Gulf Shores hosts hurricane preparedness expo as storm season ramps up
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WAKA) – Hurricane season officially began June 1, and communities like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have already seen dozens of heavy downpours this year.
Officials say it only takes a little rain and wind to turn a perfect beach day into a dangerous one. That’s why the city of Gulf Shores is working to make sure both new and longtime residents stay prepared for the stormy season with its annual hurricane preparedness expo.
“Most homeowners are underinsured, and because of that, if a storm comes through, they’re having to come out of pocket with money to repair their homes if they are under-insured,” said Candace Wheat, a technical outreach specialist for Smart Homes America. “So we encourage everyone to take a moment, look at your insurance policy and talk to your insurance agent. They’re the ones that can give you all the information and break it down in the best way, so you understand where your coverage lies and what you’d be responsible for when that storm does hit.”
Other vendors focused on what happenes after a storm passes.
“We get a lot of questions about whether the city handles debris removal, and they do, but after a hurricane, there can be very large quantities of debris,” said Drew Sprinkle, regional manager for Crowder Gulf. “Also, just the fact that your life is pretty much changed due to a severe event, and power can be out for days, if not weeks, sometimes.”
From fortifying homes with state-of-the-art power tools and shutters to applying for storm relief aid or shopping for generators, organizations at the expo say they’re checking off every box before, during and after a storm.
“It just comes back down to the basic necessities,” said Brooke Ward, a sales representative for Costal Shutters and Maintenance. “It is important to have hurricane protection, but I do tell customers that sometimes it’s just not in their budget, so I say let’s sit down and do a quick run-through of the little things you need: making sure your policies are up to date, making sure you have canned goods, bottled water and protection for important documents. Little things like batteries, some people have a generator or gasoline, those things are important to have on hand.”
For some attendees, the expo offered a first real look at hurricane preparation, especially for residents who are new to the area.
“There’s a lot of folks like us who just moved here recently,” said Darin Davis, a Gulf Shores resident. “It’s a growing area, and most of us are from areas outside of the Gulf. I’ve never really had to think about what comes with a hurricane or a tropical storm, so we’re just trying to learn how to get prepared.”
Hurricane season runs through November 30.
