Are You Prepared For What Mother Nature Has in Store?

Ok, that was a little dramatic. But seriously though, it's getting to be that time of year when we have to start thinking about all that snow melting. Where is it going to go? In your basement? In many cases turning back yards into mini lakes.

Today is World Meteorological Day. This is the day when National Weather Services around the World celebrate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which was on this day in 1950.

In Duluth, we seem to feel secure, maybe a little too secure, in that we're sheltered by "The Hill" and "The Lake", and that we're spared from any severe weather. And essentially, we are, compared to the rest of the country. We don't have to deal with the amount of tornadoes that "tornado alley" does. But, looking back through our history, Duluth has seen a couple of tornadoes, so it can technically happen. In August of 2012 a tornado touched down on Minnesota point and quickly dissipated afterward.  Going back a bit further to May of 1958, another mini twister did some damage to a garage and two cabins. And in July of 1935 a tornado was reported in Gary New Duluth.

Severe weather in the Northland is not unheard of. Many of us remember all too well the flood of 2012. Mayor Don Ness declared a state of emergency and asked for assistance from Governor Dayton. The Lake Superior Zoo is still feeling the pain after that flood.

So maybe with the coming of Spring, now is a good time to re-evaluate your home owners insurance. (Or your renters insurance.) Take a look at some flood insurance just to see what it would run you. It can't hurt. Many people were completely surprised when their basements were suddenly full of water. They never thought they would need flood insurance since we "live on a hill".  You never know, your agent just might find you a discount or two!