Tropical Storm Bertha is currently moving through the Gulf, and coastal communities from Florida to Texas are watching closely. The storm formed in the northeastern Gulf and could bring heavy rain, coastal flooding, and tropical storm force winds to areas along the Gulf Coast. Forecasters expect the storm to produce two to four inches of rain along the coast, with up to six inches possible in isolated areas, along with storm surge of up to four feet in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Alabama and Florida border.
If you're in Bertha's path, or simply watching the forecast with an eye toward the rest of hurricane season, now is the right time to get ready. Flooding is one of the most common and costly disasters a household can face, and a little preparation now can save a lot of stress later.
Here is what matters most before the water rises.
Know your flood risk, not just the storm's path
A storm doesn't have to make direct landfall near you to cause flooding. Heavy rain bands and storm surge can reach well beyond the immediate track. Check your home's flood zone designation and talk with your insurance agent about whether your risk has changed, especially if you've had recent development or drainage changes nearby.
Understand what your insurance actually covers
This is the step people skip, and it's often the one that matters most after the storm passes. Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover flood damage. That requires a separate flood policy, and most have a waiting period before coverage begins, so this isn't a decision to make once a storm is already forming.
Talk with your insurance agent now about:
- Whether you carry flood insurance and what it covers
- Your policy's waiting period and effective date
- What documentation you'll need if you ever have to file a claim
Document what you own, before you need to
If a claim ever needs to be filed, the single biggest factor in how smoothly it goes is having clear documentation of what you own. Insurance adjusters need proof, and trying to reconstruct a full household inventory from memory after a flood is one of the most stressful parts of the recovery process.
This is exactly why we built Homvi. It's a simple way to create a home inventory using your phone, room by room, so you have a clear, organized record of your belongings ready to go if you ever need it. Instead of scrambling to remember what was in the garage or the closet, you'll already have the answer.
A few minutes now, walking through your home and photographing what you own, can make a real difference in how quickly you're able to recover later.
Prepare practical steps for the days ahead
Along with your documentation and insurance review, a few simple actions go a long way:
- Move valuables and important documents to higher ground or a waterproof container
- Charge phones and backup batteries in case of power loss
- Keep a small supply of water, food, and medications on hand
- Know your evacuation route if you're in a coastal or flood prone area
None of this requires a complicated plan. It just requires doing it before the storm is already at your door.
Preparedness is about confidence, not fear
Storms like Bertha are a good reminder to check in on your readiness, not a reason to panic. Bertha is expected to continue moving westward while weakening, with forecasters anticipating it will dissipate or turn post-tropical by late in the week. Most storms pass without major incident. But being ready, with the right insurance coverage and a clear record of what you own, means you can face this season with confidence instead of worry.
If you haven't started your home inventory yet, there's no better time than before the next storm forms.