On Sept. 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, headed north and the death toll quickly climbed to more than 200. Most fatalities were in mountainous regions of North Carolina and Tennessee, a region previously considered one of nation’s safest from natural disasters. Hurricane Milton followed on Oct. 9, delivering a devastating one-two punch to an area of the Sunshine State only beginning to rebuild after Helene.
No amount of preparation and supplies would have saved victims caught directly in the crosshairs of the walls of water, house-shattering winds and torrents of mud that arrived far inland and along the coast. They, like most Americans, never thought it would happen to them. It can, and there’s more to surviving than simply weathering a storm. Two-legged predators thrive in the rubble.
In Pinellas County, FL, alone, 45 people were arrested in the aftermath of the hurricanes. Charges included armed robbery, grand theft, looting, burglary, vandalism and trespassing. In one Pasco, FL, case, a husband and wife returned from evacuation orders only to face a gang of thieves in their home.
A firearm in hand or holstered on your side may be your only means of self-defense after a major flood. Entire collections were washed away in September, including those in sizeable gun safes. The contents of those discovered downstream were likely ruined.
“We have seen watertight safes come and go in the market over the last 42 years, and there isn’t a high demand to satisfy the cost,” a Fort Knox Safes spokesperson explained. “To get water- and air-tight you may sacrifice fire security. There are a lot of variables in engineering a water/fire-resistant safe. Someday we may crack the code for that success, but not today.”
The best advice, according to their response, was to assess the area in which you live. If floods are the biggest concern, locate the safe somewhere high and dry. If fire’s the primary threat, go low and cool.
“If you are in a flood-prone area, a modular safe can be a great option,” according to Seth Swerczek, Hornady Marketing Communications manager. “Modular safes like the SnapSafe Titan line and the Hornady Security Mobilis line allow you to place your safe in above-grade rooms. With fully welded security options, the size and weight make putting it upstairs difficult.”
“I would strongly recommend the use of dehumidifier wherever your store your firearms,” he added. “In an actual flood, it certainly won’t help, but for high-humidity environments it can keep your firearms rust-free in storage.”
Cole Cushman, from Gun & Trophy Insurance, which specializes in firearm and hunting trophy coverage, said claimants are often shocked when they file a claim for lost, stolen or damaged firearms. He said homeowner’s insurance covers guns, “ … to some extent. Virtually every homeowner’s policy limits coverage for the peril of theft—usually to $2,500 total, not per gun. There are other shortfalls as well such as valuation and guns no longer in production.”
Ready.gov and the American Red Cross have an online inventory of items to keep on hand if disaster strikes. Shooting Illustrated covers the subject several times each year, from food supplies, to tools, bug-out bags and more. Don’t forget a reliable backup communications system.
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