Disaster’s Don’t Wait, Make Your Plan Today

Hodgen Mainda, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of
Commerce and Insurance and the State Fire Marshal, shares his
perspective on why National Preparedness Month is important.

Ten years ago, Nashville and the surrounding areas were
devastated by a
flood whose magnitude will never be forgotten. As the
floodwaters invaded Nashville, took lives and damaged property and
public infrastructure, the nation watched with immense disbelief
and sadness. As the floodwaters receded, we pulled together,
volunteered and helped the city recover.

This year has brought a series of tornadoes, flooding and a
derecho across Tennessee simultaneous with the spread of COVID-19,
wildfires in the west and hurricanes in the gulf. We have yet again
faced unbelievable sadness and devastation nationwide. As we always
do, I know that Americans will pull together, overcome and move
forward in the aftermath of immense devastation.

September is National Preparedness Month. This month we take
time to prepare for disasters and learn from past disasters.
Unfortunately, disasters don’t wait, they can happen at anytime
and anywhere. Therefore, it is important that you create a plan for
you and your family today. It all starts with a conversation among
your friends and family about how you will communicate, what you
will need and where you will go before, during and after a
disaster. In these unprecedented times, make sure to update your
plan based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
recommendations due to the ongoing coronavirus.

Next, build a disaster kit. You should gather supplies for
everyone living in your home and ensure the supply will last for
several days after a disaster. Remember to consider the unique
needs of each person or pet in case you must evacuate very quickly,
such as specific medications and medical supplies. Be sure to
include items such as face masks and hand sanitizer in case you
must go to a shelter after the disaster strikes.

Not all insurance policies are the same and you should be sure
to review your policy to make sure the amount and types of coverage
you have meet your requirements for all possible hazards. For
example, homeowner’s insurance does not typically cover flooding,
so you may need to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program.
�Flood insurance is vital for flood preparedness because aid can
take months and it may not be enough to cover the costs of
rebuilding a home in the aftermath of a flood. 

Having insurance for your home or business property is the best
way to make sure you will have the necessary financial resources to
help you repair, rebuild or replace whatever is damaged.

As a nation, let’s volunteer to be better prepared by taking
the right steps to protect the life you have built and your
property. Preparedness begins with you.

Learn more at Ready.gov.