Category: Latest Hurricane Information

In 2017, an estimated 116.5 million came to visit Florida in spite of the natural disasters that hit the state. This is equivalent to around 3.6% increase from the previous year –a new state record. On the downside, the state also lost an estimated 1.8 million visitors when Hurricane Irma struck which is equivalent to a loss of $1.5 billion in potential revenues.

Unfortunately, recent reports reveal that many business owners suffered significant losses because of Hurricane Irma – an effect that continued for several months. Some owners spoke with a heavy heart about delays in business construction, damages to their structure and roads, and a severe drop in foot traffic.

Even more distressing is the announcement last April 1 that flood insurance rates have increased by 8% for the average premium to 25% for high-risk zones which include business properties. For residences in high-risk zones, the rate increased by 11%. Accordingly, this new rate is unrelated to the effects of last year’s hurricane season but because of two congressional decisions to help ease the National Flood Insurance Program which is buried under steep debts amounting to $25 billion.

Practical Strategies to Avoid Long-Term Effects of Hurricanes and Floods

Here are efficient and cost-effective business strategies you can adopt this year to protect not only your business, but also the business building.

1. Every year at least two months before hurricane season, have a professional inspect your building. This kind of certification will only bode well for you as it improves the confidence level of your employees, clients, customers, suppliers, and investors.
2. If your business is located in a medium to high-risk zone, consider installing hurricane impact windows and doors. This can prevent indoor flooding, damage from flying debris, and keep your building safe from structural damage.
3. There are other measures to protect your structure like roof ties.
4. Trim trees and plants located near your building right before a hurricane lands
5. Train your employees about protective measures before, during, and after a storm
6. Consider having a backup business location away from the medium to high-risk zone in case access to your business becomes too difficult after the hurricane. This way you can still keep your business going soon after the storm leaves.

Finally, set aside a hurricane fund that you build up slowly over the years to cover new hurricane features and expenses. This fund should be separate from your operating funds so your business operations won’t struggle to stay afloat during the period immediately after the hurricane.

For all your hurricane impact window and door needs, contact us at East Coast Windows and Doors– your friendly professional window and door experts.

Americans who live in storm-prone areas understand the gravity of hurricanes, need for insurance and emergency plans, and have a strategy for survival and recovery. They also read up on meteorology, property risk mitigation, real property market, and emergency management. Some even go as far as taking formal lessons in weather patterns and bunker construction. When it comes to Mother Nature, you can never be too prepared.

People who have experienced a Category 4 or 5 hurricane will describe it as “scary” and “stressful.” Immediately after the hurricane, the relief is only but fleeting. Then the physical and emotional toil sets in as you try to put order back into your lives while trying to keep a lid on the trauma of loss or damages.

On top of having to take care of repairs, there is the added pressure to go back to work and start earning to pay for the unexpected expenses. A homeowner also has to face government officials who start making house calls to inspect homes alongside insurance agents, banks officials or financiers for mortgaged property, and relatives calling to offer or ask for help. In the case of Hurricane Irma, about 1 million homeowners had to survive a week without power while others had to wait for days before they could get help.

The government is constantly improving public service to victims of hurricanes. After Hurricane Katrina, the lessons learned included using the same playbook, enhancing first responder training, building emergency supply inventory way before the hurricane season, and learning to ask for help from the citizens. All lessons the government was able to apply during Hurricane Harvey and other hurricanes that followed.

However, the government cannot be relied on 100% to be the sole protector of the public. Individual homeowners should take the initiative to enhance their personal preparedness to minimize damage and trauma. After all, the government has limited resources and cannot be in all places at one time. Even though authorities are better today with natural calamities, there is room for improvement, especially in relief and recovery.  Recovery takes time.

As homeowners, you can invest in your property with hurricane impact windows and doors, roof ties, and other hurricane protection solutions like a generator. You should also keep your insurance updated, suggest a mobile alert program for the community, and educate families in the neighborhood about safe zones and protecting one’s health against trauma and mental stress.

Many homes in the state of Florida and around the country have installed hurricane impact windows. At East Coast windows, while this trend has validated our products, we also believe in making sure homeowners understand the realities of owning a hurricane-protected structure.

One of the main reasons for hurricane impact windows and doors is that fact that these products can stand against heavy debris traveling at a speed of 50 feet/second. And hurricane impact windows and doors do not look unsightly at all. They are beautifully crafted in different designs from double-hung to fixed, and from sliding door to casement.

