A week ago an unseasonable October snowstorm hit the Northeast and left 3 million people without power – including 770,000 Connecticut residents. Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy declared a state of emergency and told ABC News, “This is the largest number of power outages that we have ever experienced.”

Approximately 741,000 residents were still without power as of Monday, according to Connecticut Light and Power, and some may be in the dark until the end of the week.

Whether you’re still in the dark from this unprecedented blast, or you’re one of the fortunate few who avoided the pre-season winter debacle, the storm it’s a good reminder that winter is right around the corner and now is the time to prepare for future winter power outages.

Preparing for winter power outages isn’t unlike getting ready for other power outages, but freezing temperatures mean there are a few extra precautions you can take to stay safe when the lights go out.

An Alternative Source of Heat

It’s one thing to be without lights or the ability to use computers, TVs, and other electronic devices, but in the winter months the loss of power often means no heat. To avoid being cold and in the dark, you may want to invest in a wood stove or gas-heating device. Extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothes are also good to have on hand in the event of a power outage.

Stock Up on Water

An extended power outage during the winter can lead to limited or no water, so it’s important to have an emergency supply of commercially bottled water. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends at least one gallon of water per person per day. On average, a person needs at least a half-gallon of water just for drinking each day.

A supply of easy-to-prepare foods: As with other power outage, it’s important to have a supply of easy-to-prepare, non-perishable food on hand for a winter power outage. When putting together your supply, avoid foods that make you thirsty since water may be limited. Canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that don’t require refrigeration, cooking, or water are all good options. Store your food in a cool, dry area to prevent it from spoiling and put boxes of food in plastic or metal containers to keep pests out. It’s also important to include a manual can opener with your supply.

Light Sources

Portable, battery-operated flashlights are a must during a power outage, and each person in the house should have a flashlight and an extra set of batteries. Candles and matches are also useful in the event of a blackout.

Other Considerations

In addition to the necessities, there are a few other things you might want to consider when planning for a winter power outage, such as: a battery-operated radio (for news and weather updates); a fully charge cell phone; extra prescription medications; and first aid kit.

If you lose power, you can report outages or check the status of an outage with Connecticut Light and Power at cl-p.com or by calling 800-286-2000.

If you have questions about your homeowners insurance and what winter storm damage is covered by your policy, your Gerardi independent insurance agent is happy to answer any coverage questions.

You can also find helpful information on the State’s website, click here.

Photo credit for photo 1: Image is courtesy of Maggie Smith at Freedigitalphotos.net.

It isn’t often that Connecticut falls prey to a hurricane, but next time a storm hits the state, homeowners could get a break on the out-of-pocket expense they incur from storm damage.

The Hartford Courant reports that the Connecticut Insurance Department is reviewing the guidelines for hurricane deductibles. These new guidelines will prevent insurers from charging higher deductibles unless the state sustains hurricane-force winds of 74 mph or higher, according to George Bradner, director of property-casualty at the Connecticut Insurance Department.

The Insurance Department’s review began after Hurricane Irene, which toppled homes on the coast and caused significant damage throughout the state. In the wake of the storm, the department received complaints from many homeowners who were enraged by the high deductibles charged by some insurers. Insurers that do business in Connecticut are allowed to write homeowners polices that have higher deductibles for hurricanes than other types of storms, which is why some homeowners paid a higher deductible for damage caused by the Aug. 28 storm.

At the urging of Gov. Dannel Malloy and Insurance Commissioner Thomas Leonardi, numerous insurers waived the higher deductibles for damage Irene caused to coastal properties.

“We are grateful that so many companies have stepped up do the right thing and we will continue our efforts with others in the industry,” Malloy said in a press release. “Certainly, what has been accomplished so far is gaining a much-needed financial break for many, but the long-term benefits of helping individuals put their lives back together are incalculable.”

However, there were some insurance companies that chose not to reduce or waive the higher deductibles because they felt it would be unfair to customers in other parts of the country who suffered losses and paid their deductibles.

Right now, insurers can charge higher deductibles for the time the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for anywhere in the state to 24 hours after the warning ends or 24 hours after a hurricane is downgraded. If approved, the new guidelines will limit insurer’s ability to charge higher deductibles because time will no longer matter, instead wind speed will be the only determining factor when it comes to changing hurricane deductibles.

Homeowners currently pay a hurricane deductible of one to five percent of their home’s value, so the new guidelines could save them thousands of dollars if and when another storm hits the state.

Amending the state’s hurricane deductible guidelines doesn’t require a legislative vote; Commissioner Leonardi and the Insurance Department just need to approve the changes before they can take effect. However, the department says the process could take some time as it continues to discuss changes.

Hurricane season ends Nov. 30, and hopefully our state won’t fall victim to another storm this year. But if you ever have any questions about your homeowner’s policy or hurricane coverage, your independent agent at Gerardi Insurance is always happy to help.

Credit: Image is courtesy of Dan at Freedigitalphotos.net.

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