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Wildfires

Creating a fire-resistant zone around a building through landscaping can help protect it from burning vegetation. This involves dividing the area around the structure into “zones” and planting the appropriate shrubs for each zone.

Zone 1 is the area closest to the building and involves the space from the structure out to about 50 feet. Vegetation in this area should include small, low-growing plants that won't provide fuel for the fire.

Zone 2 ranges from 30-100 feet from the building and should have low-growing ground cover that is resistant to fire. When properly maintained, these plants can help stop a fire before it reaches a structure.

Zone 3 falls 70-100 feet from the structure and is a transition area where low fuel-volume plants and native vegetation would be planted. They should be thinned out regularly to prevent becoming fuel for a fire. Other factors that impact this zone are the steepness and slope of the area and the size and density of the vegetation. Sloped areas cause fire to move more rapidly than flat areas. Approximately 20 feet of space should be left between large shrubs and trees in this area.

Zone 4 is 100 feet from the structure and comprises native vegetation. All plants should be pruned to reduce volume for wildfires. Avoid creating “ladder fuels” with low-lying vegetation that can ignite larger or higher bushes and branches on trees nearby by allowing vertical separation between plants.

“Firescaping” with the right plants can also reduce the risk of fire. Fire smart plants are those with a higher moisture content that are usually low growing and have stems or leaves that don't have oily residues. Plants such as evergreens, junipers and conifers have resins and waxes that can burn intensely. Ornamental grasses and berries are also highly flammable.

Roofs are easy targets during a wildfire, so non-combustible materials are recommended. Tree branches should be trimmed back from the structure, and dead trees and vines should be removed completely. Clean leaves out of gutters and stack firewood at least 30 feet away from the house.

Exterior walls are susceptible to a wildfire's heat. Masonry walls like stone or brick, and cement, plaster or stucco materials are more heat resistant. While vinyl, aluminum and steel may not burn, the high heat from the fire can affect their integrity. The heat will also cause glass skylights, windows and doors to fracture. Using single- or double-pane windows reduces the chances of fracturing.

Hurricanes

Today's technology allows forecasters to identify hurricanes at their earliest inception — usually when they are halfway around the globe. You don't need to be a weather expert, but it's smart to be familiar with storm terminology so you know when it's time to gear up your resources for a hurricane or other weather event.

It is important to be familiar with hurricane terminology:

Tropical Storm — A low-pressure, tropical system with winds near the center between 39 and 73 mph.

Hurricane — A hurricane has sustained winds near the center of a tropical storm that reach 74 mph.

Watch — Means conditions are possible. Occurs within 36 hours of a hurricane or tropical storm.

Warning — When a hurricane or tropical storm is expected in a specified area within 24 hours.

Eye — The center of a hurricane with the strongest winds and heaviest rains.

Storm Surge — The onshore push of ocean water from high winds that makes landfall.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are categorized according to the Fujita Tornado Intensity Scale. The categories can cause everything from light damage from high winds to major devastation. Here is a short description of each category from the NOAA:

Category F0 — Gale tornado with wind speeds of 40-74 mph. These usually cause light damage such as breaking tree branches, blowing sign boards and may damage some chimneys.

Category F1 — With wind speeds of 73-112 mph, a moderate tornado is capable of pulling the surface off of roofs, pushing mobile homes off of their foundations and forcing vehicles off of the road.

Category F2 — Tornadoes in this category have winds clocked at 113-157 mph and are considered significant. They can cause considerable damage like demolishing mobile homes, push over boxcars on trains, snap or uproot large trees and make any light object into a dangerous projectile.

Category F3 — Severe tornadoes with 158-206 mph winds fall into this category and are capable of tearing off roofs and walls, overturning trains and lifting heavy cars off of the ground.

Category F4 — At 207-260 mph, these winds cause devastating damage. Well-constructed homes can be leveled and structures with a weak foundation can be blown off some distance.

Category F5 — This is almost a Wizard of Oz-size storm with winds at 260-318 mph, capable of incredible damage such as carrying homes a considerable distance before they are disintegrated. Automobiles can become dangerous missiles and the bark can literally be blown off of trees.

Lessons Learned

Insurance Auto Auctions shares five lessons their company learned from responding to catastrophes:

1. Coordinate with local authorities and value their crisis response process.

2. Review your catastrophe plans and make sure they are up to date.

3. Closely monitor severe weather.

4. Work with first responders and other stakeholders ahead of time to formulate emergency plans.

5. Time management is critical — especially after a severe CAT. Maximize your resources with proper planning.

Effective catastrophe plans anticipate the worse and cover a variety of scenarios. Since insurers are often the first line of defense when a catastrophe strikes, this is one area where policyholders can learn from the experts to effectively manage their risks.