Steve Says

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     The newsroom is a buzz with reporters and photographers packing up their rain gear and heading to the coast.   There are gallon jugs of water in the back of news units "just in case".   It seems every 5 minutes there is some sort of "Hurricane Ike" meeting- we are all over this!

    I walked in this morning to find that we are setting up a temporary newsroom for our sister station in Houston so their team of reporters can work out of here to follow the story.  Below you can see crews buildnig a temporary weather wall for the KRIV crew.

    Where does that leave me?  Well, believe it or not I used to be a "I-see-you-just-lost-everything-in-a-tornado-how-do-you
-feel?" reporter, but it seems the days of holding on to a lamp post to show how windy it is- are over.

    So- here is my contribution to our hurricane coverage- preparedness information passed along to me that I am now passing along to you.  I invite you to add your own storm-advice in the space below:

FOR THE TECHIE:

- Back up all of your important data.  Power outages may be likely during severe tropical storms and hurricanes and you will need to make sure all of your critical data is stored.

- Print a list of important phone numbers

- But a back up battery for your cell phone

- If you are forecasted for a direct hit, unplug all of your computer and electronic equipment in advance of the storm.  This will keep it safe from a power surge.  This includes computers, monitors, printers, TV's, and fax machines.

- If you are concerned about flooding, cover all of your equipment with plastic and lift all machines off your floors to protect against water damage.

- Have a backup phone handy.

- Keep vital paper documents and records of accounts both personal and professional in a safe and dry place where they can be EASILY located once the storm has passed.

- Gather emergency supplies, 2 way communication, battery operated television or radio, extra batteries, flashlights, first aid kits, emergency tool kit, food water and utensils (remember the can opener if you are stockpiling canned goods)

 

FOR THE HOME:

- Know where and how to shut off utilities at the main switches or valves

- Move chairs and beds away from windows, mirrors or large pictures.

- Remove heavy items stored on shelves more than 30" high.

- Should a tornado hit your area DO NOT use matches, lighters, or appliances or operate light switches until you are sure there are no gas leaks.

 

FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:

- Write down your specific needs- limitations, capabilities and medications- keep this list on you.

- Find someone nearby who you know who will agree to assist you in case of an emergency.  Give this person a copy of your needs list.  You may also want to provide a spare key to your home.

 

SOME TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A tornado/storm WATCH means tornado/storm IS POSSIBLE in your area.

A tornado/storm  WARNING means tornado/storm IS OCCURRING in you area.

 

GET EVERYONE ON BOARD:

- Take a few minutes with your family and develop a tornado emergency plan- this should include a sketch of the floor plan of the building you are in.

- Look for more than one way to leave a room.

- Know where your first aid kit is located

- Show your family how to administer basic first aid and how to use a fire extinguisher.

 

AFTER THE STORM:

One of the most common questions I get after a storm is this:

IF MY NEIGHBORS TREE FALLS IN MY YARD, WHO PAYS FOR THE DAMAGE? (And of course conversely "If MY tree falls in my neighbor's yard... who pays?")

Before we get to the answer, I'd like to share a couple of reminders for you to help calm your nerves during what can be a very frustrating time. Remember, just like I say on TV- this is MY 2 cents... it's up to you to spend it wisely.


STORM CLEAN UP- PROTECT YOURSELF FROM NON-REPUTABLE CONTRACTORS:

First- as you clean up from the storm, beware of fly-by night service providers offering to help you cut down trees. You want to make sure those you employ carry proper insurance and the proper know-how to get the job done right. Any reputable contractor should carry workman's compensation insurance and be able to show you a certificate verifying such. If you hire someone without this insurance, and they are injured while doing work for you, you open yourself up to being sued to pay for their injuries.

Be sure to ask the contractor you are about to hire for references. Then IN ADDITION check their record with the BBB- remember if it is a franchise of a national company, be sure to ALSO check the BBB in the city where the company’s headquarters is based as this is where complaints and records will also be filtered to.


PAYING FOR REPAIR WORK:

Beware of workers who want you to pay up front. Payment should be made at the CONCLUSION of their work (after you have reviewed and approved the job they did).

If ABSOLUTELY necessary, you can give a deposit for HALF of the amount of the estimated total up front- if you do... pay with a check NEVER in cash. This way you can stop payment if the work is not completed.

ALWAYS get a written estimate of any work you are having done. Make sure both parties sign the document AND be sure to initial next to the dollar amount and ask the service provider to do the same. This will ensure that there is no disagreement over how much the job was supposed to cost.

Draw lines through 'extra' boxes on the invoice where additional charges could be plugged in later. You would never write someone a check without ensuring your safety, right? Think of the invoice as a documented promise of the check you will eventually write.

Ask to be notified IN ADVANCE if there are any additional charges that come up during the contracted work.

Remember there very well may be legitimate extra charges (i.e.: a tree that is leaning on a power line, damage that is more extensive than you thought)- just because an additional fee is added on for additional service that is discovered during the work process, doesn't mean it is necessarily bogus.


DOCUMENTING DAMAGE AND REPAIRS:

Take plenty of pictures of the damage and any work you have done (before, during and after it is done). It is always better to OVER document events.


WHAT REPAIRS SHOULD I DO IMMEDIATELY?

In most cases it is best to repair any damage that, if not fixed immediately, will result in further damage.

Save your receipts! Go a head and do MINOR repairs which are needed to prevent additional damage (these are most often able to be reimbursed through your insurance provider) but hold off on doing anything major until AFTER you contact your insurance agent.


WHAT ABOUT MY PIPES?

Pipes that break are commonly covered under your homeowner's insurance policy. If there is an active leak that is causing additional damage, your insurance company may allow you to have it repaired immediately to prevent further damage. However, you should hold off on doing major repairs until after they are approved by your insurance provider. 


WHAT ABOUT THAT FALLEN TREE?

Keep in mind a fallen tree is a TEMPORARY SITUATION who you live next to is a situation that will most likely last years- whenever possible KEEP THE PEACE.

Here is some info for you:

If one of YOUR trees falls and damages a neighbor's property, the folks at the Insurance Information Institute in New York say, generally speaking, it is your NEIGHBOR'S insurance policy that is called upon to pay the damage. Since his insurance is being impacted, you probably won't face an insurance premium increase as a result.

HOWEVER, your neighbor could come after you to cover his deductible. In the interest of neighborly relations you may want to pitch in somehow (maybe at least split the cost of the deductible).

THE UPSIDE? Your neighbor and you are still on speaking terms.

PLEASE NOTE: The American Insurance Association, in Washington, D.C. reports- if a tree falls on your home and the incident happens to involve a COVERED PERIL such as lightning (so yes, check to see if the "ice storm" was covered), no matter whose tree, YOUR insurance company should pay for YOUR home repair.

THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS IS: If the damage happens as a result of negligence (if the tree was dead before it fell and you had proof that your neighbor knew or should have known that the tree was dead) then the damage becomes your neighbor's liability. (Remember the same goes for your trees... so now may be a good time to see which ones are standing strong and which ones have to come down or be cut back)

Please stay safe during what looks like it will be a busy weekend- feel free to add any advice you may have below.