Forecasters predicted El Nino storms could drench the
Western US in general, and California in particular, calling for a “Miracle
March” that could ease the current drought conditions there. And halfway
through March, it looks like they might be – predictably – partially correct.
"This is going to put a dent into some of the drought,
but it's not going to take it away by any stretch," San Diego-based
meteorologist Mark Moede told NBC News earlier this month. But according to
Erik Ortiz of www.nbcnews.com, “the return of the storms this month in parts of
California has drawn parallels to 1991, when a "miracle March" that
brought record rains staved off a water shortage. It was also credited
with saving the ski season.”
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| Image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org |
In the first week of March, heavy rainstorms struck
California and flooded some low-lying areas, but much more rain would be needed
throughout the state to counter years of dry weather. In the second week of
March, another round of rains helped replenish water reservoirs, and
above-average snowfall has extended California’s expected ski season beyond any
of the last several years, but it is still too soon to tell if this will be
enough.
And while rain and snow is certainly good for California as
a whole with regards to drought relief and snow-related industries, each storm
brings disaster to many individuals. During any significant rainstorm event,
low-lying areas tend to flood rather quickly. It may be that only 100 homes and
businesses are affected, and this may not even make local news, let alone the
national news (especially in the midst of a wild presidential election cycle),
but for those 100 families, their entire world has turned to mud.
Keep in mind, also, that during most severe rainstorms,
there are high winds, hail, and even tornados that come with the many inches of
rainfall. Throw in a few mudslides on California hillsides, and you have the
makings of a disastrous “Miracle March” for many unsuspecting property owners. The storms so far have not been devastating, but streets
have been washed out by floods, highways closed by mudslides – one such slide
toppled a dump truck in the process – and homes have also been flooded or
damaged by mudslides. The uncomfortable paradox is that much more rain is needed
to make an appreciable impact on the drought conditions, but such rains would
also bring misery to ever-increasing numbers of people.
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| Image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org |
Having dealt with so many individuals and families suffering
through property insurance claims from rainstorms and flooding, I know how
difficult it is to recover. Homes are damaged or destroyed, personal belongings
are ruined, people are separated and displaced from their homes, and dealing
with all the insurance hoops, exclusions, loopholes, and delays can bring a
whole new meaning to the phrase “March Madness”.
As always, it’s important to know they can recover, and they
will recover. The question is, at what cost? How much aggravation will they
have to endure? How much money will they recover – or how much debt will they
have to take on? Typically, the answers to those questions depend on what they
know, and how well prepared are they are to take on this challenge. I always
say, the better prepared you are before disaster strikes, the better you will
emerge from the disaster. This goes from having a disaster plan (before it
happens), to having a recovery plan (after it happens).
Fill out the form below to get your Free Master Disaster Guide.
One thing is for sure, the insurance companies all have
plans. And systems. And strategies. And resources. For you to compete, you need
to have these plans in place as well, even if it just means knowing who has the
plans, systems, strategies and resources to help you.
Mark Goldwich is president of Gold Star Adjusters, a group of public insurance adjusters dedicated to helping citizens get the maximum settlement for any insurance claim.
