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DOUGLAS COUNTY — Phones have been ringing nonstop for many insurance agencies in Douglas County after a tornado and straight-line winds caused massive damage last Thursday, May 12.
Amy Christopherson, State Farm agent and owner of
Amy Christopherson Agency in Alexandria
, was on the phone late Thursday evening with a family along South Darling Drive who lost their home when a tornado hit their neighborhood.
Christopherson was able to meet up with them early Friday morning, around 7:30 a.m., to provide them with a check so that they could go out and purchase some necessities, she said.
Lowell Anderson / Echo Press file photo
The family, who Christopherson said is a “sweet young couple with four children,” needed new car seats, clothing items, shoes and more after the tornado destroyed their home, she added.
Because the family had a local insurance agent, they were able to get help immediately, said Christopherson, noting that after a catastrophe like this, having a local agent can be very beneficial.
When there is massive, widespread damage from a storm, Christopherson said her agency has had to prioritize clients who have the greatest needs, or in this case, those who had homes that were uninhabitable.
“Our clients have been so understanding and know that those with the worst damage come first,” she said.
As with the family living along South Darling Drive who lost their home, Christopherson said it was a priority to get them funds to be able to purchase items that were immediately needed. Additionally, she was able to find them temporary housing at
Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center.
Map of area where a confirmed tornado touched down.
“I worked directly with Shari (Prause, general manager) and she was so helpful and accommodating to the family,” she said. “It was amazing. They are able to stay there until we can find a long-term solution.”
Christopherson said she was so impressed with the family, who she said have handled everything so well. She also said she was talking to another State Farm agent, Amy Roers from Glenwood who has been in the business for more than 35 years. Christopher said Roers told her that this storm was the worst she has seen in her career.
Over this next week, Christopherson said insurance agents and claims adjusters will be out and about surveying and estimating the damage. At this point, she said it is hard to tell how much damage in terms of dollars was done.
She also shared some tips for homeowners, such as making sure if they have holes in their roofs to get them tarped as soon as possible to keep from more damage occurring inside the home if more storms or rain were to occur.
Another important tip, she said, is for homeowners to annually or biannually review their homeowners insurance policy with their agent to make sure the policy will cover what needs to be covered.
“We don’t want there to be any surprises,” she said.
And lastly, she said her office has had a lot of calls about water in basements because of electricity going out and sump pumps not working.
“People should check their renters/condo/homeowners policy for optional back-up sewer and drain coverage,” she said.
She said ServPro in Alexandria was an integral part of the help for this for many people.
Christopherson said her clients have been understanding in the aftermath of the storm and realize that it’s going to take awhile for everything to get figured out. In the meantime, she strongly urges people to check out their policies.
“You don’t want any future surprises,” she said.
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