(Smyrna) – Governor Jack Markell declared a Limited State of Emergency in Sussex County, Delaware, as of 12noon, Friday, October 2.  State offices remained open and no driving restrictions were implemented.  Drivers should remain aware of localized road closures caused by high winds and flooding.

In his Limited State of Emergency declaration, Governor Markell noted that state and local officials are taking the necessary steps to prepare for possible evacuations.

Assets of the Delaware National Guard were deployed to Kent and Sussex Counties in support of local efforts.  Residents of flood-prone areas were reminded by Governor Markell to prepare for possible evacuations, though none have been ordered at this time, and to continue monitoring local media and state and local agencies for updates.

The Delaware Emergency Operations Center remains activated with a reduced staff overnight; however additional staff are on standby and can be called in if needed.

A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until 6:00 PM, Sunday, October 4.

 

The National Weather Service says that widespread tidal flooding will occur through multiple successive high tide cycles through the weekend.  Tides over the weekend are likely to be near or at the Friday high tide levels.  A building surge into Saturday, combined with 6 to 10 foot breaking waves and periods of moderate or heavy rain will contribute to the tidal inundation flooding.

The next high tide will occur near midnight Friday night.  The Saturday high tide will occur in the early afternoon.  High tide on the back bays occurs later than the high tide on the oceanfront.

More roadway flooding is possible, especially during the daytime high tide cycle through the weekend.  Minor to moderate property damage is possible.  The tides and wave action will probably result in moderate beach erosion.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) says its crews have been working during the past 24 hours to remove debris along roadways, clear storm drains and grates to reduce the potential for flooding, and have placed portable signs in areas where roads are flooded.

DelDOT reports these roads are closed due to flooding:

New Castle County:

Woodland Beach Rd. east of Rt.9

Nonesuch Creek at Airport Rd.

Old State Rd. at Old Corbitt Rd.

Pyles Lane at Pigeon Rd.

Rt. 9 at Fleming Landing Bridge

Rt. 9 between Paddock Rd. and Woodland Beach Rd.

 

Kent County

North Market Street in Frederica

South Bowers Beach Rd. at Webbs Cut-off

Rt. 9 between Paddock Rd. and Woodland Beach Rd.

Port Mahon Rd. at Rt. 9

Rt. 6 between Rt. 9 and Woodland Beach Rd.

 

Sussex County – Rt. 1 southbound is now OPEN between Fred Hudson (Rd.360) and Dewey Beach

Rt. 1 northbound is CLOSED between Fred Hudson (Rd.360) and Dewey Beach

Primehook Rd.

Rt. 16 eastbound from Rt. 1 to BRd.kill Beach

Front St. in Milton

River Rd. between Rd. 297 and Rd. 312A

Longneck Rd.

 

Many roads have water on the roadway, but are passable.  Motorists should use caution.

 

For information on current road closures and restrictions, log onto http://www.deldot.gov/information/travel_advisory/#trafficBox2

 

Motorists should remember that conditions may change quickly and other roadways could flood or contain water.  Use caution on all roadways and watch for standing water.

 

The speed limit on I-495 has been lowered to 55 MPH.

DART First State buses operated on normal schedules statewide Friday.  Riders should check the DART website for weekend operation notices.

No large areas of power outages have been reported.

Officials from NASCAR and Dover International Speedway cancelled Friday activities at the track.  NASCAR fans who are wondering about the status of the remainder of the weekend events should log onto http://www.doverspeedway.com/news_content/friday-oct-2-events-at-dover-international-speedway-postponed/.

Governor Jack Markell has declared a Limited State of Emergency in Sussex County, Delaware, effective immediately.  State offices will remain open and no driving restrictions have been implemented.  Drivers should be aware of localized road closures caused by high winds flooding.

In his Limited State of Emergency declaration, Governor Markell noted that state and local officials are taking the necessary steps to prepare for possible evacuations and road closures, though none have been ordered at this time.

Assets of the Delaware National Guard have been deployed to Kent and Sussex Counties to act in support of local efforts.  Governor Markell also reminded residents of flood-prone areas to prepare for possible evacuation and to continue to monitor local media and messages from state and local agencies for updates.

The Delaware Emergency Operations Center is activated with a reduced staff, today, Friday, October 26, 2015; however additional staff are on standby and can be called in if needed.  A Coastal Flood Warning will be in effect from 11:00 PM this evening to 7:00 AM Tuesday (October 6).

