The aftermath of a hurricane creates a breakdown in normalcy. During this unsettling time some individuals steal from those who have already lost everything. These are looters – persons who take advantage of a very bad situation and only create more problems for victims during times of crisis. After Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012, businesses, cars, and homes were all prey to intrusions. Looters took advantage of vulnerable areas. Since...

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As of 2008, thirty-four states in the U.S. have passed anti-price-gouging laws. Price gouging during a time of disaster takes place when a price shift occurs on items essential to survival. The result leads to items being sold above market price since no alternative retailers are available. Despite New Jersey Governor Chris Christie going on television to declare that price gouging would not be tolerated, this still did not stop individuals from...

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Rebuilding your life after a disaster can be costly for many. Here is a list of items you should avoid in order to save some money, because every dollar counts in the long run, especially when preparing for a hurricane. 1. Items That Require Cooking Since utilities may be out, you will have to learn to be self-reliant. You may not be able to heat anything, so buying bacon, eggs, baked beans, etc. are out. However, juice boxes, canned nuts, mini...

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Car Insurance after a Hurricane If a tropical storm is looming near you, you may be starting to wonder what damages your auto insurance would cover if something were to happen to your vehicle. Most companies have certain restrictions about adding comprehensive coverage just before a hurricane. Because of this, it’s important to be sure that you have proper coverage before the natural disaster is imminent, or it is unlikely that your...

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Since hurricane strikes may damage water lines or cut off water sources, one of the most essential hurricane preparation steps is having an abundant water supply. Many hurricane preparedness guides urge those in the path of the storm to fill bathtubs with water. While this may be a fairly simple concept, it is important to understand the purpose of this water and its various uses. Uses of Bath Water During Hurricane After a hurricane makes...

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Along with the difficult task of dealing with a storm, there comes a cleanup period after a hurricane where families have to be ready to assess the damage it has caused. Homeowners may return home after evacuation to roof damage, broken windows or even massive home structural damage. On top of the visible damage, there may also be infrastructure damage like gas leaks and electrical problems. All of this cleanup becomes even more complicated when...

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