Are you ready for hurricane season? It begins next week

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

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Many homeowners are taking advantage of a service that helps them learn how to protect their houses from windstorm damage.

BAY AREA (Bay News 9) -- Hurricane season begins in less than a week.

Sunday, June 1st, is the official start of the 2008 hurricane season.

This year, thousands of Florida homeowners say they're prepared. Many are taking advantage of a service that helps homeowners learn how to protect their houses from windstorm damage.

Jim Lieb is like thousands of Florida homeowners. He's participating in the My Safe Florida Home program to help mitigate wind damage in the event a hurricane hits close to home.

"Figured any time you can get a home inspection it's a good idea," Lieb said. "Especially when it can help you save on homeowners insurance."

The program offers eligible homeowners free wind inspections from qualified mitigation inspectors.

More Information

To qualify you must own a single-family home and you must apply and get approval before receiving a free inspection.

Properties not eligible are: mobile homes and manufactured homes, apartments, condominiums, multi-family dwellings and businesses.

When the program first launched two years ago it was received with little success until now.

The state is reporting it has exceeded its goals for the number of people who will receive grants for the program at 35,000 homeowners.

The state says it has paid out just under 7,000 grants so far, totaling more than $22.4 million.

Ryan McCracken, who works for an inspection company in Tampa called Skyetec, says thousands of houses will now hold stronger during a hurricane.

"The better features they will have, like what kind of roof-wall connections they have, window, door or opening protection they have," McCracken said.

The cutoff for homeowners to enroll in the My Safe Home Program is May 31st.