Preparing Your Grand Strand Home for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season arrives every June and extends through November, bringing the threat of devastating storms to South Carolina's coast. For homeowners along the Grand Strand, this isn't an abstract concern. It's an annual reality that requires serious preparation and the right insurance coverage.

A Myrtle Beach homeowner watched last season as neighbors scrambled to board windows and secure patio furniture hours before a hurricane's arrival. The frantic last-minute preparation could have been avoided with an early-season checklist and verified coverage.

Moore & Associates Insurance has served South Carolina residents since 1985, helping coastal homeowners understand their risks and secure appropriate protection. Whether you live in Surfside Beach, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, or Pawleys Island, preparing before hurricane season begins can protect both your property and your finances.

Understanding Hurricane Risk in South Carolina

South Carolina's 187-mile coastline faces regular hurricane threats. The state has experienced multiple major hurricanes over recent decades, with storms bringing dangerous winds, storm surge, and flooding that cause billions in damage.

The Grand Strand's geography creates specific vulnerabilities. Low-lying areas near the ocean face storm surge risks, while barrier islands receive the brunt of hurricane-force winds. Even homes several miles inland aren't immune to damage from fallen trees, flying debris, and torrential rain.

Hurricane categories measure wind speed, but they don't tell the whole story. A Category 1 storm can still cause significant damage, especially when combined with storm surge and flooding. Category 3 and higher storms are considered major hurricanes with devastating potential.

Understanding your home's specific risk factors helps you prepare appropriately and secure adequate insurance coverage.

Does Your Homeowners Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

This question confuses many homeowners, and the answer isn't simple. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wind damage from hurricanes, but it doesn't cover flood damage. This distinction is critical.

Wind Damage Coverage

The wind portion of hurricane damage usually falls under your standard homeowners policy. If hurricane-force winds tear shingles off your roof, break windows, or knock down trees that damage your home, your policy's dwelling coverage typically responds.

However, many South Carolina insurers apply a separate hurricane deductible rather than your standard deductible. This is typically a percentage of your home's insured value, commonly ranging from 1% to 5%. On a $300,000 home, a 2% hurricane deductible means you pay the first $6,000 of damage.

Hurricane deductibles usually trigger when the National Weather Service declares a hurricane watch or warning for your area. The deductible applies for a specific period, often 72 hours before until 72 hours after the storm.

The Flood Insurance Gap

Flood damage from hurricanes requires separate flood insurance. This surprises homeowners who assume comprehensive coverage includes all storm-related water damage.

Storm surge, heavy rainfall that enters your home, and rising water all fall under flood insurance, not homeowners insurance. Given the Grand Strand's coastal location, flood insurance often makes financial sense even if you're not in a designated high-risk flood zone.

Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers. There's typically a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect, so purchasing flood insurance as a hurricane approaches won't help with that immediate storm.

Creating Your Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Preparing your home before hurricane season begins reduces damage risk and makes evacuation smoother if needed.

Exterior Home Preparation

Roof inspection: Check for loose or damaged shingles that could become projectiles or allow water intrusion. Address repairs before storm season.

Trim trees and shrubs: Remove dead branches and trim trees away from your home, power lines, and structures. Hurricane-force winds turn branches into dangerous projectiles.

Secure outdoor items: Identify everything outside that could become airborne. Patio furniture, grills, potted plants, and decorations should have a storage plan.

Check drainage: Clean gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems to handle heavy rainfall. Poor drainage increases flooding risk.

Window protection: Install storm shutters or have plywood pre-cut and labeled for each window. Waiting until a storm approaches means supplies may be sold out.

Interior Preparation Steps

Document your belongings: Create a home inventory with photos or video of each room and valuable items. Store this documentation in the cloud or off-site.

Identify important documents: Gather insurance policies, identification, financial records, and medical information. Keep these in a waterproof container you can grab quickly.

Prepare an emergency kit: Stock water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and a battery-powered radio.

Know your evacuation route: Identify multiple routes away from coastal areas and know where you'll go if evacuation orders are issued.

When Should You Start Preparing?

Don't wait for a named storm to appear in the Atlantic. Start hurricane preparation in early May, before the June 1 official start of hurricane season.

Early preparation means you avoid the rush when a storm threatens. Hardware stores sell out of plywood, batteries, and generators quickly once a hurricane enters the forecast. Insurance companies stop writing new policies or adding coverage when storms approach.

April and May are ideal months to review your insurance coverage, complete home repairs, and assemble emergency supplies. This timing also allows you to purchase or adjust flood insurance before the waiting period could leave you unprotected.

Reviewing Your Insurance Coverage Before Storm Season

Schedule an insurance review every spring to verify your coverage matches your current needs.

Questions to Ask About Your Coverage

What is my dwelling coverage limit? Ensure it reflects your home's current replacement cost, not its market value or the amount you paid years ago. Construction costs increase over time.

Do I have flood insurance? If not, should you add it? Even homes outside high-risk flood zones experience flood damage during major hurricanes.

What is my hurricane deductible? Know the percentage and calculate the dollar amount you'd pay out of pocket. Make sure you could cover this expense if needed.

Is my personal property adequately covered? Standard policies typically cover personal property at 50-70% of dwelling coverage. High-value items may need additional protection.

Do I have adequate liability coverage? Hurricane damage sometimes creates liability situations, such as your tree falling on a neighbor's property.

What are my additional living expenses limits? If hurricane damage makes your home uninhabitable, this coverage pays for temporary housing and related costs.

What to Do When a Hurricane Threatens

Once a hurricane enters the forecast for South Carolina's coast, take immediate action.

Five to seven days before potential impact:

• Monitor weather updates from the National Hurricane Center
• Fill prescriptions and stock emergency supplies
• Photograph your home's current condition for insurance purposes
• Review your insurance policy and contact information
• Fill your vehicle's gas tank

Two to three days before potential impact:

• Bring outdoor items inside or secure them
• Install window protection
• Charge electronic devices and portable batteries
• Withdraw cash in case ATMs lose power
• Confirm evacuation plans

Twenty-four hours before impact:

• Follow evacuation orders immediately if issued
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings
• Turn off utilities if instructed
• Take your emergency kit, important documents, and irreplaceable items

After the Storm: Filing Insurance Claims

Once the hurricane passes and authorities declare it safe to return, document all damage before making temporary repairs to prevent further damage.

Take extensive photos and video of all damage. Document not just major issues but also smaller damage that might be less visible. Save damaged items until your insurance adjuster inspects them.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process. Keep detailed records of all expenses related to temporary repairs and additional living costs if you can't stay in your home.

Moore & Associates Insurance helps Grand Strand homeowners navigate the insurance process year-round. Located in Conway and serving Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, and surrounding communities, they can review your current coverage and ensure you're protected before the next storm threatens. Don't wait for a hurricane to appear in the forecast. Contact them today to verify your home is ready for hurricane season.