MATTAPONI—After nearly three decades of handling insurance claims throughout Virginia’s Upper Tidewater area, Mike Pumo has witnessed firsthand just how destructive Mother Nature can be. The Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. representative, who operates out of King & Queen County, has assisted countless clients dealing with hurricane-related wind and flood damage over the years.
“But spring storms can be very violent too,” Pumo said.
Pumo vividly remembers the destruction caused in May 2018 when two powerful derecho systems tore through the mid-Atlantic region. These intense storm systems created a devastating path of destruction stretching approximately 470 miles from Ohio down to Virginia.
“Those strong, straight-line winds lifted and completely flipped over one of my client’s machine sheds in New Kent County,” he recalled.
The destroyed building had served as storage for farming equipment used in the client’s row crop business. Despite being newly built with quality wooden pole construction, the structure couldn’t withstand the storm’s fury.
“Unfortunately, the wind blew straight into the open end, ripped it out of the ground, and flipped it completely over backwards,” Pumo said, describing his visit to evaluate the destruction that same day. “I remember thinking, holy cow, I can’t believe it did that! The force of nature is crazy. And it’s not like that shed was poorly built. The wind ripped the poles right off.”
Following the insurance claim process, the farmer rebuilt using steel posts and trusses for better durability.
Although such devastating weather events remain unpredictable, property owners can implement several protective measures as spring approaches.
“Spring storms can happen anywhere in the state,” said VFBMIC director of property claims David Jewell. “That’s when we see a lot of wind and hail. We see more flooding with storms later in the year.”
Property owners can visit ready.gov/alerts to sign up for severe weather alerts.
Jewell recommends completing preventive maintenance before spring storm season arrives, including trimming trees and clearing dead branches near homes, plus fixing any damaged or loose roofing materials. When severe weather threatens, he suggests securing outdoor items like furniture, grills and decorations that could become dangerous projectiles.
“And be prepared for power outages too,” he added. Keep an emergency kit with flashlights, extra batteries, a weather radio, first-aid items, medications, documents, cash, blankets, non-perishable food and multi-day supply of bottled water.
Pumo emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper insurance protection against storm damage. Discussing coverage options with an insurance professional beforehand can prevent costly surprises following a natural disaster.
Visit vafb.com/natural-disaster-safety/severe-storms for tips on storm preparation or enter your ZIP code at vafb.com/locations to find a VFBMIC agent nearby.
Media: Contact Pumo at 804-785-9431; or Jewell at 800-828-6862.
