survival supplies ready. This includes water (for drinking, washing, flushing toilets, etc.), nonperishable food, radio, flashlights, batteries, candles, lighters, and matches. Also make sure you have plenty of any medication you need in case you run out and are unable to make it to the pharmacy. You may also want to keep a bag packed in case you need to leave your home in a hurry.

3. Don’t forget about your pets! For most people this is a no-brainer, but we’ve all seen the heartbreaking footage that results when family members leave their beloved pets behind to fend for themselves. Have a plan in mind for them in case you need to evacuate. Will you take them with you? If not, make sure you plan in advance regarding a friend, animal shelter, etc.  

However, you will also need to prepare for the event you are able to ride out the storm. Make sure you have plenty of pet food and any medication that they may need.

4. Last, but definitely not least, get your home ready. Be sure to clean up any loose branches or remove them from your trees. Take pictures of everything inside and outside of your home and make sure they are time stamped. This will be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim.

Another thing that we also recommend is upgrading your windows to hurricane resistant windows, and your doors as well.  Contact Us at East Coast Windows & Doors for a free estimate!

Preparation and staying aware are the most important things you can do to stay safe this hurricane season, and the sooner you prepare the easier time you will have. So get started now!  

Give East Coast Windows & Doors a call today and ask us how we can help!

The 2019 Hurricane Season was pretty quiet for us here in South Florida, but nonetheless, we’re still glad it’s over. So now that we’re not keeping an eye out for the next storm, would it still be a good time to upgrade to Hurricane Impact Windows and Doors?

YES! The answer is yes. And here’s why.

1. Reduce your electric bill. Hurricane Impact Windows and Doors are also energy efficient. They are more air tight, keeping your heat and air inside, which in turn reduces your heating and cooling costs.
2. Theft protection. Because Hurricane Impact Windows and Doors are made to be impact resistance, it can be almost impossible for an intruder to gain entry to your home through your windows.
3. Save money on your home owners insurance. When you have extra protection for your home, insurance companies take notice. That is why when you install Hurricane Impact Windows and Doors on your home, your insurance company will be more than happy to give you a discount on your policy.
4. Increase the value of your home. When it’s time to put your home on the market, buyers will love the idea that their potential new home will be ready to face the next hurricane without having to make the upgrades themselves. Because of this, they will see the value of the listing price when it reflects the upgrades.
5. Be ready for next year. When the next storm is on the radar and expected to come your way, you can rest easy knowing you’re protected while your neighbors might be scrambling to put up plywood.

Don’t wait until next Hurricane season to upgrade your windows and doors. Upgrade in between seasons and be ready for anything!

Contact us today for a free consultation and quote.

It’s official!  Hurricane Season is here and it’s once again time to think about what you’re going to do when the next hurricane shows up on the radar.

People ask us all the time how they can get their house ready for a hurricane, so we have decided to put together some of our best tips.

Secure your windows and doors.

Any entry to your house is going to be the weakest point, and by that we mean your windows and doors.  Covering your windows and with hurricane shutters can enormously diminish the probability of your windows or doors breaking or being breached.

Incorporating hurricane resistant windows is also a great addition to your plan, and the many benefits will even last long after hurricane season is over.

Put away or secure objects around the perimeter of your home.

We’re talking about patio furniture, trash cans, garden decorations, etc.  If you can lift it up and move it, there’s a good chance a hurricane can too.

Not only do you not want to lose these items during a hurricane, you also don’t want them to cause further damage to your property and possible your neighbor’s property as well.

Trim your trees.

Make sure you cut away any branches that are loose, dead, or look like they may be easily damaged by hurricane winds.  If you don’t, these branches may come loose and cause further damage that could have been prevented by a quick tree trimming.

Prepare for power surges and outages.

This day and age we invest so much money in technology for our homes and our family members. But can your devices withstand a power surge?  Before the hurricane hits, make sure all electronics that you keep plugged in are on high quality surge protectors or simply unplug them until after the storm passes.

Don’t forget your appliances too, especially your refrigerator.  If you expect to have a long stay without electricity, have a plan to ensure your food does not spoil.  This can be done by either consuming as many perishables before the storm hits, or keeping a cooler with ice on hand.

Call your insurance company.

When you see a hurricane is forecasted to head your direction, make sure you call your insurance company to double check on your policy.

Since you’re already talking to your insurance company, it’s the perfect time to take inventory of everything valuable in your house just in case you experience any loss or damage and need to have items replaced.

There you have it!  Our 5 best tips for getting your home ready for the next hurricane.

Are you looking to add hurricane shutters this season?  Or maybe you’re looking to upgrade your windows to hurricane impact windows? Call today for a free assessment and estimate on which options would be best for your home.

Ahhh Summer. Beautiful weather, swimming, picnics, and more. However, one thing summer also brings with it is the dreaded hurricane season.

