There are a lot great reasons for living in the Pacific Northwest. However, most people would agree that November weather is not one of them. Even though the temperatures are usually quite mild, we get lots of rain with some very high winds that can cause some big time expenses to everything we own and love. So the trick is to be prepared.
Most people who own homes and buildings don’t need much of a reminder to prepare their properties by cleaning gutters, raking up leaves, and keeping drains free from debris. Likewise, most drivers (but not all) in the Pacific Northwest learn to adjust their driving habits to match the wet slippery roads. However, the hazards that continually slam us with expensive destruction are falling trees and falling large branches.
To avoid the problem, do an inspection of the trees that are on you property and watch for 5 signs of trouble: 1. Trees with a significant lean, 2. Trees with multiple trunks, 3. Weakly attached branches, 4. Cavities and decay pockets in the trunk, 5. Cracks in the trunk and the larger branches.
Be aware that most insurance policies have limited coverage for the damages and the expenses involved with a fallen tree. Our advice: check out your trees and review your insurance policy with your broker. Get a good handle on your risks before a storm, instead of after a storm.
