TROPICAL UPDATE: Gulf Coast homeowners watch Gustav

Forecasters report that, based on the latest information from the Hurricane Hunter aircraft, Tropical Storm Gustav is nearing Jamaica and sustained winds are now around 7o MPH. To the dismay of Gulf Coast homeowners, Gustav continues to strengthen and will probably make landfall somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico by the middle of next week.

It’s been only three years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, so homeowners have good reason to be wary of the oncoming storm. The Insurance Information Institute claims that Katrina did more damage than any other hurricane in history. Homeowners and business owners in those areas are still building back their homes and businesses that were devastated in the storm.  Some reporting that their insurance rates have gone up a whopping 300%!

In hopes to prevent any more damage to those areas of Louisiana and Mississippi, Local Gulf Coast Officials are already preparing homeowners in that region for hurricane precaution such as reviewing evacuation and safety information. What can you do to prepare? Homeowners concerned about the storm should read Hurricane Preparation Tips and pay attention to advisories on local news/weather stations.

Aside from Gustav, Tropical Storm Hanna has also been reported off of the Cape Verde Islands.  This system is disorganized for now- but we will continue to monitor it and keep you posted.

HomeInsurance.com Agent