Officially hurricane season begins June 1st and ends November 30th each year. And although most of us are focusing on the beautiful weather the summer season will bring, meteorologists with various weather organizations are predicting what storms we can expect.

2019 Prediction

2019 is expected to be average year for hurricanes according to an entry on Wikipedia, with 9 to 15 named systems, 4 to 8 hurricanes and 2 to four 4 major hurricanes.

2019 Storm Names

As you may know, tropical storms and hurricanes are given names each year. They are in alphabetical order and each storm name alternates between male and female. The names for 2019 are:

There are 5 hurricane categories.

Category 1 hurricanes have winds between 74 and 95 miles per hour and a storm surge of four to five feet. The damage they bring are usually minimal.

Category 2 hurricanes have sustained winds between 96 and 110 miles per hour and a storm surge of six to eight feet. Flooding is expected, but damage is usually minimal and most often affects mobile homes and roofs.

Category 3 hurricanes (major) have sustained winds between 111 and 130 miles per hour and a storm surge of nine to 12 feet. Damage can be extensive to buildings and flooding is to be expected.

Category 4 hurricanes (major) have sustained winds between 131 and 155 miles per hour and a storm surge of 13 to 18 feet. These storms can cause extensive damage to all buildings. They can also destroy roofs, mobile homes, and can cause extreme flooding.

Category 5 hurricanes (major) have sustained winds greater than 155 miles per hour and a storm surge of more than 18 feet. Category 5 storms are usually predicted to be catastrophic, with most buildings being destroyed. There can also be severe flooding, destroyed crops and long periods of time without electricity or water following the storm.

Are you ready for the next storm?

The most important thing you can do with hurricane season approaching is to make sure you are prepared for what potential storms may bring. Preparing for hurricane season may sound daunting and overwhelming, but if you get ready early, you will feel calmer knowing you are as ready as you can be.

So what should you do to prepare for hurricane season?

1. Have supplies ready. This includes water (for drinking, washing, flushing toilets, etc.), nonperishable food, radio, flashlights, batteries, candles, lighters and matches. You also want to keep a travel bag packed in case you need to leave your home in a hurry.
2. Have your important papers gathered together. This includes insurance policies, bank information, some cash, and any other papers that would be of importance to you.
3. Don’t forget about your pets! If you have pets, have a plan in mind for them in case you need to evacuate. Will you take them with you wherever you go? If not, make sure you plan in advance regarding a friend, animal shelter, etc. they can stay with if you need to evacuate without them.
4. Get your home ready. When a storm is approaching, do not leave anything outside your home, such as grills, patio furniture, outdoor toys, garbage cans, outdoor umbrellas, etc. You will also want to board up windows if you do not have shutter or hurricane windows. Be sure to clean up any loose branches or remove them from your trees. Flying objects in strong windows can do a lot of damage during a hurricane. Take pictures of everything inside and outside of your home before the storm and make sure they are time stamped. This will be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim.

Remember to not panic if a hurricane is approaching. Do not procrastinate about your decision to stay in your home or evacuate. If you are in a required evacuation zone, do not stay your home. Stay with a family or friend, or find a shelter. Having a plan in advance of the storm is key to keep you from panicking. Also, make sure all of your family members are aware of the plan and have a meeting place set up in case you decide to separate to weather out the storm in different places. Preparation and staying aware are the most important things you can do to stay safe this hurricane season!

Hurricane season can be a stressful period for everyone involved. Hopefully homes with hurricane impact windows won’t have to deal with much or any aftermath. These windows are there to protect a house owner’s belongings so that they can sleep at night without a worry on their mind. To keep these windows in effective condition, regular maintenance is often needed.

These checkups are not technical at all and can be done within a matter of minutes. So, here are a few steps that must be taken to check and maintain your windows after between hurricane seasons:

1.     Inspection

The first thing that you need to do is carefully examine your window glass and frame. Look for any cracks in and around the frame of the glass. Even though the case of this happening is low because these windows are designed specifically for these kinds of situations, it’s better to check than not. If you do find any, call East Coast Windows immediately, and we will sort this issue out in no time.

2.     Cleaning*

Windows can make a significant impact on a home’s look and feel, so keeping them clean should be a priority no matter what time of the year.

The first thing to do would be to start off with the window frames. Make sure to use a mixture of dish soap and water. This mixture should be used for the glass as well, though glass needs to be cleaned with fresh water. This should easily remove any dirt or grime that has accumulated, especially after hurricanes. Then use a dry cloth to clean off any liquid leftover.

* Although soap and water is a safe bet for most windows, the manufacturer of your window may have a better recommendation when it comes to cleaning.  You can always check with them for the best options, or contact us with any cleaning or maintenance questions you may have.

Now that your windows are inspected and cleaned up, you can rest easy knowing another hurricane season is behind us. If you have any concerns at all regarding your hurricane impact windows, please don’t hesitate to call East Coast Windows and we will be happy to help in any way we can.

