Hurricane Myths in Southwest Florida

We’ve all heard of some quick and easy remedies for protecting our homes during hurricane season, but how many of them actually work?

Here are some common hurricane myths and how they can actually do more harm than good:

1. Putting masking tape or window film over windows will prevent window damage and protect my home during a hurricane.

False. Putting tape over your windows may prevent the glass from shattering into small pieces inside your home but the glass can shatter regardless. Only impact-resistant coverings can fully protect your home during a windstorm.

2. Cracking open windows will allow wind pressure inside to equal the pressure outside.

False. Not only will leaving your windows open get the inside of your home wet, but it is also dangerous. Experts agree it’s important to prevent wind from entering your home and creating something called internal pressurization. For the most protection, keep all windows or doors sealed during a storm.

3. You only need to protect windows and doors facing the ocean.

False. All windows and doors need to be covered by impact-resistant shutters or 5/8-inch plywood. Wind can come from all directions and can change direction unexpectedly, and leaving any opening uncovered can put your family and home in harm’s way.

4. If the power goes out, you should light candles.

False. Never use candles, gas or oil lanterns indoors during a hurricane. You can risk causing a fire or ignition. If a fire starts during a hurricane, firefighters will be less likely to respond in a timely manner, and you can risk serious damage to your home. Without proper ventilation, lighting candles can put your family at a higher risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use battery-powered flashlights if the power goes out.

5. Once a hurricane passes, life returns to normal.

Depending on the severity of the storm and the damage, it could take days, weeks or even months before the power comes back. The strongest winds may have died down, but tornadoes, rain, and flooding can occur after a hurricane. It’s important to have enough supplies to last at least a month after a storm.

6. Water stored in bathtubs/sinks can be used as drinking water.

False. Water stored in bathtubs and sinks should never be ingested. Lead from the bathtub can get into the water over time, making them unsafe for drinking. They should only be used for cleaning purposes.

7. You can go outside during the eye of the hurricane.

False. Due to the light winds, people think it’s safe to go outside during the eye of a storm. There is no way to tell how long these winds will last. Strong winds can return quickly from different directions. Outside wreckage, like down power lines, can pose an additional danger. The safest thing to do is to stay indoors, no matter how calm it looks outside.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued new guidance regarding the Payment Protection Program (PPP), established to offset the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Small businesses can request loans from the PPP to help cover payroll costs. This new guidance from the SBA concerns employees who refuse to return to work after a business reopens.
Background
Small businesses can request loans from the PPP to be used as wages for employees, up to 2.5 times the average monthly payroll. Using the funds this way makes the loan entirely forgivable. The catch is that the business must rehire the same number of full-time employees that it used to calculate the PPP loan amount.
The problem is that many employers don’t necessarily need all those staff members to return, especially if operations have been slowed. Furthermore, some employees may not even want to return—and not necessarily for coronavirus concerns. Some employees might be making more with unemployment benefits and don’t want to lose them by returning to work.
What’s New
The SBA understands some employees may not wish to return for a number of reasons, so it issued new guidance. As long as businesses “make a good faith” effort to rehire employees—and explain that they may lose their unemployment eligibility by not returning—the businesses would not face a penalty under that portion of the loan.
Employers should carefully document any communication with employees in case they refuse to return to work and evidence is needed when requesting PPP loan forgiveness.
Read the full text of the guidance below:
Question: Will a borrower’s PPP loan forgiveness amount (pursuant to section 1106 of the CARES Act and SBA’s implementing rules and guidance) be reduced if the borrower laid off an employee, offered to rehire the same employee, but the employee declined the offer?
Answer: No. As an exercise of the Administrator’s and the Secretary’s authority under Section 1106(d)(6) of the CARES Act to prescribe regulations granting de minimis exemptions from the Act’s limits on loan forgiveness, SBA and Treasury intend to issue an interim final rule excluding laid-off employees whom the borrower offered to rehire (for the same salary/wages and same number of hours) from the CARES Act’s loan forgiveness reduction calculation. The interim final rule will specify that, to qualify for this exception, the borrower must have made a good faith, written offer of rehire, and the employee’s rejection of that offer must be documented by the borrower. Employees and employers should be aware that employees who reject offers of reemployment may forfeit eligibility for continued unemployment compensation.
For more information, visit SBA.gov.

Six Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance – #5

The cost of homeowner’s insurance is one of those unavoidable expenses that comes along with owning a house.  How much you’ll pay for insurance varies depending on your location and the age of your home.  It can feel like a big expense, but knowing you’ll be reimbursed if something happens to your most valuable investment can be priceless. 

5th Check out flood insurance. Always know when purchasing your home if you’re in a flood zone and if you are, know what your Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is. Your BFE will determine the height at which the flood carrier determines your price. If you have equipment in the garage such as hot water heater, make sure it is elevated. We have seen flood polices go 6x the regular price just because a hot water heater sits on the ground. In Charlotte County we are experiencing a flood map change and it is very important to call your agent or us to find out all the ins and outs of this change. The maps haven’t changed here in about 30yrs! Also, even if you are not in a flood zone it is important to get a quote. People think oh my gosh flood insurance is so expensive. Well if you’re not in a flood zone you’re probably looking at about $400-$600 per year to cover your most prize possessions. Just remember one in five flood claims come from homes that are NOT in a flood zone.

 

Learn more at www.Jonesfamilyins.com