RISMEDIA, August 31, 2010—It’s been five years since Hurricane Katrina came roaring into the Gulf Coast, dramatically changing New Orleans and the lives of those who called it home. While there is very little homeowners can do when facing a natural disaster of that magnitude, the anniversary is an important reminder that with a little planning and preparation, homeowners can better protect their home and family from a disaster.
The experts at HouseLogic—a free, comprehensive consumer website about all aspects of homeownership—say that with research and a little work, homeowners can quickly develop a plan that will help them reduce losses and recover faster following a natural disaster.
“Families build their futures through homeownership, and HouseLogic should be a homeowner’s first stop when it comes to increasing, maintaining and protecting the value of his or her home,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of a Tucson, Arizona-based real estate company. “Sometimes it’s unpleasant to think about disaster plans and preparing for the unknown, but it’s an important thing for homeowners to do to ensure the continued safety of their family and homes.”
According to HouseLogic, homeowners should begin their natural disaster preparations by developing a plan. A good disaster plan includes not only an emergency preparedness kit, with important papers, food and water, and extra blankets and flashlights, but also a well-thought out plan for how family members will evacuate and communicate—making sure that everyone in the family is familiar with the plan and knows what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.
Homeowners should also make sure their home is properly insured against natural disasters, since many plans
