72-Hour Grindstone Family Readiness Guide
Will your home protect you through the emergency And if it doesn’t, are you prepared to recover afterward?
When we think about emergency shelter, most of us think about what happens after the storm:
Where will we sleep, how will we stay warm, and what will we do if our home is damaged?
But shelter preparedness really begins long before the clouds roll in.
Your home is your family's first shelter. Preparing it, maintaining it, documenting what you own,
and understanding the insurance protecting it are all part of being ready.
This week, we're going to look at both sides of shelter preparedness: protecting the home you
have and preparing for what you will do if you can't stay there.
Prepare The Shelter You Already Have
Before a storm is ever on the radar, homeowners should be looking at the house itself:
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Inspect the roof for loose or damaged shingles, flashing and leaks.
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Keep gutters and drainage paths clear.
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Trim dangerous limbs and remove dead trees near the house.
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Secure or have a plan to secure outdoor furniture, grills, trash cans and other objects that
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can become projectiles.
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Know how to shut off electricity, water and gas safely.
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Identify the safest location in the home for tornadoes or severe wind.
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Consider what happens if power is lost for several days—not just several hours.
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Photograph the exterior and interior of the home before disaster strikes.
Know what your insurance actually says
Ask Your Insurance Agent BEFORE the Storm
Don't simply ask,
“Am I covered?”
Ask:
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Is my dwelling insured for Replacement Cost Value or Actual Cash Value? Actual Cash Value (ACV) considers depreciation. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) is based on repairing or replacing the damaged property at today's cost.
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Is the roof treated differently? This is worth calling out specifically. Some policies may provide replacement-cost coverage for much of the house while settling an older roof on an actual-cash-value basis.
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Do I have Extended Replacement Cost or Guaranteed Replacement Cost? Extended replacement coverage can provide additional money above the dwelling limit when rebuilding costs exceed expectations. Oklahoma's Insurance Department notes this can be especially useful after a widespread disaster, when labor and material prices can
rise.
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Is my “Coverage A” limit enough to rebuild my house?
This is different from what a realtor says the house is worth or what you could sell it for.
The land doesn't have to be rebuilt. The house does. Current labor, lumber, roofing,
electrical, plumbing and other construction costs matter.
Additional questions to ask:
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What is my wind/hail deductible?
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Is there a separate percentage deductible for windstorms or named storms?
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Do I have ordinance or law coverage if rebuilding requires bringing an older house up to current code?
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What are my limits for detached garages, shops, sheds, fences and other structures?
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Is my personal property covered at replacement cost or ACV?
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What is my Additional Living Expense/Loss of Use coverage if the house becomes uninhabitable?
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What disasters are specifically excluded?
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Do I need separate flood, earthquake or other coverage?
The exclusions question is important. For example, standard homeowners insurance generally
does not cover flooding, so flood protection normally requires separate coverage.
Document what you own
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Walk through the house with your phone
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Open closets. Open cabinets. Record the garage. Record tools. Appliances. Electronics.
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Furniture. Equipment. Serial numbers where practical
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Don't wait until the house is gone and then try to remember everything that was in the kitchen junk drawer
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The Oklahoma Insurance Department specifically recommends maintaining a home inventory to determine whether personal-property coverage is adequate.
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Store that inventory somewhere other than only inside the house
If the house becomes unsafe
Even with the best preparation, a disaster can leave your home damaged, without power, or simply unsafe to remain in. Your 72-hour plan should include the supplies you need to stay sheltered, warm, and protected whether you are able to remain on your property or need to leave quickly. The goal is not to prepare for every possible situation, but to have enough basic supplies and a plan in place so you aren't trying to figure out what you need in the middle of an emergency. If there is structural damage, fire, rising water, a gas leak, carbon monoxide, or authorities order evacuation, the preparedness plan changes from staying comfortable to getting out safely.
Emergency Shelter Supply List:
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Emergency blankets or wool blankets
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Sleeping bags appropriate for your climate
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Warm layers rather than relying on one heavy garment
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Hats, gloves and dry socks
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Rain gear/ponchos
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Tarps and cordage
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Emergency shelter/tent if appropriate
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Hand warmers
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Safe backup heating options designed for indoor use
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Carbon-monoxide detectors with battery backup
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Fire extinguisher
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Waterproof matches/lighters for appropriate outdoor use
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A plan for pets
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A predetermined place you can go if remaining isn't safe
Prepare for recovery before you need to recover
Before the storm:
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Inspect your home for repairs needed
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Keep your insurance policy number, agent's contact information, mortgage information and important documents in your emergency document kit
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Take photographs
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Create an inventory list
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Know your deductible
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Know where you would stay
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Know how you would contact the insurer
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And know what your policy will actually pay, not what you assume it will pay