Storm Coming Concerns Motorists
With high winds from Hurricane Fay predicted to hit the Jacksonville area this week, the Department of Transportation reports that motorists are calling to find out if roads will be closed.
Motorists can call 511 for traffic information. Newly constructed electronic signs along portions of I-95 will keep drivers updated on any road or bridge closures.
Bridges are a concern as well as the new elevated flyovers that take cars high above the congestion below.
When are winds too high to travel on them? The DOT says there is no wind threshold that requires vehicles to stay off the elevated roadways. It’;s up to the local law enforcement.
It’;s difficult to shut down a roadway when you’;re not sure that everyone who needs to has evacuated an area. You cannot leave people with no way to get out. However it is possible to restrict high profile vehicles such as trucks, busses or RVs from the roads.
“So your standard passenger car is lowest on the priority list,” Mike Goldman of the DOT tells First Coast News.
“It would take a major, major storm for all vehicles to be restricted from our bridges. The main message from the DOT is to pay attention, but don’;t panic.”
Stay put if you are not required to evacuate, the DOT says the last thing it needs is a broken down car choking our roads.
And it’;s time for a tune-up to make sure you are running smoothly.
It’;s also a good time to review whether you have flood insurance. Check the Farah and Farah law firm web site for information.
In Florida, the Office of Insurance Regulation estimates that about half of single family homes located in high flood risk zones do not have flood insurance.
Most private insurers do not offer flood insurance and a standard homeowners’; policy will not cover a flood-related loss.
Check out your options at FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and if you have questions about your insurance coverage, contact our Florida law firm to speak with our hurricane attorneys.
Find out your flood risk by putting your address into the National Flood Risk Insurance Program , a link is also provided on our Web site.
We have more than two months to go of hurricane season. One thing we have learned from hurricanes past — Never assume it’;s not coming our way. #
