S.C. areas prepared for storms

Lowcountry coastal counties rank 2nd on poll; rest of state’s coastal areas 8th

By GREG HAMBRICK and JENNY BURNS

McClatchy Newspapers

Lowcountry homeowners are among the most prepared along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts for the hurricane season, according to an insurance industry poll released Thursday.

The June survey of 4,200 coastal residents found that those in the polling area that included Beaufort and Jasper counties ranked second, with 58 percent of respondents stating that they had prepared for a hurricane.

Louisiana led the poll.

The rest of the South Carolina coast, including Charleston and Myrtle Beach, came in eighth, with 53 percent.

The region likely did well because residents understand the threats in the event of a storm, said Allison Dean Love, spokeswoman for the S.C. Insurance News Service, an industry-funded, nonprofit insurance resource.

Still, “this shows some good news and some bad news. It’s good that we are better prepared than other areas,” Love said. However, “the most important lesson is to make sure you have flood insurance even if you live in a moderate-risk zone.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted 13 to 16 named storms in the season that runs through Nov. 30, with eight to 10 hurricanes. Four to six of those could be major hurricanes with winds stronger than 110 mph.

William Winn, Beaufort County’s emergency management director, said county officials and staff have preached preparedness for evacuations and recovery.

“Ask yourself, ‘If I come home and I can’t move into my house, what can I do?’” Winn said. “Then ask your insurance agent the same question.”

In the survey, homeowners were asked if they had reviewed or updated their home insurance, established a separate flood policy or prepared their home for a storm. They also were asked if they had a disaster kit and if they had stored important documents.

Love said there are many residents still unprepared for a storm.

“That’s one of the purposes of the study,” she said. “To help draw attention to that people still need to prepare.”

Love said homeowners should make sure windows, doors and roofs are prepared to weather a storm and should check insurance policies for deductible rates that can differ for storm damage.

Buyers also should know there’s a $250,000 limit on flood insurance on homes and a $500,000 limit on businesses. If the home or business is worth more, the homeowner needs an extra policy, Love said.

“I know there are homes and businesses in your area worth more than that,” Love said.

Coastal residents might need up to six different insurance policies to completely cover their home, she said.

The National Flood Insurance program has issued about 167,000 flood insurance policies in South Carolina, and 97 percent of those are in high-risk zones, Love said. The average cost of flood insurance policy is $466 a year, she added.

Also, there’s a 30-day waiting period for federal flood insurance to take effect.

“There’s still time. If they call immediately, it will be August 7 or after before they’ll be covered,” Love said.

Jenny Burns is a reporter for The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Greg Hambrick is a reporter for The Beaufort Gazette.