Using a disaster as an opportunity to renovate, the Kentucky Derby Museum opens its doors after experiencing $5.5 million in water damage. Flash floods that devastated the Louisville area caused the museum to close its doors on August 4, 2009 as its basement and main floor were under water.
“…Staffers had to wade knee-deep in water to save museum artifacts.
“Staff workers said they used emergency lighting to lift artifacts out of flood water and stacked them in any dry area they could find.
“Despite the efforts, more than 2,000 items from the collections and archives were lost due to significant water damage.
“At the museum, a video exhibit now shows the devastation of the flood as it was happening.”
Document and Book Drying
Unfortunately, wet documents and wet books were lost in the Kentucky Derby Museum’s flood remediation process. The museum’s websites states: “… These items include photographs, historic newspaper clippings, race meet programs, racing forms, chart books and other historical records.” The areas of the museum devastated by the floodwaters were renovated and new exhibits are in their place.
The causes of the failed document drying or book drying are not specifically mentioned on the Kentucky Derby Museum’s website. However, there are proven techniques that will dry wet documents and books even after they have experienced significant water damage.
Get Questions about Document Drying Answered
No business is immune to water damage, whether it is from a flood or due to a leaky pipe. If you are in the Boston area this week, visit the Rapid Refile booth (# 2251) at the RIMS Conference from April 25-29, 2010 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The Rapid Refile team will be there to answer your questions about the document-drying process and help get businesses set up with preventative measures in the case of a disaster.
Once the April showers pass and the May flowers bloom, it’s time to get ready for hurricane season. Hurricane season lasts 5 solid months; beginning in June and lasting until the end of November. Before the season is upon us, the time to prepare for hurricanes it is now.
Make a plan. Those who suffered the most during and after a hurricane were the least prepared. Develop a plan with your family that includes evacuation routes, lists of important phone numbers, what to do with family pets, and preparing emergency food and medical kits.
Protect your property against hurricane damage. Purchase hurricane shutters or boards for your windows. Plan for water to enter your home: move important or valuable items to an attic or the second level of a building.
Know how to recover after a hurricane. Even though they may feel eternal, storms eventually die-out. Know ahead of time what you are going to do to recover your home, business and personal items after the storm.
Act now to be hurricane-ready. Doing so will allow you to focus on keeping you and your family safe instead of having to push through grocery and hardware store crowds because you waited until the last minute.
A week of heavy rains in Rhode Island caused major floods and a crisis to retail stores and business. The Warwick Mall, its 70 stores, and stores in the surrounding area are closed for business indefinitely. The mall’s website states on its homepage:
“…The cleaning process has begun and we will re-open as soon as we can. Stay tuned for the future Grand Re-Opening of the Warwick Mall.
Store managers will be granted access to their space accompanied by their cleaning contractors beginning Monday, April 5th, to retrieve any valuables. Please check-in at our temporary office at RI Costume. Only 1-2 managers per store will be allowed access at the same time and access will be granted one time only. Please wear boots (ankle coverage). Picture I.D. required. Phone is 739-7500 or 739-8880.”
“The Providence Journal” reports clean-up efforts could take several weeks to months, especially in the area of Bald Hill Road, and it could take just as long to know to total cost of all the damages the state has suffered. However, the national retail chains affected by the floodwaters are well prepared for such disastersas this as they often have flood insurance to cover their losses, and have established business continuity plans. The publication adds:
“After the water retreats and the area is sanitized, equipment must be checked, owners must obtain building permits and rebuild damaged areas, while the Health Department must sign off on inspections. Backlogs are a dreary inevitability.”
Business owners effected by the recent Rhode Island floods, in order to ensure a successful recovery, should immediately contact a disaster recovery service, repair equipment, recover data, and secure cash flow through a business continuity plan.
Residents of Fargo, South Dakota are battling the Red River once again as it has reached the critical stage of a “major flood” today. As of 7:00 a.m., the river was 12-feet above flood stage at 30.34 feet, according to CNN. Waters are expected to get as high as 38 feet over the weekend.
Major Flood Stage
The term, “major flood stage,” was developed by the National Weather Service to describe floods whose waters have covered roads and buildings. When waters reach this stage possessions should be elevated, such as to the 2nd-story of a house, and residents should be prepare for an evacuation.
The recent flood was caused by the recent warm weather and rain melting snow, causing the Red River to swell in the Fargo area. There are still patches of ice and snow that have yet to melt.
One of the most important things to do before a storm is to have a plan: have a plan for your business, and have a plan for your home. This plan should include directions on where items should be stored to protect them from flood waters, preparing an emergency disaster kit that’s ready to go should there be an evacuation, and having a list of important phone numbers so you can reach family members, schools, insurance agents, etc. Being prepared will aid in business continuity and getting things back to normal afterwards.
What to do After a Flood
Do not go into a building to assess the damage unless an expert has said it is safe to do so. Call your insurance company to file a claim if you have flood insurance. Begin restoring wet items before mold can cause damage by placing them out to dry and calling a flood restoration specialist. Many items like documents, books and photographs can be dried and restored after a storm with the help of specialist as well.
As the weather improves, many people find themselves wanting to spend more time outdoors. Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces offer an excellent way to extend the amount of time that can be comfortably spent outdoors with family and friends.
When planning for your outdoor fireplace or fire pit, comfort and ease of access seem to top the list-but the safety of your family, home or business, and guests should be the top priority. By following a few simple suggestions, you can avoid having your latest home or business improvement project become a nightmare.
Here are a few things to consider when protecting your home and family from a fire:
Proximity to combustible materials. It is recommended that you keep any combustible materials a minimum of 10 feet away from your fireplace.
The type of fuel. Wood, gas, or charcoal are the most popular and safest fuels to use in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Don’t use chemicals or combustibles, like lighter fluid or gasoline, to get the flames going.
Placement. Never place your fireplace on a wooden deck as hot embers can quickly ruin an evening.
Supervisionand prevention. Always supervise children and pets when a fire pit or outdoor fireplace is in use. Children easily fall and pets sometimes miscalculate their jumps. Many fire pits and fireplaces come with metal grates or curtains that can be placed on top of them–use them.
Proper disposal. Never dispose of hot ashes in a plastic waste receptacle. Instead, wait until the ashes have cooled and place them in a trash can made out of metal
Be ready. Make sure to have a garden hose, bucket of water, and/or a fire extinguisher close by when using your fireplace or fire pit.
Don’t break the law. Before installing a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, check with your local fire department see if these items are legal to use in your area. Some cities allow outdoor fireplaces only for ascetic purposes, but not for use as a heat source.
