If Mother Nature was trying to send us a message in 2017, it reminds me of the adage “When Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”. Mountains ravaged by wildfires weaponized into a tsunami of mud, boulders, and fallen trees offers this clear message: we’d be wise to heed the lessons of the past and prepare for a continued increase in weather related catastrophes.
According to this this alarming report by Associated Press News, the U.S. experienced a series of unprecedented weather events in 2017. Below are some of the “highlights” cited in the AP report :
- Total cost for weather disasters in the United States was a record $306 billion
- Three of the five most expensive hurricanes in U.S. history hit last year:
- Harvey caused massive flooding in Texas: $125 billion
- Maria’s damage in Puerto Rico: $90 billion
- Irma’s damage, mainly in Florida: $50 billion
- Western wildfires caused $18 billion in damage. According to NOAA, this total is three times the U.S. wildfire record.
- NOAA also reported 2017 was the third hottest year in U.S. records for the Lower 48 states — a full 2.6 degrees warmer than the 20th century average.
- This was the third straight year that all 50 states had above average temperatures for the year.
- Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and New Mexico — had their warmest year ever.
Rather than using this post to debate the possible causes for such disturbing weather trends, I instead urge readers to ask this important question:
“IF my home and belongings are ravaged by a catastrophic weather event, will my insurance coverage provide the level of protection I want to rely on?”
With so much to lose, I encourage readers to sit down with an insurance professional who specializes in helping those they serve by crafting a protection program that “starts with the end in mind”. I work with specialists in all 50 states and internationally, and would be happy to provide an introduction to a personal risk advisor who can help you to prepare now for a possible catastrophe tomorrow.
