Guides written to be read

How Much Generator Fuel to Store Safely for a Hurricane

Storing gasoline for a hurricane generator takes planning. Learn how much fuel you need, how much you can safely keep, and how to store it.

Storm Readiness Check vs. Home Inspection: Key Differences

A storm readiness check and a home inspection answer different questions about your house. Here's what each covers, and when you might need both.

How to Check If Your Neighborhood Has Flooded Before

Pull real flood history for your address using flood maps, NOAA archives, and local records. See what these sources can and cannot tell you.

What Size Generator Runs Your Sump Pump in a Storm?

Learn how to size a generator for your sump pump, including startup wattage, running watts, and what to check before storm season.

The Insurance Checklist to Finish Before a Storm Hits

Gather policy docs, photos, and coverage numbers before a storm. Learn why flood coverage needs its own policy.

How to Check If Your Area Has a Flash Flood Warning Now

Water rising fast? Here's where to check live flash flood warnings, what the terms mean, and how to tell a real warning from an old one.

Flooded Pantry Canned Food: How Long Is It Safe?

Floodwater touched your canned goods but the cans look fine. Here's how long they're safe, what to discard immediately, and how to disinfect the rest.

Family Emergency Communication Plan for Hurricane Season

Build a family emergency communication plan before hurricane season with out-of-area contacts, meeting points, and backup ways to reach each other.

Foods That Last Longest Without Power in a Storm

When power fails, your fridge has hours. Here's what to stock so your family eats well for days without electricity.

Storm 5 Days Out: A Day-by-Day Prep Timeline

A storm sits five days out on the forecast. Here's what to do each day, from checking your policy to the final hours before landfall.

Hurricane Watch vs Hurricane Warning: The Real Difference

A hurricane watch and a hurricane warning are not the same alert. Here is what each one means, how much time it gives you, and what to check right now.

How Many Watts You Need to Run Essentials in a Blackout

Figure out the real watts your household needs before a storm knocks out power. Running watts, starting watts, and where the math has limits.

What to Photograph Before a Storm for Insurance Claims

Photograph insurance policies, ID, and home inventory before a storm hits. A checklist for documents to store safely online and offline.

Check your ZIP code's flood insurance claim history

Find out if your ZIP code has a history of flood insurance claims. Understand your area's flood risk.

Portable vs. Inverter Generators: What Works for Home Backup

Learn how portable and inverter generators differ in power output, fuel use, noise, and cost so you can pick the right backup.

Cost to run a portable generator for 24 hours

Calculate the real cost of running a portable generator for one day. Fuel consumption, wattage, and practical examples.

48-Hour Hurricane Prep: Renter vs. Homeowner

What renters and homeowners each need to do in 48 hours before a hurricane. Different priorities, same goal: safety.

How a 3-Minute Storm Readiness Check Scores Your Home

See what actually goes into a 3-minute storm readiness score, from roof age to flood risk, and how to turn the results into real prep steps.

Generator Size for a Fridge and Window AC During Outages

Learn how to size a generator for a refrigerator and window AC unit, with simple wattage math, safety notes, and links to a free sizing tool.

How Many Gallons of Water for a Family of Four in a Hurricane?

A plain-English breakdown of how much water a family of four should store before a hurricane, based on federal guidance, plus tips on storage and safety.

Wind Damage or Flood Damage: What Your Policy Covers

Wind and flood damage are covered by different policies. Learn how insurers draw the line and check your coverage before the next storm.

Repetitive Loss Property: What It Means for Flood History

Learn what 'repetitive loss property' means on a flood history report, how the NFIP defines it, and why it can affect insurance costs and resale value.

NFIP vs private flood, honestly

Flood generally isn't in your homeowners policy. The federal program versus the private market: caps, waiting periods, pricing, and the one move that's almost always right.

Your hurricane deductible, explained

It's probably a percentage of your home's insured value, not a flat number. The math in one table, what triggers it, and why it belongs in your emergency-fund plan.

Generator sizing, honestly

The four classes, why runtime beats size, the fuel math nobody does at the store, and the two safety rules with no exceptions. Pairs with the sizing tool.

After the storm: the claims guide

Photograph before touching, temporary repairs and receipts, calling early, the adjuster visit, and the door-knock contractors to slow down for.