Hurricane Dolly Batters Texas Coast - State Farm® Urges Texans to Protect Themselves and Their Property After the Storm

Austin, Texas.- As Hurricane Dolly continues to bear down on the Texas coast, no one knows what kind of damage it will leave in its path. But State Farm agents and claims professionals from Texas and the company’s catastrophe team are prepared to respond to their customers’ needs following the hurricane. If you are impacted by Hurricane Dolly and need to report a claim: contact your State Farm agent; call 1-800 SF CLAIM (1-800-732-5246); or report a claim online.

State Farm’s greatest concern is for the safety of everyone who will be affected by Hurricane Dolly. If you experience damage from Dolly, consider the following tips:

* Personal health and safety is most important. If you had to evacuate, do not return until authorities say it is safe to do so.
* Beware of outdoor hazards. Watch out for loose or dangling power lines, and report them immediately to proper authority.
* Walk or drive cautiously. Debris-filled streets are dangerous. Snakes and poisonous insects will be a hazard. Washouts may weaken road and bridge structures, and they could collapse under vehicle weight.
* Guard against spoiled food. Food may spoil if refrigerator power is off to more than a few hours.
* Freezers will keep food several days if doors are not opened after power failure, but do not refreeze food once it begins to thaw.
* Do not use water until safe. Use your emergency supply or boil water before drinking until you receive official word that the water is safe.
* Take extra precautions to prevent fire. Lowered water pressure in city mains and the interruption of other services may make firefighting extremely difficult after a hurricane.
* When it is safe to do so, make temporary repairs to protect property from further damage. Keep all receipts. However, do not make extensive or permanent repairs until you’ve spoken with your insurance adjuster. If possible, move property to prevent further damage.
* Make a room by room list of damaged items.
* Be patient. Insurance companies generally try to see the most severe damage first.