As residents of states affected by Hurricane Florence assess the damage in the coming days, Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) advise consumers to take the following steps when it is safe to return to their homes: After the hurricane: If you have evacuated, wait until authorities tell you it’s safe before returning home. Be alert for tornadoes which can form as a result of hurricane conditions. Stay away from flood waters. Use a flashlight. Do not light matches or turn on electrical switches. Sniff for gas

As Hurricane Florence threatens a large portion of the east coast, preparations are in full swing to ensure the safety of people affected by the storm and its aftermath. One often overlooked factor is illnesses which occur when people are exposed to contaminated water or spoiled food as homes lose power.  Other worries include infected wounds in people lacking medical care and rapid spreading of common infectious diseases within shelters. Post-storm concerns continue as clean up puts people in contact with floodwater, the possible increase in mosquito breeding (then spreading West Nile and Zika) and the increase in mold spores

Know the Proper Sand Bags Use If you buy sand bags, fill them with sand and not soil, but don’t over fill them. Fill them only 2/3 of the way. If they’re over filled they won’t lay flat. If they’re underfilled they’ll leave gaps which will allow the water to seep through. Here’s a PHOTO of properly filled sandbags. Don’t put sandbags directly on top of each other. You need to lay them on the tied opening of the sandbag next to it and underneath it to build a proper wall to stop water. To cover doors, duct tape a plastic