CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. – In the aftermath of two tornadoes impacting a community in the east, residents gathered for a round table on disaster preparation. However, the focus swiftly shifted to concerns about the anticipated rise in homeowners’ insurance rates.
Last week, two tornadoes caused damage to businesses and homes in Harkers Island, prompting residents to prioritize preparedness for future incidents.
Residents, still recovering from the recent tornadoes, expressed their worries and sought guidance during a meeting at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and representatives from various organizations convened to discuss proactive measures before the next storm.
Robert Buckley, a resident deeply affected by the tornado, emphasized the ongoing struggle for some residents to recover. “The tornado was a bit devastating to some people, and some people on the island are still trying to recuperate,” Buckley said.
Founder of Nowpreneur, Charlotte Hicks, stressed the importance of assessing the risk of loss from flooding, highlighting that everyone is in a flood zone.
The roundtable provided an opportunity for community members to voice concerns and seek advice on home and financial preparation. Despite discussions covering flood and wind insurance, Buckley expressed worry about an imminent substantial increase in homeowners’ insurance rates, potentially making it difficult for residents to afford coverage.
“People are not getting taxed out of their home,” Buckley explained. “They actually are going to be insured out of their house, which means they aren’t going to be able to pay their insurance rates.”
Commissioner Causey addressed the looming rate increase and assured residents that any proposal by insurance companies must be justified and approved by him. “I only have authority under state law to say one of two words: yes or no,” Causey stated. “And I can tell you I’ve always said no to every rate request that’s come before me since I’ve been commissioner.”
Causey expressed his hope that the insights shared during the roundtable would empower residents with the knowledge to mitigate damage in future storms and make informed decisions.
