{"id":533,"date":"2026-06-03T22:45:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T22:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/?p=533"},"modified":"2026-06-03T22:45:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T22:45:48","slug":"the-7-things-every-texas-coastal-family-should-do-before-a-hurricane-threatens-you-and-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/the-7-things-every-texas-coastal-family-should-do-before-a-hurricane-threatens-you-and-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7 Things Every Texas Coastal Family Should Do Before a Hurricane Threatens You and Your Home!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-98\" src=\"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Celia-downtown-300x222.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Celia-downtown-300x222.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Celia-downtown-768x568.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Celia-downtown-1024x757.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Celia-downtown-1200x887.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Celia-downtown.jpeg 1741w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">As a fifth-generation Corpus Christian whose family survived the Great Hurricane of 1919, I&#8217;ve learned that preparation isn&#8217;t optional\u2014it&#8217;s essential. Hurricanes don&#8217;t care how long you&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Whether you&#8217;re a longtime Coastal Bend resident or a new homeowner enjoying life in South Texas, the time to prepare is NOW. Don&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">1. Develop a Family Emergency Plan<\/span><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>What size Storm will cause you to evacuate? Category 1-5?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Where will you go if we evacuate? What Route will you take?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Who are you taking? (Don\u2019t forget your pets!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Who are you contacting to share your plan?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>What if your cell phones don&#8217;t work?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1 class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">2. Build a Hurricane Emergency Kit<\/span><\/h1>\n<h3 class=\"western\">Recommended Items<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>3-7 day supply of water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Non-perishable food <span style=\"font-size: small;\">(Canned Meats, Peanut Butter, Protein Bars, Crackers, <\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Dried Fruit, Baby Food, Pet Food)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Prescription medications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>First aid kit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Flashlights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Batteries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Portable chargers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Cash (ATM and Credit Cards may not work)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1 class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">3. Protect Important Documents<\/span><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Insurance policies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Driver licenses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Passports<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Birth certificates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Social Security cards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Property deeds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1 class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">4. Prepare Your Home Before The Storm<\/span><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Trim trees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Clean gutters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Secure loose items<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>If you don\u2019t have hurricane shutters, board up your windows and doors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Check generators<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Fuel your vehicles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1 class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">5. Understand Flood Risk\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>Many Hurricane Harvey claims occurred outside traditional high-risk flood zones. <span style=\"color: #000000;\">It doesn&#8217;t have to be a hurricane to flood your home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">6. Review Home\u2019s Insurance Coverage NOW<\/span><\/h1>\n<h4 class=\"western\">Homeowners Insurance<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Replacement cost: Do you have enough coverage to rebuild your home?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Inflation: It costs more to build a home than it did 10 years ago. <span style=\"font-size: small;\">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.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Reconstruction costs is not the same as market value.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 class=\"western\">Windstorm Coverage<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>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?\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #0066b3;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">This may or may not be an option mid term.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Understand Your Exclusions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 class=\"western\">Flood Insurance<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>A Separate policy with the National Flood Insurance Program or a Private carrier is needed because Home and Windstorm Insurance Excludes Flooding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Waiting periods (some up to a 30 day wait)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #0066b3;\">The worst time to discover a coverage gap is after the storm.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h1 class=\"western\">7. Create a Home Inventory<\/h1>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><strong>We Suggest you\u00a0Walk through your home with a smartphone and Video:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Furniture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Appliances<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Electronics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Jewelry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Collectibles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">&#8220;A 10-minute video today could save weeks of frustration and thousands of dollars after a loss.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h1 class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\">Bonus Things to Remember<\/span><\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"western\">Generator Safety<\/h2>\n<p>Many deaths occur from:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Carbon monoxide poisoning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Never operate generators:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Inside garages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Near windows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"western\">Pet Planning<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Food<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Carriers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Vaccination records<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Choose an evacuation place that allows your pets!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"western\">Elderly Family Members<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Do they need medications?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Oxygen?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Transportation?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 class=\"western\">Fuel<\/h2>\n<p>Don&#8217;t wait.<\/p>\n<p>If a storm is coming, assume that gas stations will have long lines or may be closed.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #0066b3;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Whether NOAA predicts an active season or <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>not<\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>, it only takes one storm to change your life.<\/b><\/span> &#8220;Remember that Hurricanes don&#8217;t read forecasts.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #0066b3;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>The best time to prepare is <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>now<\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>\u2014not after a storm forms in the Gulf<\/b><\/span> &#8220;Hope is not a hurricane plan. Preparation is.&#8221;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><span style=\"font-size: 28px;\">Take Action Today<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Don\u2019t let a \u201cbelow-average\u201d forecast create a false sense of security.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">The most dangerous hurricane season is the one where people assume they don\u2019t need to prepare.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">\ud83d\udcde\u00a0Call Ed Cantu Insurance Agency today at\u00a0<strong>(361) 991-3575<\/strong>\u00a0for a complimentary Home, Windstorm, and Flood Insurance Review.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">We\u2019ll help you identify potential coverage gaps, review rebuilding values, and make sure you\u2019re prepared before the next storm forms in the Gulf.<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\">Because We Care,<\/p>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Ed Cantu<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\nEd Cantu Insurance Agency<br \/>\nHurricane &amp; Flood Insurance Specialists<\/p>\n<p><strong>Helping Texans Protect What Matters Most Since 1985<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a fifth-generation Corpus Christian whose family survived the Great Hurricane of 1919, I&#8217;ve learned that preparation isn&#8217;t optional\u2014it&#8217;s essential. Hurricanes don&#8217;t care how long you&#8217;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&#8217;re a longtime &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/the-7-things-every-texas-coastal-family-should-do-before-a-hurricane-threatens-you-and-your-home\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;The 7 Things Every Texas Coastal Family Should Do Before a Hurricane Threatens You and Your Home!&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=533"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":534,"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533\/revisions\/534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edcantuinsurance.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}