New York is one of the best places to live in the USA – and while many only think of the world’s most famous city, there are plenty of opportunities for families to settle in Albany, Rochester, Yonkers, and many other cities.
Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine in New York, which is certainly true when it comes to natural disasters. Every year, there seems to be a new disaster that impacts our state, including flooding, severe storms, and bad weather.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the most common natural disasters in New York and how they impact properties. We’ll also provide some tips on how you can prepare yourself and your property for these events.
Floods
Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in New York, and they’re usually a result of severe weather, dam failure, and even flash flooding.
Floods can cause extensive damage to your property, including structural damage, mold growth, and water damage.
If you live in an area prone to flooding, such as Broome County, it’s essential to have a plan in place.
This should include having sandbags ready to go, knowing how to turn off your utilities, and carrying a list of emergency contacts.
Many people in the New York area also have go-bags, including essential medication, clothing, and emergency food.
You should also consider investing in flood insurance – it’s not required by law, but it could save you a lot of money if a flood damages your property.
Wildfires
<Wildfires are another common natural disaster in New York. They typically occur in the summer months and can be caused by lightning strikes, campfires, and even cigarettes.
While wildfires don’t typically cause as much damage to property as floods do, they can still cause extensive damage. This is especially true if the wildfire is close to your home or business.
To prepare for a wildfire, you should create a defensible space around your property by clearing away any brush or dead trees that could catch fire. You should also plan to evacuate your family and pets if necessary.Wildfires are another common natural disaster in New York. They typically occur in the summer months and can be caused by lightning strikes, campfires, and even cigarettes.
While wildfires don’t typically cause as much damage to property as floods do, they can still cause extensive damage. This is especially true if the wildfire is close to your home or business.
To prepare for a wildfire, you should create a defensible space around your property by clearing away any brush or dead trees that could catch fire. You should also plan to evacuate your family and pets if necessary.
Winter Storms
Winter storms are a common natural disaster in New York. They can include blizzards, ice storms, and even just heavy snowfall.
While winter storms may not seem as dangerous as other natural disasters, they can still cause a lot of damage to your property, especially if you live in an area that is prone to power outages.
Making sure your home is insulated and has enough water and food for around three days is a good idea, and you should also have plenty of blankets should your power go out.
Hurricanes/Tropical Storms
Hurricanes and tropical storms are other common natural disasters in New York, and they typically occur in the late summer and early fall months and can cause a lot of damage to your property.
You can do a few things to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm. First, you should have an emergency kit ready to go, including food, water, medication, and a battery-operated radio. You should also have a plan for evacuating your family if necessary.
Droughts
Droughts aren’t a common natural disaster in New York, but they can happen. They can cause structural issues with your home as the foundations can sink into the earth when they do.
You can help reduce the impact of droughts by planting drought-resistant plants in your garden. These plants will need less water and be more likely to survive during a drought.
However, there’s little you can do to protect your property, so it’s always a good idea to have insurance. As droughts are relatively rare, it’s advisable to use a public adjuster service to help with insurance claim processing.
Landslides
Landslides are a common natural disaster in New York and are most common during the spring and fall months.
In most cases, landslides are secondary events caused by heavy rain, earthquakes, and even construction work.
New York is known for its mountainous topography, and certain areas will be more prone to damage than others. However, landslides don’t typically cause as much damage to property as other natural disasters.
The extent of the damage depends on how close the landslide is to your home or business, so your insurance premium might be higher in some cases.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are pretty rare in New York, but they can happen. The most dangerous aspect of tornadoes is their speed.
People typically have 15 minutes to act before it hits, and the consequences can be fatal -not to mention the potential damage to your property.
There are some vital things you can do to prepare for a tornado. First, you should have an emergency kit ready to go, with food, water, medication, and a battery-operated radio.
You should also have a plan for evacuating your family if necessary.
Is New York More Prone To Natural Disasters Than Other States?
While New York has its share of natural disasters, other states such as Oklahoma, California, and Texas see more damage than New York.
Most of this is attributable to the location, but New York’s intense and volatile winter months are when property damage usually occurs.
Final Thoughts
Natural disasters can be devastating, but they don’t have to be. If you live in New York, it’s essential to prepare yourself for the worst. Make sure you have an emergency kit ready to go, and always do your best to protect your property.
If your property suffers from these natural disasters, there will inevitably be some damage. But with a good insurance company, you’ll be able to claim these losses and get your property back to its pre-damage state.
Our public adjusters work with people across New York, ensuring they receive the right compensation, no matter what fate throws their way. If you’d like to discuss our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.