Hurricane Ida Drives Home Importance of Preparedness

Hurricane Ida recently dumped heavy rain and left a path of destruction across Pennsylvania, reminding us of the need to always have an emergency plan in place in the event of an unforeseen emergency. September is National Preparedness Month, which aims to increase the overall number of individuals, families and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, businesses, schools and places of worship. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) recommends the following emergency preparedness tips:

• Take a basic first aid or CPR class.
• Create a family emergency plan so loved ones know who to contact and where to go in an emergency.
• Have a small kit of emergency supplies in your home and car.
• Know how to turn off utilities safely in your home.
• Review insurance policies and coverage to ensure it is adequate for the hazards you may face.
• Purchase flood insurance.
• Build up an emergency fund.

More information about how to prepare for an emergency is available on the Ready PA website - www.ready.pa.gov

How to File for Damages, Avoid Scams Following a Flood

Following the strong storms, tornadoes and historic flooding from Hurricane Ida, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department is providing information to home and business owners to help them file insurance claims for damages and avoid scams. The department has produced a brochure entitled After the Storm which urges storm victims to:

• Contact the insurance company as soon as possible after the storm.
• Save all receipts.
• Take photographs or video before cleaning or making repairs.
• After documenting damage, make repairs needed to prevent further damage or to live in the home, but don’t make permanent repairs before the insurance company inspects the damage and approves the repairs.
• If possible, determine what it will cost to repair the property before meeting with an insurance company representative who will assess the damage. If there is a disagreement on the offer made to repair the property, individuals should be prepared to negotiate.

The brochure provides tips on how to avoid being a victim of home repair scams, which often follow major disasters. Consumers with questions or who wish to file a complaint can contact the Insurance Department’s Consumer Services Bureau, or call 1-877-881-6388. The department also has a dedicated Flood Insurance page for anyone interested.

It’s Safe2Say Something

With schools now back in session, it’s important to remind students, parents, teachers and community members about the Safe2Say Something program, which was established to offer an anonymous resource to report behavior perceived to be threatening to an individual or a school entity. In addition to potential threats, the program has also received reports relating to bullying, anxiety, depression and suicide. For more information or to submit a report, call 1-844-Saf2Say or visit safe2saypa.org. You can also download the "SafeToSay Something PA" app.