In The Know: Buying Your Home in a Hurricane Zone

Buying your home in a hurricane-prone area demands more extensive and diligent research than buying a property in a region not known as one of the hurricane zones. Hurricane zones are coastal or adjacent to major bodies of water, making them susceptible to damage by hurricanes.

Safety and comfort are two of the most critical factors that must influence every decision that you make when you are buying your home in a hurricane zone. At every step of the process of purchasing a house, you must be thinking of your well-being as well as that of your family.

You must gain as much information about the property as possible to make sure that you make the right investment. In this guide, we hope to prepare you by helping you ask the right questions before buying your home in a hurricane zone.

Key Takeaways

Buying Your Home According To The Location

There are some terms you need to know when considering buying your home in an area prone to hurricanes. There are slight differences between two related terms: hurricane zones and flood zones.

Is Your House In A Hurricane Zone Or A Flood Zone?

Flood maps, available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), identify hurricane zones and areas vulnerable to other forms of flooding. These maps are available online via the Flood Map Service Center (MSC) of FEMA.

Before buying your home in a hurricane zone, visit the official website and enter your address or location to view the areas at high risk of flooding. These maps will indicate whether your home is in a hurricane-prone area or a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This distinction is essential when purchasing a house and making decisions regarding your insurance.

The damage caused in hurricanes due to destructive winds is covered by homeowners insurance, but flood damage is not covered by standard home insurance. If your property is in a flood-prone area, you must comprehend the coverage provided by your insurance and consider getting separate insurance that includes protection against flood-related damage.

How to Check The Meteorological History Before Buying Your Home?

Before buying your home in a hurricane-prone area, you need to research the history of hurricanes and storms in the area you are interested in. You can start by investigating local records. Look up past hurricane reports that are particular to the area of interest. Government organizations, historical societies, and libraries keep records of previous hurricanes, their courses, and their effects.

You should utilize online resources, websites such as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), that document historical data about hurricanes. This information is also available from various online sources, such as governmental websites, weather services, and academic organizations.

If a specific property is on your mind when buying your home, you can look for any prior hurricane-related damage or repairs related to the property's history. Property records or seller disclosures may contain this information.

This will help you formulate the plans you need to protect your house. If the area's history shows frequent hurricanes, it will help you prepare for a thorough evacuation plan as well.

Which Flood Coverage To Select Before Buying Your Home?

Before buying your home, it is crucial to seek the expertise of an insurance agent – someone knowledgeable about properties in hurricane zones. A competent insurance agent will identify risks specific to your case and guide you accordingly. 

Homeowners insurance is the primary type of insurance that you consider when you are buying your home. It covers damage or loss to your personal belongings and property structure from wind, hurricanes, and other covered risks.

Nonetheless, to ensure that the policy guards against destruction caused by hurricanes, it's crucial to peruse your insurance plan and consider alternatives if you find it inadequate.

If your standard insurance plan excludes wind-related damage, you can also consider getting windstorm insurance. It is a separate policy availed by people who live in hurricane zones. Homeowners’ insurance plans don't cover flooding-related damage to properties. Insurance against flooding is a must in hurricane-prone areas.

Hiring an insurance agent when you are buying your home is beneficial because insurance agents often work with multiple insurance firms. They can offer a selection of insurance alternatives for your consideration. This will boost your chances of obtaining coverage at a reasonable cost.

Is Your House Structurally Ready?

Buying your home in a hurricane zone means that you have to take a great deal of care to make sure that the house is built to endure the effects of strong winds and elements of nature. When purchasing a house in a hurricane zone, it is essential to install hurricane shutters. 

For houses in hurricane zones, the roof must be sturdy and tolerate forceful winds. To ensure that the house remains structurally intact, selecting roofing materials is of utmost importance. Clay or concrete tiles, high wind-rated asphalt shingles, or metal roofing are advisable. 

Properties in coastal areas must be raised to reduce the chance of flooding during hurricanes. When buying your home, you should investigate if the prospective house satisfies these requirements for elevation. 

Buying your home in a hurricane zone can be an anxiety-inducing process. Suppose you are concerned about the risks of purchasing a property in an area vulnerable to hurricanes. In that case, you can alleviate your worries by hiring a professional to inspect your prospective house.

Structural engineers can assess a house's layout and structure to ensure it complies with building regulations and storm-resistant requirements. They can suggest strengthening or adapting buildings to withstand strong winds and hurricane conditions.

You can also hire licensed home inspectors who are qualified to evaluate a property's entire state, including its structural components. Even though they might not be structural engineering specialists, they can spot noticeable wear or damage that could compromise a house's ability to battle hurricanes.

In hurricane zones, seeking the advice of certified wind mitigation inspectors might be helpful. These professionals specialize in determining a home's susceptibility to damage caused by wind.

Parting Words

Buying your home in a hurricane zone is a process with complex challenges that you must navigate with diligence. Making an informed decision depends on the amount of information you have about the prospective house and the area it is located in.

FAQs

1. Are there guidelines that specify how a property must be built to be safe from hurricane-related damage?

The Fortified Home program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers guidelines to ensure that your property is constructed in accordance with these regulations.

2. How much does it cost to hire a professional to investigate the property’s structural strength in hurricane zones?

Hiring a specialist to examine the structural health of a property in a hurricane zone can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,500 or more, depending on the inspection type, location, and property size.