Verify your protection – Houston storm victims ought to contact provider, dealer says

Extreme thunderstorms battered the Houston space and elements of Louisiana on Friday, killing 4 individuals and leaving practically one million properties and companies with out energy.

The storm that hit the realm on Thursday introduced hurricane-force winds, toppling bushes and energy towers and blowing out home windows on downtown buildings, the Related Press reported.

The storm introduced town to a digital standstill, with greater than 400,000 college students out of faculty and metropolis employees scrambling to take away fallen bushes and restore energy. Metropolis officers requested Houstonians to not come to work Friday until they’re thought-about important employees. Residents have been requested to keep away from roads, a lot of that are flooded, the Related Press reported.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire stated at a information convention Thursday night time that wind speeds reached 160 mph in the course of the storm and a number of other tornadoes had been seen. He stated the sturdy winds had been paying homage to Hurricane Ike, which hit the realm in 2008.

Charlene Okenkup, customer support supervisor and licensed insurance coverage agent at TGS Insurance coverage Company in Houston, informed Insurance coverage Enterprise that because the company opened at 8 a.m. Friday, clients looking for assist with insurance coverage points have been growing. He stated that he was unusually busy due to his arrival.

Okenkpu suggested clients to verify their protection earlier than doing something.

“You must first contact your dealer or provider on to inquire about your declare earlier than submitting to see in case your damages exceed your deductible,” she stated.

Mr Okenkup stated the TGS workplace weathered the storm effectively.

“We’re effective. We had been caught inside a constructing yesterday till the twister handed,” she stated. “Many people are nonetheless with out energy. Some could not get inside in the present day due to bushes within the street.”

4 individuals had been killed within the storm, Whitmer stated at a information convention Thursday. No less than two individuals had been killed by falling bushes and one other when sturdy winds induced a crane to topple over, in response to the Related Press.

The storm was not over as of Friday. The Related Press reported that scattered extreme thunderstorms accompanied by tornadoes, sturdy winds and hail might proceed to happen within the Gulf states. As of Friday, flood watches and warnings remained in impact for Houston and areas to the east.

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