In issuing the outlook for the 2012 hurricane season, experts at the Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, advise “conditions are favorable for an active season,” along the Atlantic basin. The forecast includes 10 Named Storms, 4 of which will be hurricanes. Of the 4 hurricanes, 2 will be major ones with sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour, capable of producing devastating damage. The hurricane season runs from early June through the end of November. Hazards from these storms come in many forms including high winds, tornadoes, storm surges, and flooding. However, while predictions for this year are disturbing, a simple disaster plan along with employing some common sense measures can serve to help mitigate damage or total destruction. “At the onset of a storm, the most important concern is ensuring one’s personal safety and that of loved ones,” commented Christiane Fischer, President and CEO of AXA Art’s North American operations. “For collectors, having a disaster plan in place can serve to protect prized possessions and valuable art and collectibles”. With information gathered from conservators and its worldwide team of expert partners, AXA Art has assembled a guide for collectors including a checklist with key elements in hurricane catastrophe prevention. Below is an excerpt from the AXA Art Hurricane Disaster Plan Article, which can be downloaded in full on the AXA Art website. Checklist – Before the Storm: 1. Maintain a list of emergency telephone numbers which includes those of your insurance agents/brokers, insurance company (note your policy number), conservators, art storage facility, and local freeze-dry facilities. Keep an extra copy with your insurance agent. 2. Prepare and maintain a fine art inventory file with images of each work, name of artist or maker, title, dimensions, media, and year. Include invoices for each of your valuables. Protect your documents by securing important papers in water- and fire-proof safes or storage boxes. In addition, keep a copy of all documentation at a separate, secure location. 3. Consider a hurricane evacuation plan for your art collection. Contact local art storage facilities that could potentially provide secured storage space prior to the arrival of the tropical storm or hurricane. Alternatively, you may wish to build a storm closet within your home. 4. In the absence of a hurricane evacuation plan, install a HVAC climate control system with a back-up generator, which can protect against rising humidity levels that can damage artwork. 5. Prepare your home by adding protective hurricane shutters and roof hurricane clips. 6. Make sure you have supplies to be able to bolt down outside furniture before the storm approaches. 7. Prepare a stock of emergency supplies to include flashlights, fans, dehumidifiers, hurricane lamps and oil, matches, battery-operated AM/FM radio with extra batteries and coolers. Include a waterproof instant camera to use to document any damage. 8. If you have an emergency generator, make sure it is above possible high water levels. Generators should only be used in dry, outdoor areas and away from anything flammable. 9. In preparation for potential evacuation of an approaching storm, each household member should have a backpack ready and include a change of clothing, bottled water, nonperishable food items such as granola bars, as well as an up-to-date list of any medications with dosage information. Include all doctors’ names and phone numbers. Also include contact and meeting information for the household, child care supplies, or special care items. Above Image: Hurricane Rita as it started making landfall on the Gulf Coast on September 23, 2005. Credit: NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, from the MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC. About AXA ART

International reach, unrivalled competence, and a high quality network of expert partners distinguish AXA ART, the only art insurance specialist in the world, from its generalist property insurance competitors. Over the past 50 years and well into the future, AXA ART has and will continue to redefine the manner in which it serves and services its museum, gallery, collector, and artist clients across North America, Asia, and Europe, with a sincere consideration of the way valuable objects are insured and cultural patrimony is protected. For more information visit: www.axa-art-usa.com.]]>