Disaster Recovery News

Several residents of Dundalk in Baltimore County were rescued recently when flood waters trapped them inside their homes. The cause of the flood was not due to bad weather. Rather, it was caused by a break in a 6-foot-wide water main. USA Today reports about 100 homes and several businesses were damaged by the flood waters that were sometimes “chest-deep”.  Many roads were also damaged by the high waters. Although many people had to be rescued, no one was injured.

Residents are back in their homes and businesses, beginning the restoration process. Inevitably, many wet documents and personal items are going to have to be dried out by professionals.

“The state would assist families with property damage, similar to aid offered after Tropical Storm Isabel damaged homes in 2003, also in eastern Baltimore County, the spokesman said.

“…O’Malley visited the scene and pledged state resources to help the county and those affected recover, saying officials from the Maryland Insurance Administration would help residents make claims.”

More on this story from The Baltimore Sun.

Homes and businesses can flood in moments, without a notice or storm to precede the flooding. It is vital that homes and businesses have a disaster plan set up that outlines what is to be done before there is a problem.

When there is a flood, one may think all wet documents and data are lost. This is not so. Disaster recovery specialists can help restore wet documents and recover data after an incident such as the one in Baltimore County.

Officials in Baltimore County, Maryland have declared they are ready for winter weather–no matter what it brings.

Currently, the county has 300 trucks and 14 storage facilities full of salt (50,000 tons of  it). On top of this, 100 private contractors are on retainer and 400 people are ready to move if the winter weather hits hard.

What is more amazing than the fact that the storage units are 2,000 tons of salt under capacity is that the county conducted a winter weather drill on December 2. The Towson Times reports that county police, fire officials, the school districts, and the departments of public works (health, aging and social services) came together to practice what they would do in the event of severe winter weather. This was called a “winter-weather preparedness drill” and it will help all involved be better prepared, more coordinated, and work more effectively towards providing relief and safety in the county.

Read the full story here.

Is this drill something your county does? Do you have a preparedness drill for your home or business? Would you know what to do if your business or home was a victim of winter weather disaster?

Find out how to make a recovery plan for your business and how to make your own emergency disaster kits. Learn about winter storm protection and how to prevent mold during the winter months.