The National Weather Service says a high impact weather pattern is affecting our region today into Saturday.  The main threats are major coastal flooding with heavy surf and beach erosion, as well as very strong winds along Atlantic coastal areas.

Moderate to major coastal flooding is expected today and tomorrow along the Atlantic coast, as well as along the lower Delaware Bay.  In addition, moderate coastal flooding is expected on the upper Delaware Bay.  Problems caused by coastal flooding are likely to continue into Sunday, but the threat of coastal flooding from Hurricane Joaquin has been greatly reduced by new forecast tracks that show the storm will move further out to sea.

High winds are accompanying our current storm, and winds along the coast tomorrow could gust up to 40-50 MPH.  This will impact coastal areas, and moderate flooding is anticipated around the time of tonight’s high tide.

The strong northeast winds are expected to continue into at least Saturday, with wind gusts of 25 to 40 mph likely over inland locations, and wind gusts of 45+ mph possible in coastal areas.  Additional rainfall of only one half inch to 2 inches is expected.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) says its crews have been working during the past 24 hours to remove debris along roadways, clear storm drains and grates to reduce the potential for flooding, and have placed portable signs in areas where roads are flooded.

DelDOT reports these roads are closed due to flooding:

Sussex County

Primehook Road closed in Milton

River Road closed in Oak Orchard

Front Street closed in Milford

Nanticoke Road – Water on roadway

Turn Point Road – Water on roadway

Inlet Road – Water on roadway

Mercer Avenue in Oak Orchard – Water on roadway

Kent County

Old Cemetery Road near Route 1 -Water on roadway

Old Cemetery Road and Tubmill Pond Road – Water on roadway

Tubmill Pond Road – Water on roadway.

Market Street in Frederica – Water on roadway

Skeeter Neck Road – Water on roadway

Williamsville Road between Holly Hill Road and Blairs Pond Road – Water on roadway

Prospect Church Road, south of Route 14 – Water on roadway

Deep Grass Lane between Thistlewood Road and Williamsville Road – Water on roadway

Hills Market Road between Route 13 and Sugar Stick Road – Water on roadway

Andrewsville Road between Gallo Road and Prospect Church Road – Water on roadway

Allabands Mill Road between Todds Mill Road and Camden-Wyoming Avenue – Water on

roadway

Killens Pond Road, just north of Bloomfield Road – Water on roadway

South Bowers Beach Road at Webbs Cut-off – Water on roadway

Todds Chapel Road between Hickman Road and Fishers Bridge Road – Water on roadway

Hazlettville Road between Wyoming Mill Road and Artis Drive – Water on roadway

Big Stone Beach Road between New Wharf Road and Greenhouse Road – Water on roadway

New Wharf Road between Big Stone Road and Route 1 – Water on roadway

Deep Grass Lane between Williamsville Road and Rod Club Road – Water on roadway

Barkers Landing Road, just east of South State Street – Water on roadway

Cypress Branch Road, just north of Ponderosa Drive – Water on roadway

John Hurd Road between Spectrum Farms Road and Meredith Road – Water on roadway

 

DelDOT is also monitoring conditions along coastal highways such as Route 1 between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach, and the Charles W. Cullen Bridge over the Indian River Inlet, and may close portions if necessary.

The speed limit on I-495 has been lowered to 55 MPH.

DART First State buses are on normal schedules statewide.

No large areas of power outages have been reported.

Officials from NASCAR and Dover International Speedway say that Friday activities at the track have been cancelled.  A number of high school football, field hockey, and soccer games have been postponed.  Fans should contact individual schools to determine the status of their games.

For information on school closures, log on to http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/.

Insurance Commissioner Stewart Says It’s Not Too Late to
Protect Your Family and Property from Hurricane Damage

Act Now to Make Filing a Claim Easier After a Storm

Dover, DE – As Hurricane Joaquin approaches the U. S. East Coast, now is the time for Delaware residents and homeowners who could be in the path of the storm to make preparations for damages. There is still time to take several simple steps that could make filing an insurance claim after a storm easier. Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offer these tips to help protect your family and your possessions.

It’s Not Too Late to Create a Home Inventory

To make the claims process easier, it’s imperative to have a complete list of the belongings in your home. An inventory should include all of the vital information about your belongings (brand name, price, date of purchase, model, serial number and receipts) and should be accompanied by photos of the items. The NAIC has a free smartphone app that can walk you through creating just such a database. The iPhone version is available here, the Android version here. A simple-to-use home inventory checklist is also available on the NAIC Insure U website. If you don’t have time to create a comprehensive list of the items in your home, then quickly videotape and/or photograph every room. The more detail you include, the easier it will be for your insurance company to evaluate your loss. When making your list, make sure to open drawers and closets, and don’t forget to take stock of what’s in your garage and storage buildings.

