The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is focusing on hurricane preparedness as South Carolina’s Hurricane Season begins June 1. The Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to use this information to prepare your home and family in the event of a severe weather event in our area.

• Make plans now: Gather and store all valuable paperwork such as mortgage notes, insurance papers, deeds, licenses, photos, etc. You must be able to show proof of ownership for your home or vehicle in order to claim the loss through insurance or FEMA.

• Itemize furnishings, clothing, valuables, etc. Take photos or videos of your home and belongings. This will help adjusters to settle claims. They can also prove uninsured losses, which are tax deductible.

• Gather non-perishable food, drinking water, candles, matches, first aid kits, battery-operated radios, batteries, flashlights, etc. Have these ready at all times.

• Plan and drive your evacuation routes. Know ahead of time where you need to go.

• Plan now to protect your windows with boards or shutters. Pre-cut and store them.

• In the event of an approaching hurricane, the SC Department of Transportation will shut down the operation of swing and draw bridges when sustained winds reach 24 mph and a mandatory evacuation is ordered.

• Make plans now and determine how you are going to relocate your boat.

• Homeowner’s  insurance  typically  covers  damage  from wind, hail, and lightning but not from flooding.  A separate flood policy can be acquired through your insurance agent.

• Homeowner’s coverage normally includes the home itself plus contents and extra living expenses made necessary by being forced out of your home.  If you are a renter, you may purchase contents and living expense coverage.
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