Protect your home from flooding!

Flooding has the potential to cause severe damage to your home; according to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the average flood insurance claim is nearly $42,000. Additionally, it can be difficult and dangerous to clean up flood damage. Use these precautionary measures to help prevent water from getting into places it isn’t wanted: ·…

Hurricane Storm Terminology – Know the Terms!

Keep these terms in mind so you know when to start preparations for incoming weather. Tropical Cyclone: A warm-core, non-frontal, synoptic-scale cyclone, originating over tropical or subtropical waters, with organized deep convection and a closed surface wind circulation about a well-defined center. Once formed, a tropical cyclone is maintained by the extraction of heat energy…

New Changes to Overtime Wage Payment

On May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a new rule that will overhaul overtime wage payment. The new rule doubles the salary threshold that employees must meet to qualify for the overtime wage payment exemption—a change that could affect more than 4 million workers across the United States. What is changing?…

Have you made your emergency kit?

Truth is – I steal the money out of my disaster kit all the time. It is my way of securing a few dollars and then when I really need a treat… I got it. I replenish it once a year on June 1st to make sure that in the case of a hurricane, I…

An Evacuation Plan!

I have lived and worked in Worcester County, Maryland all of my life. In my lifetime, I have evacuated on three occasions. I have been forced to “shelter in place” or stay home more times than I can count. I have learned to find friends who have generators, boats, and construction equipment that can get…

Where to Get Hurricane Information

As any storm approaches, look toward your local weather and municipalities to take the lead and heed their advice! However – if you just want to storm track, check out these great links. National Hurricane Center Central Pacific Hurricane Center National Weather Service U.S. State and Territory Emergency Management Agencies Maps of evacuation zones courtesy…

Week 3 – National Building Safety Month – America’s Preparathon!

The ICC together with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are getting America's families ready! Week 3 of National Building Safety Month is all about getting your own plan in order. Family Emergency Plan Evacuation Plan Shelter in Place Communication is key in any emergency. Listen to the warnings. And remember – sometimes texts can go…

New Changes to the NFIP

Changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), through which homeowners obtain flood insurance, went into effect on April 1, 2016. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) believes that these changes will help homeowners by aligning insurance premiums with their area’s flood risk and by making more funds available for reimbursement in the event of…