press releases
"Take precautions against flooding," says Sagicor
December 10, 2020
Extensive flooding is one of the greatest threats presented by the annual hurricane season, which is why Sagicor General Insurance urges Trinidad and Tobago citizens to take the necessary precautions to protect their homes and possessions.
This advice comes from Dexter Mc Knight, Vice President, Insurance Operations, following the active 2020 hurricane season and several weeks of persistent rain and flooding across Trinidad, which has resulted in damage to several properties and vehicles.
“In the lead up to and during the hurricane season, we tend to focus on storms and the impact of high winds, however, what we have seen in Trinidad, and even Tobago, over recent years is a significant amount of flooding resulting from heavy rains over an extended period of time, presenting a serious challenge to property owners. Unfortunately, we cannot dictate the amount of rain that comes our way, but we can put measures in place to lessen the impact.”
The experienced insurance executive stated that in addition to taking out adequate insurance for their property and contents, property owners, especially those in flood-prone areas, should, among other things, inspect the exterior of their building to identify vulnerable areas where water can find its way in.
Mc Knight said, “Any cracks or gaps should be sealed using proper materials to stop water from compromising the foundation of the property. Lawns also tend to flood quite quickly and should therefore be graded away from the property to keep water from settling and creating pools near the foundation or finding its way through exterior doorways.
“It is also very important that we perform periodic checks to ensure that gutters and drains are cleared, allowing water to flow freely and avoid accumulation.”
In terms of preventing damage to items on the interior, the Sagicor executive advised property owners to relocate their expensive or sentimental items to higher ground, whether to another floor, if available, or simply raise them off the ground. He also stated that in the event water does enter the property, electrical panels should be shut off to prevent electrical damage or potential shock.
This advice comes from Dexter Mc Knight, Vice President, Insurance Operations, following the active 2020 hurricane season and several weeks of persistent rain and flooding across Trinidad, which has resulted in damage to several properties and vehicles.
“In the lead up to and during the hurricane season, we tend to focus on storms and the impact of high winds, however, what we have seen in Trinidad, and even Tobago, over recent years is a significant amount of flooding resulting from heavy rains over an extended period of time, presenting a serious challenge to property owners. Unfortunately, we cannot dictate the amount of rain that comes our way, but we can put measures in place to lessen the impact.”
The experienced insurance executive stated that in addition to taking out adequate insurance for their property and contents, property owners, especially those in flood-prone areas, should, among other things, inspect the exterior of their building to identify vulnerable areas where water can find its way in.
Mc Knight said, “Any cracks or gaps should be sealed using proper materials to stop water from compromising the foundation of the property. Lawns also tend to flood quite quickly and should therefore be graded away from the property to keep water from settling and creating pools near the foundation or finding its way through exterior doorways.
“It is also very important that we perform periodic checks to ensure that gutters and drains are cleared, allowing water to flow freely and avoid accumulation.”
In terms of preventing damage to items on the interior, the Sagicor executive advised property owners to relocate their expensive or sentimental items to higher ground, whether to another floor, if available, or simply raise them off the ground. He also stated that in the event water does enter the property, electrical panels should be shut off to prevent electrical damage or potential shock.
