AAA urges Floridians to avoid driving thorugh the storm; prepare for potential flooding
AAA urges Florida residents – especially those along the east coast – to brace for bad weather from Hurricane Isaias. This means preparing your home and making plans to stay off the road.
“This storm has the potential to create very dangerous driving conditions for those in the path of this storm,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – the Auto Club Group. “Although AAA roadside service technicians are prepared to help stranded motorists, we recommend drivers follow the guidance of local authorities and stay off the road if conditions are unsafe.”
AAA discourages Floridians from driving in the storm; but if you must be on the road, there are certain guidelines to abide by.
Tips for Driving in the Rain
- Slow down
- Increase your following distance
- Turn your headlights on
- Turn your hazard lights off
- Avoid using cruise control
- Avoid flooded areas
- If poor visibility, pull over to a safe place and wait for the rain to ease up
Too Late for Flood Insurance
The potential for storm surge and heavy downpours raise concerns of residential flooding. Because of a 30-day waiting period, it is too late to purchase flood insurance for this storm. However, there are a few things residents can do now to protect their property from rising waters.
Tips to prevent flooding at your home
- Place plastic sheeting and sand bags at doorway openings
- Check for and seal openings in roof, windows and doors
- Clear debris from gutters, drains and downspouts
Plan for Future Storms
“This the first of what could be many storms that target Florida over the next few months” Jenkins continued. “Since peak hurricane season is not until in mid-September, Floridians should act soon, if they want to get a flood insurance policy in time.”
Top Reasons to Get Flood Insurance After Isaias Passes
- There’s a 30-day waiting period
- Homeowner’s insurance does not normally cover flooding
- Every zone is a flood zone; 20% of annual flood claims come from homes in low risk zones
- Just one inch of flooding can cause $27,000 in damage to your home
- Flood insurance rates start at less than $1 per day
Despite the risk, two-thirds (65%) of Floridians do not have flood insurance, which is separate from homeowners insurance. That’s according to a recent AAA survey of Florida residents.
“Flooding should be a major concern for Florida residents, whether they live in a high risk flood zone or not,” said Peter Corrigan, President, Auto Club Insurance Company of Florida. “It’s important to make sure you have a flood insurance policy now, because if you wait until a future storm approaches, it will be too late.”
About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among residents living in Florida from May 20 – May 24, 2020. A total of 401 residents completed the survey. Survey results have a maximum margin of error of ± 5.9 percentage points. Responses are weighted by gender and age to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Florida.
About AAA - The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 14 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 60 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.