Contrary to common belief, the center of the strongest earthquake to ever strike the continental U.S. was not in California, but in Missouri. It was so effective that it altered the course of the Mississippi River.

Twenty states, including Hawaii and every state that borders the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, deal with the danger of hurricanes every year.

As the population of the U.S. has actually swelled, so has the danger of Americans facing a disaster, whether it’s a tornado, flood, earthquake or cyclone.

House values have likewise increased in locations vulnerable to natural catastrophes, and a lot of those property owners have their net worth tied up in their houses. This puts their most significant financial possession at danger.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita exposed America is not as gotten ready for natural disasters as it must be. While we can’t stop them from taking place, we can do a much better job securing and preparing America from their effects.

National coalitions such as ProtectingAmerica.org, consisted of emergency situation management officials, first-responders, disaster relief insurance providers, others and experts, are advocating ideas that would assist prepare Americans to handle the consequences of natural disasters before they occur.

One option is the creation of privately funded, government- sponsored catastrophe funds. These funds would accumulate cash in advance of disasters, and would be funded by a portion of the insurance premiums gathered by private insurance providers.

Besides disaster funds, other services might consist of reinforcing first-responders, improving building codes, and sensible land use policies.

  • Organize documents in water resistant containers.
  • Prepare a stock of your personal property and videotape your home contents.

One option is the development of privately funded, government- sponsored catastrophe funds. These funds would build up cash in advance of catastrophes, and would be funded by a part of the insurance premiums gathered by personal insurance providers. At the federal level, there might be a disaster fund that covers losses that can’t be covered by one state. • Prepare a stock of your individual property and videotape your family contents.