Allstate Warns Against 'Hurricane Amnesia'

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Allstate Warns Against 'Hurricane Amnesia'
                 Start of Hurricane Season Means Preparedness

    NORTHBROOK, Ill., May 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Atlantic hurricane
season runs from June 1 through November 30 and hurricane experts are warning
the public against "hurricane amnesia". According to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, it has been two years since a hurricane has hit
the U.S. coast. "Despite the incredible devastation these storms can cause, it
is easy for people to forget the awesome power of a hurricane," said Les
Mertins, manager of Allstate Insurance Company's National Catastrophe Team.
"The reality is that we've been extremely lucky the past two years and
Allstate wants to make sure your home and family are prepared."
    NOAA hurricane watchers are predicting up to thirteen possible tropical
storms in the Atlantic this season, and they say eight of these storms could
become hurricanes. Allstate suggests that the beginning of hurricane season is
a good time to make sure you are financially and physically prepared for a
storm. "Waiting until a hurricane watch or warning is issued may be too late
for some easy steps that could help make evacuation and recovery much easier
on you and your family," Mertins said.

    13 Things You Can Do Now ....
    -- Prepare a disaster supplies kit including:
       -- A three-day supply of water and ready-to-eat non-perishable foods.
       -- Manual can opener.
       -- Paper plates, cups and disposable utensils.
       -- Personal hygiene items such as toilet paper, towelettes, feminine
          supplies, soap, and detergent.
       -- Change of clothing, including extra shoes or work boots and rain
          gear.
       -- Blankets and/or sleeping bags (one for each family member).
       -- Special needs items for each family member such as baby supplies,
          eyeglasses/contact lenses, medications.
       -- Cash, traveler's checks or credit card.

    -- Organize important paperwork in waterproof, easily transportable
       containers. Include financial information, important phone numbers,
       wills, insurance policies, immunization records and passports. Plan to
       take these with you if evacuated.
    -- Prepare an inventory of your personal property and videotape your
       household contents for record purposes.
    -- Teach family members when and how to safely shut off utilities.
    -- Trim dead or weak branches from trees.
    -- Review your insurance policies to ensure you have adequate coverage.
    -- Consider purchasing flood insurance, even if you don't live in a flood
       hazard zone. Regular homeowner's policies usually do not cover flood
       damage. So, plan ahead because flood policies have a 30-day waiting
       period prior to being effective.
    -- Get familiar with your community's disaster preparedness plan and
       develop a family disaster response plan.
    -- Contact your local American Red Cross Chapter or Emergency Management
       Agency for a community evacuation route map and a list of nearby
       shelters.
    -- Assure that emergency lights and flashlights are in proper working
       order.
    -- Keep portable and battery-operated weather radios with extra batteries
       readily available.
    -- Keep several flashlights and extra batteries easily accessible.
    -- Assemble a first-aid kit -- include medications such as aspirin, non-
       aspirin pain reliever, antacid and anti-diarrhea medication. Also
       include bandages, gauze, scissors, safety pins and sunscreen.

    Allstate (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines
insurer.  Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate(R)"
slogan, Allstate provides insurance products to more than 14 million
households and has approximately 13,000 exclusive agents in the U.S. and
Canada.  Customers can access Allstate products and services through Allstate
agents, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800-Allstate(SM).
Encompass(SM) and Deerbrook(SM) Insurance brand property and casualty products
are sold exclusively through independent agents.  Allstate Financial Group
includes the Allstate Bank and businesses that provide life insurance,
retirement and investment products, through Allstate agents, workplace
marketing, independent agents, banks and securities firms.
SOURCE Allstate
http://www.allstate.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/109395.html
CONTACT:
Bill Mellander of Allstate National Media
Relations, +1-847-402-5600