Washington, D.C., Jul 15, 2005 - With hurricane season already reaching Florida’s shores, I wanted to provide you with important information about hurricane preparedness.

June 2005 was the most active early period on record for the Atlantic hurricane season, with four named storms – Arlene, Bret, Cindy and Dennis – forming by July 5. We must learn from last year’s devastating and destructive season and prepare for any storms that may head our way before the summer’s end.

There are several steps you can take to protect your home and family from hurricane damage. Placing storm shutters over windows or installing hurricane straps on roofs is effective at reducing damage to your home. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also recommends such steps as planning an evacuation route, clearing your yard of any loose objects, and storing bottled water. Gas up your automobile and get cash from the bank before a hurricane hits.

You should also make sure you are financially prepared for hurricanes. For starters, conduct a household inventory of your possessions. A video recording is always a good idea. This will be invaluable in helping you prove the value of your property if it is damaged in a hurricane. Make sure you keep two copies of your financial records and that they are stored in separate locations.

Insurance can also be a big help if and when your home suffers hurricane damage. Homeowners insurance may not cover floods or major disasters. Look into full replacement or replacement cost coverage, which would compensate you in the event of your home’s destruction. Also, have your home periodically reappraised so that your insurance most accurately reflects the property value.

As we continue into the 2005 hurricane season, you should periodically access FEMA’s Web site for the most updated information and weather alerts at www.fema.gov. Additionally, feel free to contact my office with questions or concerns. I will continue to work with Florida officials, utility companies, and FEMA throughout this hurricane season to ensure our communities are taken care of when we face these storms in the future.