Living on the Carolina coast, the excitement over the joyous, summer months is absolute! Freedom shines along with the sun — family boat rides, fireworks, festivals and an eternity of lazy days sprawled in the sand and surf. The arrival of June also signifies the start of hurricane season (see the exact dates below) and as anyone from here will tell you, it's paramount to prepare. When a storm makes its way into the forecast, you can buy gallons of water and canned goods and you can board up your house. However, the most crucial step in protecting your home, your health, your family and your finances is to verify that you are properly insured. Flatlands Jessup Insurance Group has been helping North Carolinians with exactly that since 1963. They see to it that you are safe from financial struggle or setbacks in spite of sickness, accidents, or disasters. Each agent at Flatlands Jessup, (like our friend, Andrea Barefoot, pictured above in black) has a distinct focus and definitive skills, but all believe in education and explanation with one-on-one personal care so there are no surprises for their clients. They build relationships that are long-term with a foundation of knowledge, support, connection and trust. One of the benefits of enlisting the services of an independent insurance agency is they are equipped to offer a broad range of plans in order to provide excellent, comprehensive, ongoing insurance to suit the specific needs of each individual client so that no risk is left exposed. We spoke to Paige Allen Harris, one of the owners at Flatlands Jessup. She and the other owners of the company are second homeowners here on the Crystal Coast which is why they chose Morehead City as the site for their fifth office. Their goal is to give back and support this growing community they love. She says, "if you do the right thing, the pennies add up!" Scroll to see what they recommend you keep in your hurricane emergent kit!
NON -PER ISHABLES & PLENTY OF WATER
Keeping a stock of non-perishable food and water will help alleviate grocery store stress both before and after a storm occurs.
FIRST AID KIT
It sounds like a no-brainer, but many forget to include a simple first aid kit in their hurricane bag. Be sure to include any medications that you take on a regular basis.
BATTERY RADIO
In the event that the power is out, staying apprised of storm updates is key. Don't forget to stock up on batteries, too!
CASH
In the event of a power outage, ATMs may be unusable and stores may not be able to process credit cards. Keep cash in your kit to purchase things like food, water and medicine after the storm.
STORAGE
Utilize an airtight, waterproof bin (with a lid!) for your hurricane emergency kit to ensure all of the contents stay safe and dry.
LED LANTERN
This Lighthouse Core Lantern by GoalZero features a USB charging port and a long-lasting battery to keep your potentially powerless nights bright.
DOCUMENTS
Make a copy of all important family documents (insurance policies, identification,
bank account records, etc.) and keep in your hurricane preparedness bag.
The incredible folks at Flatlands Jessup Insurance Group will help prepare your family for hurricane season and anything else you need covered – all in one place. To learn more, visit
www.FlatlandsJessup.com, give them a call at 252-515-1900 or visit their Morehead City location at 3332 Bridges Street, Suite D!