Natural disasters wreak havoc in communities along every coastline and can even affect people living far from the shore. That’s why it’s so important to have a disaster recovery plan, regardless of where you live. When a hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster does strike, following a few suggestions and keeping a level head can help you recover that much more efficiently.

Gather Evidence
The first thing you should do, upon returning to your home, is to document the damage caused by the event. The best way to do this is to take photographs. While some people take videos, they can actually be more problematic if you need to locate evidence of specific damage. Instead of reviewing a continuous loop of video footage, it’s much easier to pull up a specific photograph.

Pictures can be extremely helpful in filing your claim, especially if your insurance company seems reluctant to settle.

Prevent Further Damage

Some people try to handle everything themselves, but this makes recovering that much more difficult. There are resources available to help you, so don’t hesitate to take advantage of them. For instance, FEMA will usually provide large tarps to help you cover damage to your roof and walls. This can help protect against additional wind and rain damage, until you can get repairs underway.

File Your Claim
It’s important that you don’t delay in filing your claim for a couple of reasons. First, delaying your claim can cause the insurance company to question your motives. They may think you delayed filing to claim damages not caused by the disaster. Secondly, there will likely be many other claims your insurer will have to process. The sooner you submit your claim, the quicker the insurance company will get to it.

Obtain Early Estimates
While you’re waiting to hear back from your insurance company, you can begin shopping around for contractors to make the repairs you need. A company that specializes in quality replacement windows and doors, such as East Coast Windows, is often the best place to go for replacement pieces. You can talk to their service specialists about obtaining the best windows and doors to protect against future disasters. By selecting contractors early, you’ll be ready to move once your insurance claim has been settled.

Contact Creditors
You should also contact your credit card issuers, mortgage lenders, and other creditors to discuss your situation. You may be able to negotiate a temporary payment relief, which can help you through the immediate future. Even with your insurance settlement, if you have significant damage, money can be tight and a brief reprieve from paying on your debts can be a big help.

There’s much to be done immediately following a natural disaster. However, your primary responsibility is to protect yourself and your family from additional financial fallout. This means getting your home situation taken care of and communicating with financial institutions to gain as much protection as possible. Taking these steps will help you recover that much faster and enable you to get back to a more normal way of life.

Hurricanes and other natural disasters are frightening enough on their own, but you may find your fear factor amped up if you’re pregnant or have small children. Although it may feel different, preparing for a hurricane while pregnant or when caring for small children is essentially the same as preparing for a hurricane when you aren’t pregnant or live alone. However, there are a few things you’ll need to do differently to keep your unborn baby and other children safe. In this article, we’ll provide you with some proven strategies that will enable you to plan ahead and not panic if and when you and your family members face a hurricane.

Protect Your Home

It’s always important to do what you can to protect your home from hurricane damage, but starting a family can make this feel like even more of a priority.

To prepare for a hurricane, install hurricane straps on your roof and reinforce your garage door. Install hurricane shutters and consider upgrading to hurricane impact windows with the help of East Coast Windows and Doors. Remove trees or branches that might fall on the home during a storm and always carry flood insurance. The less damage you have to deal with, the more quickly your family can get back to normal life after the storm.

Have a Backup Plan

If your due date and a hurricane are approaching at the same time, talk to your doctor about a backup plan. Know where you will evacuate if it becomes necessary and discuss nearby alternative hospitals and clinics that can deliver your baby if your planned birthing center must close. Hopefully you won’t need the information, but ask your doctor what you need to know and do if your labor begins during the storm. If your prenatal care clinic remains closed after the hurricane passes, find another one rather than skipping appointments.

Emergency Kit Additions

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you should already have and maintain an emergency kit you can grab during an evacuation, but if you’re expecting or have young child, you’ll need to add a few more essentials to the kit. In addition to packing bottled water, vitamins, medications, nutritious snacks for you and your children (nuts, protein bars, and granola), you’ll also need to bring an emergency birthing kit. This kit should include clean sanitary pads, scissors, towels, gloves, sheets, syringe, white shoelaces, blankets, etc.

Next, invest in a portable crib so the baby has a safe place to sleep and grab some extra blankets. You’ll need enough clothing and diapers to last three days as well as a three-day supply of any medications the baby needs. Pack some extra formula too, but make sure it’s the ready-to-feed type in case you lack access to clean water and can’t mix powdered formula safely. Stash a baby sling or carrier in your emergency kit too. Strollers may prove worthless if you’re in a very crowded shelter or navigating post-hurricane debris.

In conclusion, preparing for a hurricane is important to staying safe. Just as it was before you had children, preparation is the key to getting through a hurricane. If you have what you need and know what to do, you can act swiftly and decisively during a hurricane rather than scrambling to react to it. As a result, your entire family will be safer and calmer during the storm.