When another massive natural disaster occurs, the resulting damage could be much greater than the damage seen with Hurricanes Bob and Sandy. Bob, which was only a category 2 hurricane, drove a surge of 10 to 15 feet into Buzzards Bay and caused over $680 million in damage in Massachusetts. A fast-moving category 3 hurricane could produce a surge of 20 to 25 feet into Buzzards Bay. While Sandy caused tremendous damage in many Mid-Atlantic states, Sandy was only a Tropical Storm when it impacted Massachusetts—that is, coastal flood levels were less than 100-year levels, and wind speeds were well below coastal building code design-level wind speeds. In all reality, we have been lucky in the past. Weather patterns are changing with climate change, making strong, damaging storms more likely in Massachusetts.

When a coastal storm or flood event occurs, the damage can be devastating. In 1991, Hurricane Bob was responsible for six deaths and caused over $1.5 billion in damage, with most of that monetary loss occurring in Massachusetts.

In fact, the vast majority of damage or destruction during recent tropical systems was caused by inland flooding associated with extreme rainfall (e.g., Irene in 2011). Additionally, hurricane force winds can extend over 100 miles from the center of the storm, which can cause widespread damage in all of Massachusetts, not just the coastal counties. Therefore, all homeowners should prepare—not just those who live along the coast.

The term 100-year storm can easily be misinterpreted to mean it only happens once every 100 years. However, the term actually refers to the probability of a storm of that intensity occurring. Statistically, it means each year there is a one percent (or 1-in-100) chance of that storm occurring. So while these events have a lower statistical likelihood of happening than your average storm, they can and do happen even within a few years of each other.

While there is no guarantee that protective measures will eliminate all risk of damage, taking steps to protect your home will significantly reduce risk. It's similar to the idea of wearing a seat belt in your car: Even though someone may wear a seat belt, shoulder belt, and have an airbag, there is no guarantee that person won’t be injured in a major auto accident. Yet most people recognize the importance of these safety devices in reducing risk, and use them.

After major disasters, many homeowners find that the government is highly unlikely to repair their uninsured damaged houses or even provide adequate compensation for property damage. Government compensation evaluations are conducted after a disaster strikes and are based on the amount of damage that occurs on a county-wide basis. It is up to you to plan properly, strengthen your house, and have the appropriate financial protections in place such as insurance. After a natural disaster occurs, the government may also be overwhelmed by the number of people in need and help may not arrive quickly.

Fortunately, there are many small steps you can take to significantly reduce the risks to life and property. While it is not possible to eliminate all risk or damage, taking steps to plan and prepare can make a major difference to your family’s safety and determine whether your house survives and sustains minor or no damage. The Massachusetts Homeowners Handbook to Prepare for Coastal Hazards covers two major parts for preparation: protecting yourself and your family, and protecting your property.

There are several relatively inexpensive ways to strengthen your house. Hurricane clips or window coverings can range from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. This alone offers significant protection. For minimal costs, the roof structure for many houses can be strengthened with bracing. Strengthening your roof can be more expensive if done by itself. However, if it is done when you replace your roof at the end of its normal life, the incremental cost is reasonable. Foundation upgrades can be expensive, but considering your house is probably your major investment, it could be worth the immediate cost (and there may be federal assistance grants available to help with the cost). Savings on insurance can also offset the investment.