Once you have made your inventory, or taken photographs of your home, e-mail the information to family or friends living out of the hurricane threat or your insurance agent.

Collect Your Insurance Information

Store copies of your insurance policies with your home inventory. Make sure to have a copy of your policy declarations page listing all of your coverages, as well as your insurance cards.

It’s also important to have 24-hour contact details for your insurance agent and insurance company. Make a list that includes your policy numbers, your insurance company and insurance agent’s phone numbers, website addresses and mailing addresses. Also, check to see if the company or your agent has set up an emergency information hotline. It is a good idea to store this information, and your home inventory, in a waterproof, fireproof box or safe. If you evacuate your home, don’t forget to take this information with you.

Before a storm hits, review your insurance policies. Make sure you know what is and is not covered. If you have questions, contact your insurance agent or company.

NOTE! Flood damage is not covered by a standard homeowners or renter’s insurance policy. If you have a separate flood insurance policy, remember to include a copy of the policy and the contact details for the insurance company on your list.

Prepare for the Worst

There are steps you can take to help mitigate some of the damage caused by a hurricane or tropical storm. If your home is equipped with storm shutters, make sure you can quickly put them in place. Clear your yard of debris that could become projectiles in high winds and trim dead or overhanging branches from trees surrounding your home. It’s also a good time to make a quick review of your home to make sure the roof sheathing is properly secured, that end gables are securely fastened to the roof, and that doors and garage doors are latched properly.

For personal safety, identify the nearest storm shelter and have an evacuation plan for your family. Also, make sure you have hurricane survival supplies including: bottled water, a first aid kit, flashlights, a battery-operated radio, at least three days of non-perishable food items, blankets, clothing, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, personal hygiene supplies and enough cash for at least three days.

If you are forced to evacuate your home, turn off all utilities and disconnect appliances to reduce the chance of additional damage and electrical shock when utilities are restored.

For more information about how to prepare your family and home for the threat of tropical storms or hurricanes, visit the American Red Cross’ website or download their Hurricane Safety Checklist.

After the Storm

The days following a natural disaster can be confusing and stressful, but it is important that you focus on filing your insurance claim(s) as quickly as possible to help protect your financial future.

The first step to getting your home restored is to contact your insurance company and/or agent with your policy number and other relevant information. Be aware that your policy might require that you make this notification within a certain time frame.

Take photographs/video of the damage before clean-up or repairs. After you’ve documented the damage, make repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your property (cover broken windows, leaking roofs and damaged walls). DO NOT have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. Be prepared to provide the claims adjuster with records of any improvements you made prior to the damage. Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs.

If your home is damaged to the extent that you cannot live there, ask your insurance company or insurance agent if you have coverage for additional living expenses.

Cooperate fully with the insurance company. Ask what documents, forms and data you will need to file the claim. Keep a diary of all conversations you have with the insurance company and your insurance agent, including names, times and dates of the calls or visits and contact details.

Be certain to give your insurance company all the information they need. Incorrect or incomplete information may cause a delay in processing your claim.

If the first offer made by the insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate. If there is a disagreement about the claim, ask the company for the specific language in the policy in question and determine why you and the company interpret your policy differently. If you believe you are being treated unfairly, contact your state insurance department.

Protect Yourself from Home Repair Fraud

Home repair fraud increases exponentially following a major storm. Protect your investment by getting more than one bid from contractors and requesting at least three references. Ask for proof of necessary licenses, building permits, insurance and bonding. Record the contractor’s license plate number and driver’s license number, and then check for any complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Finally, be wary of contractors who demand up-front payment for repairs. If the contractor needs money to buy supplies, go with the contractor and pay the supplier directly.

More Information

For information about storm preparedness visit the Department of Insurance’s webpage dedicated to the topic: http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/departments/consumer/StormPrepare.shtml . If you have questions about your insurance coverage the Consumer Services division can be reached at 1-800-282-8611.

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www.delawareinsurance.gov

Atlantic Hurricane Season Started June 1: Prepare Now for Severe Weather
Dover, DE–Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart wants Delaware residents to prepare for the potential damages and interruptions brought by strong summer storms and hurricanes; the Atlantic hurricane season started June 1. Doing the proper planning now can potentially help save time, money and frustration in the coming months should your home or personal property be negatively impacted by storms, floods or other natural disasters this summer or fall.