Another reason for the popularity of hurricane windows and doors is the fact that they are security windows as well and can protect a family from vandals, intruders, and thieves.  And here is where East Coast offers the difference.

In many cases in the past, when fires break out in a house with hurricane impact windows and doors, firefighters have a very difficult time accessing the house. They require tools and at least five precious minutes to break the windows and doors. Those who are trapped inside, on the other hand, experience similar difficulties. This situation has prompted us to either make sure there are interior open/close window and door operations that can be used or that there is a warning system that will inform and advice firefighters about the windows and doors structure. This will save time and allow first responders to adjust to the situation more quickly.

For those inside the house, we at East Coast suggest that all adult/responsible family members be oriented on how to exit the house safely. There should be a designated place where hand tools are kept inside the house for the purpose of making a hole in the glass. You can also inform your fire department to encode in their database that you have hurricane impact windows and doors. Some fire departments welcome this information but will require further details such as the type and sizes of impact windows and doors.

The additional steps you need to take may be a little inconvenient, but it’s a small adjustment for such a safe and secure investment on your property and family. Hurricane windows save lives and property. In many parts of the country, these kinds of windows are mandated in building codes especially in the Midwest area but are evident in parts that don’t normally get hit by hurricanes.

Along with hurricane impact windows and doors, there are other ways you can protect your house and family as your second line of defense. For instance, you can use hurricane roof clips to tie down your roof. These clips can hold up to 1500 pounds, although the standard weight for low danger areas is 500 pounds. Another option for protecting your roof is the cable tie which holds the roof in place with a cable system.

Finally, a relatively new innovation is the concrete cloth which can protect the walls of your home. This technology can stop a bullet from penetrating the wall and comes in a dry mixture which you mix with water.

There you have it! The complete hurricane set-up for your home! Contact us today for your hurricane impact windows and doors and be prepared for the next big one!

2017 is now being seen as one of the worst hurricane seasons since 2005 because even though the hurricane season has not yet ended, there have already been 4 hurricanes to make landfall in the country, three of them were category 4 storms.

The question is not about the significance of the hurricane season although it is important. At East Coast, we prefer to ask property owners if they are satisfied with the performance of their hurricane windows and doors.

It has come to our knowledge from news reports that many homes in Florida whose owners invested in impact windows were duped. They were misled by marketing hype that relied on certain industry terms to sell a product.

Let us explain and help sort through the confusion. In this industry, there are different ways to protect windows and doors and ultimately, the house from damage due to strong winds and heavy debris. Hurricane shutters, plywood, or hurricane windows. What not many supplier will fail to explain is that there is a difference between a hurricane window and a hurricane impact window which we have at East Coast Windows.

The Difference between Hurricane Windows and Hurricane Impact Windows

Hurricane impact windows are impact resistant windows which have a higher resistance to heavy debris, fierce rain, and loud noises. They are safer and cannot be broken easily even by hurling an object at it by burglars or firefighters. It would require a power drill to cut a hole in a hurricane impact window or door so you can just imagine how strong these windows and doors are.

Hurricane impact products are manufactured in a different way as well. They use laminated glass bonded together with an clear interlayer that traps air between 2 glass panes and then followed by a third glass panel for insulation which is also air insulated to reduce heat transfer.

You can choose between two kinds of hurricane impact windows based on resistance: one that can resist small objects (PVB glass) and the other for larger objects (PET laminated glass).

Hurricane windows, on the other hand, are stronger than your standard window system but not as strong as the hurricane impact resistant systems. You can tell if your windows are hurricane impact or simple hurricane windows. With the impact resistant windows and doors, you should have a state certificate from your supplier. This is the certificate you can show to your insurer to request for lower rates. Some hurricane windows though are laminated well enough to resist small objects but will shatter when hit by larger debris.

There is the laser test which is not 100% reliable although it can be a starting point. The laser should be able to go through the window and be seen on the other side as a single dot only if it is impact resistant. In addition, the product itself should have a sticker stating that it is “Florida product approved” or “Miami-Dade county approved.”

Finally, you can request for an inspector to drop by your home to check the windows and doors. This document from a home inspector can also be used for insurance purposes.

Hurricane Irma left behind 32 deaths in three states as of last count with the government already spending $250 million initially on recovery efforts. Irma came on the heels of another hurricane, Hurricane Harvey, which struck parts of Texas and caused damages worth over $100 billion.Continue reading

With the recent devastation from Hurricane Irma and the media attention it generated because of its intensity and amount of damage it has caused, there are many who are confused about why the prediction failed to be accurate. Is weather prediction an old school skill no longer valid today?

