Stay Ahead of the Game This Hurricane Season Part 2

We just wrapped up Hurricane Preparedness Week. But even though the week is over, hurricane preparedness should always be top-of-mind for Hawaii homeowners and business owners. To help our clients make this hurricane season a top priority, we connected with HI Now to share some tips on how to stay ahead of the game this hurricane season.

Hurricane season officially starts on June 1st and runs until November 30th. However, the Aloha State typically sees the most hurricanes in the months of July, August, and September. Although no one can predict when or where a hurricane will form, everyone in the area should be prepared for potential impacts. 

Let’s recap what Kapili Customer Success Manager Jordan Yoneda shared with HI Now’s Kainoa Carlson on tips for preparing for hurricane season.

Clean Your Gutters

Jordan shares that an easy place to start for homeowners is simply to clear their gutters. Make sure all gutters on the home are free and clear of debris. That way, when the gutters fill with rain, the water has somewhere to go.

“If your gutters or downspouts are clogged with debris, there’s a chance the gutters could overflow. In turn, this could cause problems or damage to your roof.”

Protect Important Documents from Water Intrusion

If your roof does become compromised during heavy rains, it is important to protect any important documents from water damage. These documents include insurance policies, identification papers, licenses, or anything that would be a struggle to replace. Especially concerning insurance documents, you may need these papers when filing a claim to restore your roof. 

Take Photos of Your Property Before a Hurricane

Taking photos of your home, business, and other belongings before hurricane may become evidence in the event you need to make an insurance claim. “You can provide these photos to your claims adjuster so they know what’s going on and know how to help fix the situation.”

Contact a Professional Roofing Company

It’s helpful to be proactive in securing your home prior to a hurricane. Doing a roof inspection before hurricane can help you detect the potential for leaks or other damage. It also gives you an opportunity to fix any issues before they become more costly problems later.

 If you do incur roof damage during a hurricane, it's important to take photos of the damage and contact a professional roofing company as soon as possible.

In both scenarios, Kapili can provide a free roof inspection and give you estimates for repairs. If your roof has been damaged during a hurricane, we can provide temporary roof covers while you wait to speak with a claims adjustor and move forward with a new roof.

Other Great Tips for Success

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) advises individuals in hurricane-prone areas to prepare for the possibility of a major hurricane by taking the following precautions:

• Create a family emergency plan that includes an evacuation plan.

• Review your insurance policies, including flood insurance.

• Assemble a disaster supplies kit, which should include food, water, medications, first-aid supplies, and pet supplies.

• Ensure that you have adequate funds to cover expenses incurred as a result of a major hurricane. This might include funds for temporary lodging, food, personal care items, and clothing, for example.

• Secure your home by installing impact-resistant windows and doors, and by tying down or securing objects that could become projectiles in high winds.

You may be able to add to this list, especially if you have ever been in a hurricane yourself.

Hurricane Season Preparedness Starts Now!

We all know that here in Hawaii, severe weather can hit at any time. Taking this time to prepare 

yourself and your home will help prevent you from becoming a victim of a natural disaster. Being unprepared for what Mother Nature can bring can expose you to major difficulties.

This hurricane season, residents in some parts of the country are taking extra precautions to stay ahead of the storm. Some people are stocking up on supplies and making sure they have enough food and water. 

According to hurricane experts, it's important to prepare for every potential storm, even if you think it's unlikely that your area or home will be affected. It's important to take the risks of heavy rains, high winds, and flash floods seriously. We’re a small community after all, and there’s always a chance that a hurricane will have some impact on you. 

At Kapili Solar Roofing, we want you to feel confident this hurricane season. Contact us today to schedule your roof inspection.