{{First off,|Let’s start by asking:|First of all,} what is a storm surge? |}{According to the National Weather Service,|The National Weather Service states|The National Weather Service provides the following definition:} “a storm surge is an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tide.”
Did you know a storm surge is one of the most {deadly|lethal|dangerous} parts of a hurricane? In 1970, nearly {half a million|500,000} people were killed in the Bay of Bengal {after|following} the {worst|deadliest|most lethal} storm surge in history. In the {United States|U.S.}, Hurricane Katrina {developed|created|generated} one of the worst storm surges with water levels of {higher|more} than 25 feet throughout {impacted|affected} communities – 41.5 feet in Waveland, Mississippi.
CoreLogic, a leader in property data analysis, {projects|estimates} that {more than|over} 6 million {residential properties|houses|homes|single-family houses} are at risk of a storm surge caused by hurricanes in 2015 on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, which could {account for|lead to|equate to} $1.5 trillion in Reconstruction Cost Value.
{Nineteen|Nearly 20} states are at risk. {Over|More than} three quarters of the 6.6 million {houses|homes} at risk of storm surge are located in only six states:
1. Florida (2.5 million at-risk homes)
2. Louisiana (760k at-risk homes)
3. New York (464k at-risk homes)
4. New Jersey (446k at-risk homes)
5. Texas (441k at-risk homes)
6. Virginia (420k at-risk homes)
{After|Since} Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana {15 years ago|in 2005}, the most {destructive|recent} Category 5 hurricane in the United States, only {one-fourth|one quarter} of Louisiana’s at-risk homes are considered in the {very high|extreme} storm surge category due to the {levee upgrades|upgrade of levees} since Katrina {struck|hit}.
Cities that rank highest in the {number|amount} of {houses|homes} at risk, as well as total Reconstruction Cost Value, include:
1. New York – Newark, NY-NJ-PA
2. Miami – Fort Lauderdale – West Palm Beach, FL
3. Tampa – St. Petersburg – Clearwater, FL
4. Virginia Beach – Norfolk – Newport News, VA-NC
5. New Orleans – Metairie, LA
Although these are grave statistics, many {industry professionals|experts} predict a quiet 2015 storm season. However, it’s always best to be {ready|prepared} and keep your {family|loved ones} safe in the event of a {hurricane|big storm}.
Helpful Tips
– {Learn|Find out|Research} if you {live|are located} in a hurricane evacuation zone and {get to know|learn} your zone.
– During a {hurricane|storm}, do not use generators indoors, do not go down to your basement where {water rises|floods occur} first, do not drive through {high levels of|heavy} water, and leave your home once an evacuation is {issued|released}.
– {Prior to|Before} a storm, {create|assemble} an Emergency Preparedness Kit:
• Use a clear portable container
• 3-day supply of water and non-perishable food
• Can opener and utility knife
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered weather radio
• Cellphone charger
• Extra batteries
• Copies of insurance policies, identification and bank records
• Prescriptions, medical supplies
• First-Aid Kit
We hope these {suggested|few} tips will help keep you safe during hurricane season. Please remember that if you {have|experience} any property damage {from|caused by} fire, water, mold or storms to Call Paul. We’re {here|available} 24/7 to {assist|help} you!