As a fifth-generation Corpus Christian whose family survived the Great Hurricane of 1919, I’ve learned that preparation isn’t optional—it’s essential. Hurricanes don’t care how long you’ve lived here, how much your home is worth, or whether experts predict a quiet season. It only takes one storm to change your life forever.

Whether you’re a longtime Coastal Bend resident or a new homeowner enjoying life in South Texas, the time to prepare is NOW. Don’t wait until a hurricane is approaching the Texas coast and store shelves are empty. Gather your family, create a plan, and take action while you still have time.

Here are seven critical steps every coastal family should take today to protect their safety, property, and financial future before the next storm threatens our community.

1. Develop a Family Emergency Plan

• • What size Storm will cause you to evacuate? Category 1-5?

• • Where will you go if we evacuate? What Route will you take?

• • Who are you taking? (Don’t forget your pets!)

• • Who are you contacting to share your plan?

• • What if your cell phones don’t work?

2. Build a Hurricane Emergency Kit

Recommended Items

• • 3-7 day supply of water

• • Non-perishable food (Canned Meats, Peanut Butter, Protein Bars, Crackers, Dried Fruit, Baby Food, Pet Food)

• • Prescription medications

• • First aid kit

• • Flashlights

• • Batteries

• • Portable chargers

• • Cash (ATM and Credit Cards may not work)

3. Protect Important Documents

• • Insurance policies

• • Driver licenses

• • Passports

• • Birth certificates

• • Social Security cards

• • Property deeds

4. Prepare Your Home Before The Storm

• • Trim trees

• • Clean gutters

• • Secure loose items

• • If you don’t have hurricane shutters, board up your windows and doors

• • Check generators

• • Fuel your vehicles

5. Understand Flood Risk 

Many Hurricane Harvey claims occurred outside traditional high-risk flood zones. It doesn’t have to be a hurricane to flood your home.

6. Review Home’s Insurance Coverage NOW

Homeowners Insurance

• • Replacement cost: Do you have enough coverage to rebuild your home?

• • Inflation: It costs more to build a home than it did 10 years ago. In fact, it costs more than a home built and finished yesterday. Especially with the added demand on labor and materials after the storm when thousands of homes are being rebuilt at the same time.

• • Reconstruction costs is not the same as market value.

Windstorm Coverage

• • Deductibles: Most of us carry high deductibles to save money. Is it worth paying extra premium during hurricane season to reduce your exposure with a lower deductible?  This may or may not be an option mid term.

• • Understand Your Exclusions

Flood Insurance

• • A Separate policy with the National Flood Insurance Program or a Private carrier is needed because Home and Windstorm Insurance Excludes Flooding.

• • Waiting periods (some up to a 30 day wait)

The worst time to discover a coverage gap is after the storm.

7. Create a Home Inventory

We Suggest you Walk through your home with a smartphone and Video:

• • Furniture

• • Appliances

• • Electronics

• • Jewelry

• • Collectibles

“A 10-minute video today could save weeks of frustration and thousands of dollars after a loss.”

Bonus Things to Remember

Generator Safety

Many deaths occur from:

• • Carbon monoxide poisoning

Never operate generators:

• • Inside garages

• • Near windows

Pet Planning

• • Food

• • Carriers

• • Vaccination records

Choose an evacuation place that allows your pets!

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Elderly Family Members

• • Do they need medications?

• • Oxygen?

• • Transportation?

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Fuel

Don’t wait.

If a storm is coming, assume that gas stations will have long lines or may be closed.

Whether NOAA predicts an active season or not, it only takes one storm to change your life. “Remember that Hurricanes don’t read forecasts.”

The best time to prepare is now—not after a storm forms in the Gulf “Hope is not a hurricane plan. Preparation is.”

Take Action Today

Today marks the official beginning of Hurricane Season. The experts at NOAA are predicting a below-average hurricane season this year. That’s good news.

But before you breathe a sigh of relief, remember one critical fact:

Hurricanes Don’t Read Forecasts.

And it only takes ONE storm to change your life forever. One storm can flood your home. One storm can destroy everything you’ve worked years to build. One storm can leave your family without power, shelter, transportation, or the financial resources needed to recover.

The question isn’t whether NOAA predicts a busy season or a quiet one.

The question is:

If a hurricane made landfall in South Texas tomorrow, would your family be prepared?

History Has Taught Us a Powerful Lesson

The accompanying photo shows the devastation left behind by Hurricane Celia in 1970.

Many longtime Coastal Bend residents still remember the destruction. Homes were destroyed. Businesses were shattered. Families spent months—and in some cases years—recovering.

