Motorists And Homeowners Need To Prepare For The Storm
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With high winds from Hurricane Fay hitting Florida this week, motorists and homeowners are getting ready.
The Department of Transportation reports that motorists are calling to find out if roads will be closed.
Of particular concern are our many bridges that travel over water, as well as the new elevated flyovers that take cars high above the congestion below.
When are winds too high to travel on them? The Florida DOT says there is no wind threshold that requires vehicles to stay off the elevated roadways. It’s up to the local law enforcement.
You cannot realistically close roads and leave people with no way to get out, however it is possible to restrict high profile vehicles such as trucks, busses, and RVs.
Motorists can call 511 for traffic information. Newly constructed electronic signs along portions of I-95 will keep drivers updated on any road or bridge closures. Stay put if you are not required to evacuate, the DOT says the last thing it needs is a broken down car choking our roadways.
It’s also a good time to review your flood insurance or to determine whether you are in a flood zone.
In Florida, the Office of Insurance Regulation estimates that about half of single family homes located in high flood risk zones do not have flood insurance. Most private insurers do not offer flood insurance and a standard homeowners’ policy will not cover a flood-related loss.
Check out your options at FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, www.fema.gov and you can find out your flood risk by putting your address into the National Flood Risk Insurance Program at www.floodsmart.gov.
We are right in the middle of hurricane season and one thing we have learned from hurricanes past - never assume it’s not coming our way. #