Browning said that establishing the proper value of your home is important, especially in fluctuating real estate markets. Additionally, cataloguing personal effects and keeping them in order will give homeowners a leg up in the event of a catastrophic storm.
In addition to making sure that insurance policies are accurate and up to date, Sandrik said it is important to heed the advice of emergency management and local officials during hurricane season.
"They are there for your public safety and, when they ask for people to evacuate early, consider it, so you don’t get caught up,” he said. “Especially if you are going long distances, if you are asked to evacuate, you need to evacuate."
Sandrik said that the effects of storm surge and flooding that were evident in Louisiana after Katrina were catastrophic, and that Ponte Vedra and the greater Jacksonville area could see similar effects and damage in the event of a major storm.
“It only takes one hurricane to make landfall in the Jacksonville area to make it a big year for us,” he said.
With hurricane season running from June 1 to Nov. 30, being prepared for anything is much better than being caught unawares afterwards. Sandrik said it doesn’t matter how many storms are predicted to make landfall on a national level, residents should always be prepared.