More recently, Hurricanes Harvey and Hanna reminded Texans that floodwaters, storm surge, wind damage, and prolonged power outages can happen with little regard for seasonal forecasts.

Mother Nature doesn’t care what the experts predicted.

The Cost of Waiting Can Be Enormous

Every year, we speak with homeowners who planned to “look into flood insurance later.” Some intended to review their coverage “when they had time.” Others assumed they were protected—only to discover after a loss that their policy did not cover flood damage.

By then, it was too late.

Many Flood Insurance policies have waiting periods before coverage becomes effective. Once a storm enters the Gulf of Mexico, insurance companies often suspend new coverage applications or policy changes.

When a hurricane is approaching, your opportunity to prepare may already be gone.

Ask Yourself These Important Questions

• Could I afford to rebuild my home at today’s construction costs?
• Do I know what my hurricane deductible is?
• Do I have flood insurance protection?
• Have I updated my policy to reflect rising property values and improvements?
• Do I have enough coverage to replace my belongings after a major loss?
• Does my family have an evacuation plan?

If you’re unsure about any of these answers, now is the time to act.

Prepare Today—Not When a Storm Is in the Gulf

Every family should have:

✅ A written evacuation plan

✅ Important documents stored safely

✅ Emergency food and water supplies

✅ Prescription medications and first-aid supplies

✅ Flashlights, batteries, and emergency communications

✅ A current insurance review

Most importantly, every homeowner should understand exactly what is—and is not—covered before disaster strikes.

Hope Is Not a Strategy!

We all hope this hurricane season is quiet.

We hope storms stay far offshore.

We hope our homes and families never experience a major loss.

But hope alone will not rebuild your home.

Hope will not replace your belongings.

Hope will not pay for flood damage.

Preparation will.

Take Action Today

As a Hurricane and Flood Insurance Specialist serving Texas families since 1985, I strongly encourage you to take a few minutes today to review your protection and preparedness plan.

Don’t let a “below-average” forecast create a false sense of security.

The most dangerous hurricane season is the one where people assume they don’t need to prepare.

📞 Call Ed Cantu Insurance Agency today at (361) 991-3575 for a complimentary Home, Windstorm, and Flood Insurance Review.

We’ll help you identify potential coverage gaps, review rebuilding values, and make sure you’re prepared before the next storm forms in the Gulf.

Because when the next hurricane comes, the time to prepare will have already passed.

Because We Care,

Ed Cantu
Ed Cantu Insurance Agency
Hurricane & Flood Insurance Specialists

Helping Texans Protect What Matters Most Since 1985

Hurricane Season Is Here — Does Your Home Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

Hurricane Season will officially arrive Monday, and one of the biggest financial risks facing homeowners is NOT wind damage…

It’s FLOODING.

In fact, this week’s heavy rains here in South Texas prove that it does not take a hurricane or tropical storm to create dangerous flooding, overwhelmed drainage systems, or flooded streets throughout our community.

Unfortunately, many homeowners mistakenly believe their Homeowners Insurance or Windstorm Policy covers flood damage caused by:

• • Rising water
  • Heavy rainfall
  • Storm surge
  • Overflowing drainage systems

The truth is:

Most Homeowners and Windstorm policies DO NOT cover flood damage.

That means just a few inches of water entering your home could result in tens of thousands of dollars in uncovered losses, including damage to:

• • Floors and walls
  • Cabinets and appliances
  • Furniture and personal belongings
  • Electrical systems
  • Heating and air conditioning equipment

And here’s the part many people do not realize:

Many flood losses occur outside designated “high-risk” flood zones and from storms that never become major hurricanes.

We saw this during Hurricane Harvey and during many heavy rainfall events across South Texas where neighborhoods flooded simply because drainage systems could not handle the amount of water in a short period of time.

Why Flood Insurance Matters

Flood Insurance helps protect your:

• • Home structure
  • Personal belongings
  • Financial security
  • Peace of mind

And in many cases, flood coverage may be much more affordable than homeowners expect.

Don’t Wait Until a Storm Is in the Gulf

Most Flood Insurance policies have waiting periods before coverage becomes effective. Once a tropical system is approaching the Texas coast, it may already be too late to protect your property.

As a trusted insurance advisor serving Texas families since 1985, I strongly encourage homeowners to review their flood protection NOW — before the next storm forms in the Gulf.

We’re Here to Help

Call us today at (361) 991-3575 today for your complimentary Flood Insurance review or quote, contact Ed Cantu Insurance Agency today.

📞 Call: (361) 991-3575
📧 Email: ed@edcantu.com
🌐 Visit: www.edcantuinsurance.com

Because we care,

Ed Cantu
Ed Cantu Insurance Agency
Helping You Protect What Matters Most