With fears of impending large-scale natural disasters, top climate scientists from the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), UK Met Office and US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will meet in Boulder, Colorado during the week for the first full session of ACE, the Attribution of Climate-related Events. The meeting is not a brainstorming session to try to prevent catastrophic events. Rather, My Fox Atlanta reports the professionals will put their heads together in an attempt to create a warning system to help predict meteorological disasters.
With the recent deadly flood in Pakistan, Moscow heat waves, Atlantic Ocean storms and severe winter weather, which some are saying is a result of “global weirding,” are trepidations about more frequent and deadlier natural disasters. The goal is to create a reliable warning system that would have the ability to identify the location and indicate the severity of future extreme weather events in a timely manner and, thus, save thousands of lives.
“These are the sorts of things we need to understand. We need to be able to forecast events weeks or months ahead of their occurrence so people can mitigate their worst impacts. We also need to consider the longer-term context and see if we need to build better sea defenses at a particular location and assess how high dykes or walls need to be. Certainly, one thing is clear: there is no time to waste. The effects of global warming are already upon us.”
Flooding, extending from the Midwestern states to the east coast of the U.S., has caused unforeseen devastation and cleanup costs. States affected by floodwaters include Iowa, Delaware, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and more. The causes of the floods are due to severe thunderstorms in the north and along the Atlantic Coast that filled rivers and lakes, and Tropical Depression Bonnie, which brewed in the Gulf of Mexico, according to Reuters.
Clean-Up Tips
Now that the storms are gone, residents in the flood-damaged states are left to clean the devastation in extreme heat. To those cleaning up after the aftermath of the natural disasters, consider the following tips:
Take pictures of all the damage to your property and write notes about it on a piece of paper. When individuals are stressed-out important information can easily slip their memory, and this type of documentation is helpful when making a claim with an insurance company or are seeking remediation assistance.
Use water cautiously. While water from wells may be okay for bathing in, only drink bottled water or water you boiled.
Start cleaning flood-damaged items as soon as you know it is safe to do so. Heat and moisture are the perfect breeding grounds for mold. Mold can grow in as little as three days, so it is to one’s advantage to act quickly, especially when it comes to wet documents, wet books and photographs. This is something business owners need to act quickly on so they can get back in business ASAP.
See if FEMA has declared a disaster in your area. Checkout their mobile site, m.fema.gov, and apply for disaster aid on your Smartphone.
Call in the experts. The assistance of a disaster restoration company can help you make sure your wet items are completely dry and mold-free so you do not have reoccurring mold problems and damage in the future.
While storms are scary and the aftermath is stressful, you have the power get your life back to normal quickly when you clean the water damage correctly. Learn more about what to do after a flood.
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