The Department of Insurance has a Storm Preparedness webpage filled with resources and information about what to do before, during and after a major storm. There’s an abundance of information about protecting your home or business from damage, and tips for preparing for meeting with an adjuster if your property sustains damages. Visit the Storm Preparedness webpage here: http://delawareinsurance.gov/departments/consumer/StormPrepare.shtml

Commissioner Stewart advises, “Now is a great time to update your personal property inventory for your home, or create one if you’ve never done it before. With today’s technology this process is easier than ever with the help of the free app, MyHome Scr.APP.book, for your smartphone.” The Department of Insurance also has a home inventory PDF that can be printed. For links to all of these resources visit the Storm Preparedness webpage. “Having an up-to-date home inventory will help make the insurance claims process much easier should your home be damaged by a natural disaster,” notes Commissioner Stewart.

If you do not have flood insurance and live in a flood-prone area it is highly recommended that you consider purchasing flood insurance. Homes located at low elevations and near bodies of water, especially along the state’s eastern limits, are particularly susceptible to flooding during strong thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes. Keep in mind that most flood policies require a 30-day waiting period before they become effective. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, just a single inch of floodwater can cause more than $10,000 in damage to a home. Floods and flash floods occur in all 50 states, and they cannot always be predicted or prepared for which is why purchasing a flood insurance policy as soon as possible is critical to ensuring your property is protected in the event of a disaster.

Below is a brief list of items the Delaware Department of Insurance suggests that you review now, before a disaster strikes. For a complete list of items, visit the Storm Preparedness webpage, mentioned above in this article.

• Make sure that you understand the deductible provision of your policy.
• Keep all of your insurance policies in an easily accessible location.
• If forced to evacuate, keep with you at all times your insurance records, including the name and telephone number of your insurer or insurance agent.
• Be certain you understand the claim procedures of your insurance company.
• Make sure you have insurance up to at least 80% of the value on your home to avoid penalties under any co-insurance provision of your policy.
• Keep all necessary information regarding your health coverage, including prescription information, with your insurance records in the event of an evacuation.

“For the best protection consider scanning all of these important documents and saving them in your personal e-mail or online storage account,” notes Commissioner Stewart. “That way, if documents are lost in a disaster you can still access them from anywhere. Be prepared, you’ll thank yourself later!”

The Delaware Department of Insurance also recommends that residents have evacuation plans and prepare an emergency supply kit. It is recommended that a supply kit should contain: plenty of bottled water, a first aid kit, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, non-perishable food items, blankets, clothing, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, personal hygiene supplies, and a small amount of cash or traveler’s checks. Additionally, if you need to evacuate your home, turn off all utilities to reduce the chance of additional damage and electrical shock when utilities are restored. For more information on these topics visit www.ready.gov.

The Delaware Department of Insurance invites you to find out about storm preparedness, and more, at www.delawareinsurance.gov. From the homepage you can connect to our Facebook page and Twitter account where helpful information is posted on a regular basis. Consumers with questions about their insurance can always call the Consumer Services Division at 1-800-282-8611.

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Delaware Department of Insurance: “Protecting Delawareans through regulation and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”

In the past few weeks, Delaware has experienced severe weather occurrences resulting in extensive property damage. Today, Insurance Commissioner Stewart shares insurance tips to all Delawareans related to storm damage.

Commissioner Stewart stated that, “Following the disastrous weather systems that we have recently experienced throughout our state, I wanted to share important tips for Delawareans filing an insurance claim for damage caused by the storm. This process can be challenging and the Department of Insurance is available to help.”

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has outlined the top five reminders that will assist consumers in the wake of a storm.

1. Key Coverage Information

Flood Insurance: Flooding—or an excess of water (or mud) on normally dry land—is not covered by a typical homeowners or renter’s insurance policy. Consumers who have purchased a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) should contact the insurance agent or company that wrote their policy to begin the claims process.

Sewer Backup Coverage: Ask your insurance agent or carrier if an endorsement for sewer backup coverage was added to your homeowner’s policy. If so, your losses may be covered if the water damage was caused by sewer lines backing up through your home’s drain pipes.

Loss of Use Coverage: If your loss was caused by a covered peril and the home is not fit to live in, you may be entitled to additional living expenses to maintain your normal standard of living.

Debris Removal: Most policies do not cover damage to trees or landscaping, but many policies have debris clean-up allowances. Check your policy and talk with your agent to see if your policy has this coverage.

