(Puerto Rico, Thursday, August 4, 2022) – With the peak of the hurricane season underway from August through October, FEMA is urging Puerto Rico residents to understand their risk and be prepared to protect their family, home and financial future.

In 2017, Puerto Rico was devastated by Category 5 Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico was spared severe damage during the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season, but it’s important that residents prepare for the current season so they won’t be caught off guard.

Hurricane season brings heavy winds, rainfall and flooding that can lead to significant damage. Having a flood insurance policy can be key to recovering quickly following a flood event, since homeowners and renters insurance policies do not typically cover flood damage.

Orlando Olivera, FEMA Region 2 Caribbean Area Office Coordinator, Puerto Rico office, explains the steps that residents can take to protect their homes.

SOUNDBITE #1:

IT’S VITAL THAT RESIDENTS PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THIS YEAR’S HURRICANE SEASON. HEAVY WINDS, RAINFALL AND FLOODING CAN BRING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES TO YOUR PROPERTY AND JUST ONE INCH OF FLOODING IN YOUR HOME CAN CAUSE ROUGHLY TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. PROTECT THE LIFE YOU’VE BUILT WITH FLOOD INSURANCE.

SOUNDBITE #2:

WITH HURRICANE SEASON UNDERWAY, IT’S IMPORTANT FOR PUERTO RICO RESIDENTS TO TAKE ACTION SO THEY CAN PROTECT THEIR HOMES AND THEIR FAMILIES. HAVING A FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY IS CRUCIAL TO RECOVERING FASTER FOLLOWING A FLOOD EVENT. PROTECT THE LIFE YOU’VE BUILT WITH FLOOD INSURANCE.

For more information, visit floodsmart.gov/hurricane-season.