From “hurricane amnesia” to hurricane parties, too many are taking risks that can only be described as downright crazy. Last October when Hurricane Matthew hit Florida, leading the hurricane parties was Vanilla Ice who vowed to ride out a hurricane 4 with an “extreme weather live-tweeting” gimmick.  Considering that Hurricane Matthew was tagged as the most powerful storm to hit the Atlantic coast in over 10 years and the Governor Scott’s call to evacuate, it was a terrible decision to make for a person with over 800,000 Twitter followers.Continue reading

Coping with hurricane anxiety can be a tremendous burden.  Hurricane Sandy was in 2012, yet people still remember and feel emotionally traumatized by the force of that devastating storm. After all, 147 lives were lost and approximately 60 million affected according to The New York Times. Although most of those affected have been able to pick up the pieces of their lives and reestablish themselves, many still bear the emotional pain that comes with surviving a horrific natural disaster like Sandy.

That anxiety, also known as hurricane or weather anxiety, manages to resurface whenever news of an impending storm is released – even the small measures. For some though, the memories never really fade and they experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Fear of a repeat trauma
• Depression and mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of appetite
• Periodic intrusion of memories from the hurricane that causes rapid heartbeat, cold sweat, and breathing problems

The hurricane season comes around every year with relatively predictable regularity. The best way to deal with anxiety is to face your fears and to be proactive in doing so. This is especially true for young children so they do not grow up always distraught over natural occurrences.

Protect your home

Your home is your sanctuary – where you should feel safest. Unless there is a call to evacuate, you should be able to feel secure in your home. To do this, invest in reinforcement like the hurricane windows and doors and a system to tie down your roof. This one-time investment, if acquired from the right supplier, should last you more than one lifetime.

And even if you have to evacuate to stay safe, your home will have a better chance of staying upright and intact with these hurricane solutions. In addition, it will improve the value of your home and lower your insurance premium.

Have a plan

First, stay informed but don’t be obsessive about forecasts. Second, get together with every member of the household and discuss strategies. Assign responsibilities and a pre-determined plan of action should the storm come unexpectedly. Third, talk about your anxieties and fears with each other. Talking and sharing experiences will help release some tension and make you feel you are not alone.

Keep the 3Rs in mind: Readiness, Response, Recovery. Finally, instill teamwork and empathy among all household members. Watch out for post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression, fear, and anxiety. Early detection will prevent the anxiety from developing into something more serious.

Hurricane-prone areas like Florida attracted almost 113 million visitors in 2016. Florida remains a top destination even though surveys reveal that many travelers are concerned about safety and security. On top of that, their family and friends also tend to voice their concerns. Here’s what you can do to ease these fears.

Hurricane Policies

Many hotels and tourist accommodation options offer a hurricane policy. A hurricane policy involves rebooking options, early check-outs without penalty, no penalty cancellations, and refunds. You should inquire about the policy before making your reservation because some hotels will offer re-booking rather than refund, and specific rebooking terms.

Part of the hurricane policy should include an evacuation plan. Florida business owners are adept at caring for their guests and visitors. Almost all if not all will have an evacuation plan that includes assistance with transportation to a safer area or local shelter.

More important is the reinforcement of the structure in the event of a strong storm. This includes window hurricane shutters, wind breakers, protection from flying debris and broken glass, well-trained staff, and back-up generators.

Back-Up Plans

During a calamity, it is normal for prices to jack up and supplies to run low. Once you know that a storm is coming your way, do not rely on the hotel to provide for all your needs. Take time to buy emergency supplies like flashlight, batteries, backup phone battery, some food and water, and a first aid kit. Even if the hotel can provide all these, chances are the staff will be very busy and understandably there may be a delay in the delivery of services. It is also possible that local residents will book in local hotels to ride out the storm.

Get Insurance

Aside from travel insurance, it would be a good idea to secure hurricane insurance. You will need to buy this kind of insurance before any announcement of a coming storm otherwise your coverage will be severely limited.

Clues to know when buying hurricane and travel insurance:

• Buy if you are traveling during hurricane season which is from June to November
• Look for insurance coverage that includes trip cancellation, delays in transit
• Make sure the insurance covers severe weather or has a plan that includes (National Hurricane Center (NOAA) warning

Finally, talk to your airline or travel agency about their severe weather policy and adjust your insurance accordingly.