Coverage for Other Structures: Damage to structures other than your house may be covered if connected to your house by a fence or utility line and the loss was caused by a covered peril, such as wind.

Deductible: Your deductible is the amount of the damage that you are responsible to pay. This amount could be different following a hurricane than it would be following another covered loss. If the cause of the loss is a named storm, it is likely you will be responsible for a percentage of the loss, based on the replacement cost. This percentage should be stated on your homeowners or renter’s declarations page. State laws differ on what designations trigger a hurricane deductible. If you question the deductible amount your insurance company expects you to pay, contact the Delaware Department of Insurance.

Business Interruption Coverage: It could be days before businesses in the most heavily affected areas can open again. Business interruption insurance covers lost earnings due to circumstances stated in your policy—such as fire or hail—that shut down your business for an extended period. Business interruption/continuation insurance covers expenses associated with running your business, like your payroll and utility bills, based on your company’s financial records. Business interruption/continuation may also help pay for the extra expenses to keep your business in operation until you recover. This coverage generally includes a waiting period that serves as the deductible.

You may have several different policies that cover all of the damages from the storm (a flood policy, a homeowners policy, an auto policy that may cover damage to your car from flooding), and it is likely you will have to file separate claims for each loss.

2. Protecting Your Damaged Property

If your home has damage, once it is safe, it is your responsibility to make sure that the damage is not made worse because you did not take action. That means if you have a part of your roof missing, it is your responsibility to make the effort to cover the hole. As part of your claim, your insurance company will typically reimburse the expense of these temporary repairs—assuming the loss was caused by a covered peril—therefore, retain all of your receipts. Before making any repairs, take photos of the damage. If you remove personal property from the home, do not dispose of it until an adjuster from your insurance company has reviewed it for your claim. Many policies include reimbursement for storage costs.

3. Contacting Your Insurance Company or Agent

If your area has storm damage, it is likely your local agent is dealing with the same issues. You should have a copy of your policy or insurance card with your disaster preparation materials, but if you do not, an insurance company representative should be able to help you find this information. Often insurance companies will mobilize disaster response teams to come to you following large-scale disasters. A disaster response team that comes to your area can help you figure out what damages are covered, can start your insurance claim and will often cut you a check toward that claim to help you start the recovery process.

The Delaware Department of Insurance will also help you find contact information for your insurance company following a widespread disaster. We can also help answer questions about your coverage or assist if you are having problems with your claim.

4. Power Outage

There are a couple things to know if you lose power. First, if a fallen tree is to blame for the power outage, it is possible that the cost to clean up the tree may be covered by your homeowners insurance. Additionally, you may have heard that the stockpile of food going bad in your refrigerator or freezer is covered by your insurance. It is true that a homeowners or renter’s policy does often allow for compensation for food losses up to a certain amount. However, this is generally a fairly low dollar value like $500.00. If your deductible (the amount of the claim you are responsible to pay) is equal to or greater than this, unless you have other losses, you probably cannot claim just the loss of the food.

5. Home Inventory

When you file a claim you will be asked to make a list of everything damaged or destroyed. This process can be easier with a good home inventory. If you do not have a home inventory, sit down as a family and make the list room by room. If you forget something in your initial list, you can add to it at a later date.

As you purchase new belongings, either update your home inventory if you already have one, or start an inventory. You can download the myHOME Scr.APP.book app for iPhone® or Android smart phones to get you started. The app. can be found on the Delaware Department of Insurance website and the app guides you through capturing images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers, and storing them electronically for safekeeping. The app also creates a back-up file for e-mail sharing. If you would rather do it by hand, a paper version can be downloaded also on our website. Once you have completed the home inventory, talk with your agent to make sure your homeowners or renter’s policy is adequate to cover your new investments.

More Information

These tips, along with other helpful information can be found on the Delaware Department of Insurance website at: www.delawareinsurance.gov. Please contact the Delaware Insurance Commissioner’s Office at 1-800-282-8611 with questions and inquiries about insurance. For more information about the National Flood Insurance Program, including guidance on filing a claim, go to www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/.

Commissioner Stewart would like everyone to be informed when it comes to insurance and the necessary steps to be prepared in the event of a natural disaster. Stewart shared that, “Delawareans reported over $7.4 million dollars in damages in 2012, as stated in a recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) study on hazardous weather, fatalities, injuries, and damage costs. We will likely experience similar weather-related disaster issues this year. Proper planning and consumer awareness can keep a natural disaster from becoming an insurance calamity.”