Special to the Post-Searchlight

Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia is Feb. 6-10, and Insurance Commissioner Ralph T. Hudgens wants to remind homeowners of some important tips to protect themselves and their property from weather-related hazards.

“Georgia’s tornado season is just around the corner, and we want all Georgia consumers to be familiar with steps they should take to minimize property damage and avoid possible tragedies caused by storms,” Hudgens said.

Hudgens offers these reminders and tips:

• It often takes 72 hours for disaster relief workers to reach all families in an area after a disaster occurs. Families should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least this long.

• Residents should always keep backup supplies of certain items, including bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights and batteries, first aid kits, infant formula and diapers.

• A battery or hand-cranked radio, as well as a whistle to signal for help are also good to keep on hand.

Hudgens says being properly insured against loss is also part of preparing for severe weather. He reminds Georgians:

• While a standard homeowner’s insurance policy covers damage from high winds and tornadoes, it does not cover damage from flooding. A separate policy can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program if flood insurance is available in your area.

• Make sure you understand the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost coverage for your home’s contents, and obtain the coverage that best suits your needs.

• Georgians should keep an inventory of their belongings in case of a disaster. For iPhone/Android users this task can now be handled through an App called Scr.APP.bk provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. This App will allow iPhone/Android users to take pictures of their items, scan barcodes, add purchase price and date, and even provides great tips regarding disaster preparation and insurance. By going to the Department of Insurance website (www.oci.ga.gov) and following the simple instructions under the Quick Links section on how to download the application, Georgians will have a catalog of their belongings.

For a complete list of recommended emergency items, visit ready.ga.gov. If you have questions about property insurance, you can call a representative of Commissioner Hudgens’ Consumer Services Division at (404) 656-2070 or toll-free at 1-800-656-2298. Calls are taken from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.