Photo from Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection
Fears of the Birdland levee are all too present in the minds of Des Moines, Iowa residents who live near Saylorville Lake and the Des Moines River Valley. It was only two years ago that the levees broke and flooded the neighborhood.
Forecasts Call for Rain
As forecasters predict rainy weather, residents who live around Saylorville Lake prepare their homes and property for the worst. The “Des Moines Register” reports “engineers fret that weakened levees could slough off into the river as water levels drop, which could bring their block another catastrophic flood.”
Preparing for a Flood
Despite the anger residents may feel at the federal and city government for not having built a stronger levee, they must keep looking forward and prepare for what may come. With the news of the potential levee breach, residents prepared their homes by learning from their past mistakes and considering expert advice. This advice included the following:
Place all valuables on the second story of your home or in a safe location that is not in the path of the potential flood.
Secure items that have the potential to float away, such as gas tanks.
Know your local evacuation routes and the location of the nearest emergency shelters.
Be protected with not only homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, but with flood insurance as well.
Plan to recover. Keep the contact information for your insurance agency and policy numbers handy. In addition, have the contact information for a professional restoration company with you so they can help you remove the floodwaters from your home, which can quickly cause damaging mold growth if left untreated.
Alex, the first named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, has moved into the Gulf of Mexico. Experts think there are good chances the storm could turn into a hurricane as it moves over the Gulf’s warm waters. The Associated Press states, “…the storm’s direction is not on track to hit the BP oil spill on the northeastern end of the Gulf. Maximum sustained winds Sunday night were 45 mph.”
So far, Tropical Storm Alex has proven deadly in the Central American states it has already visited. Meteorologists predict the storm will not make landfall in the United States, but will land in Mexico instead. However, it is important to remember that a tropical storm’s track can suddenly change and/or strengthen.
Be Prepared
When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens your area, there are some basic hurricane preparedness tips to keep in mind.
Make sure you are covered. Most home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by water, whether it is from a burst pipe or flood waters. Get flood insurance before it is too late.
Know the hazards in your community and where to seek shelter. Be aware of areas that are likely to flood when there is heavy rainfall. In addition, create a map with highlighted route in the event you need to seek shelter. Remember to keep in mind possible road closures.
3. Know the safest area of your home.
Have your emergency disaster kit ready to go. This kit should have a list of important phone numbers, insurance policy information, a first aid kit, food and water rations, prescription medicines, flashlights, a radio and extra batteries.
Secure your property. Fill your vehicles with gasoline and park them in a garage. Move valuables away from the windows. Place boards or lower hurricane shutters over windows. Fill all tubs and sinks with water.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confessed on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 that it does not have an emergency plan in place for those who have special needs, including those who are elderly, disabled and institutionalized. In their defense, officials stated it too difficult for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination to create a rescue plan effectively with a $150,000 budget and four people on staff. The Miami Heraldreports, “Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Calif…said the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 improved emergency preparedness by directing FEMA to appoint a Disability Coordinator, but she added that the disability office’s meager funding has restricted its ability to perform well.”
Possible Solutions
In an attempt to address this issue, FEMA has suggested creating a list of individuals with special needs;. However, many feel this answer is ineffective and creates a false sense of security, as officials must consider when the next disaster may strike, not when. Instead, Marcie Roth, director of the disability office, states citizens need to take more responsibility and community-wide emergency trainings should be implemented.
The beginning of summer for residents in areas frequented by natural disasters means it is time to start preparing for what may come. Summertime marks the beginning of wildfires and hurricane season. The National Disaster Education Coalition states every person, no matter where they live, should learn what disasters could impact their area(natural and man-made), make an emergency disaster plan, create a list of emergency contacts, make sure they are properly insured and have a pre-made disaster kit.
Summertime Natural Disasters
The most notable natural disasters during the summer months are wildfires and hurricanes. Although experts predict a typical wildfire season this summer, the “Jackson County Floridian” states NOAA weather and emergency management experts expect an active hurricane season with at least five Category 3 storms. The warning prompted Governor Charlie Crist of Florida to write a note to the state’s citizens reminding them to prepare for hurricanes in advance and make sure they have adequate flood insurance coverage now.
Be Prepared for a Hurricane
Being prepared is not expensive and can actually save you money in the end because emergency supplies such as food and water can cost more before, during and after a disaster because they will be in high demand.
The National Hurricane Center encourages you to know and do the following in the event of any type of emergency:
The safest rooms in your home
Know the escape routes out of your home, city, county and state
Appoint a person to be single point of contact that everyone can call in the event of an emergency. This person should not live in the same state as you.
Know what you are going to do with your pets in the event of a disaster
Post emergency numbers near home phones and teach your children how to call 911
Rescuers began the morning of Saturday, June 12, 2010 in search of survivors after a devastating flash floodtook the lives of at least 19 people on Friday in a western Arkansas. CBS News reports that at least 200 rescuers trekked the terrain of the Albert Pike Campgrounds in search of signs of life.
Although the official day of summer is not yet here, it is officially hurricane season, which means heavy rains for many areas of the South until the month of November. Up to nine inches of rain fell on Friday in Alabama, which caused the Caddo and Little Missouri rivers to rise eight feet in an hour. Reports state the rivers went from a mere 3 feet to a deadly 23 feet in a matter of hours. The rushing waters that tore through the campground did not discriminate; they wiped away everything in its path.
Along with the rains are hot, muggy days, which made rescue efforts increasingly difficult. CBS News states, “The death toll rose Saturday and is expected to continue. One-third of the dead are children. Officials say recovery could take weeks.”
With hurricane season already here, it is important you bear in mind that hurricanes also come with tropical storms that pour buckets of rain in a short period of time. Even though the rains may not seem to last long compared to the drizzle of the fall season, they can be exponentially more deadly. As you prepare for this hurricane season, do not forget to keep the accompanying tropical storms in mind by making an emergency disaster plan.
