Hurricane Season 2024 on Long Island: Your Property’s First Line of Defense Against Nature’s Fury
Long Island property owners are facing an unprecedented challenge this hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season, with forecasts of between 17 to 35 named storms including 8 – 13 hurricanes. Here on Long Island, we are particularly vulnerable from August through October when Atlantic storms gain power and travel long distances to reach our shores.
Understanding Long Island’s Unique Storm Vulnerabilities
Long Beach is a barrier island, which serves as the first defense in protecting the south shore of Long Island. Because we live on a barrier island, we are exposed to hurricanes and the damage they can do. The region has already experienced significant weather events this year, with the NYS Mesonet’s Stony Brook site in western Suffolk County recording 9.4 inches of rain in 24 hours during August flooding, representing a 1-in-1000-year event that exceeded prior records set during Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Heavy winds bring down trees, wires and poles, blocking roads. Flooding is made worse by sea level rise, which blocks roads. We can prepare by being ready, having fuel in your car, food in your house, and a reliable water source.
Essential Storm Preparedness Checklist for Long Island Property Owners
Pre-Storm Property Assessment
It’s much harder for a strong, healthy tree to be knocked down in a storm. Remove any trees that look unhealthy, because your insurance company may give you a hard time when it comes to paying for the damage they caused. Even though you are covered for a tree falling down, the insurer may make a case that had you not neglected the tree — and had you removed it preemptively — it wouldn’t have fallen down and damaged the house in the first place.
Property owners should look for warning signs in their trees, including dead branches, cracks in the trunk, leaning, root damage, or fungal growth. Trees that are hunched over significantly, for example, are likely unhealthy and may fall down. Most trees have a natural lean, but take note of trees that appear to lean much more than neighboring trees. Unhealthy trees may also have exposed roots on one side. Trees with multiple split trunks can also become weaker as they age.
Emergency Supplies and Communication
Ensure you have a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries. Check your supply of flashlights, blankets, nonperishable food and bottled water. Create an emergency communications plan. Additionally, make sure to have cash available. Banks may be closed or inaccessible after a storm. Fill up your vehicle’s fuel tank.
Bring in unsecured objects and furniture from patios and balconies. Compile a list of emergency phone numbers, including PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 1-800-490-0075. Discuss storm and lightning safety with your family.
Property Protection Measures
For basement protection, start by sealing cracks in your foundation, making sure your sump pump works, and keeping gutters and downspouts clear. Walk around your basement and look closely at the foundation walls and floor. If you spot cracks or gaps, even tiny ones, seal them before the next storm rolls in.
Even if your basement doesn’t flood, excess humidity after storms can lead to hidden mold growth. A dehumidifier helps keep moisture levels stable, protecting both your air quality and your home’s structure.
The Critical Role of Professional Tree Services
When storm damage occurs, professional tree services become essential for property recovery. Green Light Tree Services, located in Suffolk County at 22 Oakley Drive in Huntington Station, has been serving Long Island property owners with comprehensive tree care solutions. We are the premier provider of tree services on Long Island. Providing residential and commercial clients with top-quality tree removal and maintenance solutions is our mission as a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals.
As a fully licensed and insured company, we are committed to customer satisfaction and safety, and we have a team of experienced professionals you can count on. At Greenlight Tree Services, we are committed to providing our clients with exceptional service and top-quality workmanship.
The company offers comprehensive services including tree removal and tree cutting, tree trimming and pruning, stump grinding, emergency tree services, and more. Their approach emphasizes safety, with prioritizing safety in everything we do, and we take extra precautions to ensure that your property is protected throughout the process.
When storms strike and trees become hazardous, professional Storm Damage Cleanup services become crucial for restoring safety to your property. We’re available 24/7 for emergency tree removal. Full-Service Solutions: We handle everything from removal to stump grinding and storm cleanup.
Insurance Considerations for Storm Damage
Understanding your insurance coverage is crucial for storm preparedness. If a storm blows down a tree and it lands on your home, your homeowners insurance will cover cost of its removal. In other situations, coverage will depend on what caused the tree to fall.
Homeowners are reminded that flood damage is generally only covered by flood insurance, which is a federal program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Homeowners who have flood insurance and have flood damage should make claims through that insurance.
For property owners filing claims, homeowners who experienced property losses are urged to file insurance claims with their insurers promptly and as soon as possible after losses occur. It is important to provide policy numbers if possible and all information relevant to the loss. To best document losses, homeowners should take photos or videos showing the extent of the losses before cleaning up damage.
Post-Storm Recovery and Long-Term Preparedness
As a result, storms like the one in August 2024 are becoming less of a rare occurrence and more of a regular challenge, making it essential for homeowners and businesses to be prepared for the unexpected. Whether securing adequate insurance coverage or investing in property improvements to withstand severe weather, being proactive is more important than ever in this changing climate.
Green Light Tree Services emphasizes the importance of ongoing tree health management. Providing shade, oxygen, and beauty to our surroundings, trees are an essential part of our environment. Our goal at Green Light Tree Services is to ensure that trees remain healthy and long-lasting. We provide comprehensive tree care services to ensure that your trees remain healthy and beautiful all year round.
With over 17 years of experience, state-of-the-art equipment, and a highly trained team, professional tree services provide the expertise needed to both prepare for and recover from storm events. Hurricane season starts June 1 and I hope that people start thinking about these type storms and assessing their own factors and properties at that point. The time to do it is definitely not going to be when we have a storm closing in on the area.
As Long Island faces an active hurricane season, property owners must take proactive steps to protect their investments and ensure family safety. From proper tree maintenance and emergency supply preparation to understanding insurance coverage and establishing relationships with reliable service providers, comprehensive storm preparedness is your best defense against nature’s unpredictable power.