It’s Flood Safety Week. According the FEMA and NOAA, floods account for 90% of the natural disasters in the United States. Floods can be caused by snow melt, hurricanes and tropical storms, flash floods, severe storms, and levee failures. Not only are floods the most prevalent of the natural disasters, but are also the most costly and deadly of the disasters.
FEMA and NOAA have paired up and created FloodSmart.gov, a site that educates one about the risks involved with floods, the costs of floods financially and personally, and what one can do to protect against flood risks. It is estimated that 25% of flood claims are from areas that are not in areas considered to be “high-risk”.
FloodSmart.gov outlines how one can begin to recover from a flood.
An octopus the size of a person’s forearm when stretched out all the way caused massive flooding at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium last Thursday. The sea creature swam to the top of its tank and took apart the recycling system’s valve, causing approximately 200 gallons of water to flood into the building, including the children’s exhibit where the octopus was on display.
Officials at the aquarium guess that water continuously flowed for about 10 hours before the problem was discovered. Fortunately, the little octopus was not hurt nor endangered in any way by her actions.
Although the aquarium is built over the beach, it has no floor drains. The LA Times reports that after the staff’s attempts to clean-up, “the only significant damage was to newly installed ecologically sensitive flooring in several offices. It consists of linseed-and-cork tiles that soaked up the seawater and squished beneath workers’ feet the rest of the day.”
When businesses experience flooding, expert disaster recovery specialists need to be called to help clean and assess the damage from the water. The quicker the clean-up, the faster one can be back in business. The proper cleaning and drying of items after a flood can prevent mold and further damage to the item or building.
We all want a safe home and place of work, but often do not know where to start. This checklist will help you take a look at how how a home or building was made and what natural hazards can be found around it.
Natural Hazards:
Wooded areas or a lot of natural vegetation: these areas are more prone to wildfires when the weather is dry.
The ocean: buildings or homes near these large bodies of water may need to be prepared for hurricanes, high winds, flooding, and wind-driven rain. Look around walls and ceilings by windows for signs of water damage.
Rivers and lakes: homes and buildings near rivers and lakes are more likely to flood. Look at the exterior of your home or building for damage.
Earthquake zone: buildings and homes near a fault line will need to look at the structural integrity for stability. Structural improvements should be made if deemed necessary for protection.
When Purchasing a Home or Building from Others:
When was the building or home built? Knowing the year of a structure can help you know what codes were in place at the time it was built. Newer building had stricter codes and will typically withstand disasters better.
What was used during building? Knowing what materials were used to make a house or building can help you decide if they need to be replaced. Some materials can hold-up better against natural disasters.
How does the roof look? The condition of the roof can indicate water damage. It is time to replace a roof if it is sagging or has visible damage. Check the roof for moss as well; this could be an indication there may be water damage.
Are all the levels of a building level and sturdy? In buildings and homes that have more than one story, check to see that the floors are level and feel strong. If they are not, this could be a sign there is water damage or damage to the foundation.
Any plumbing problems? Older homes and buildings may have unstable or deteriorating pipes. Sewer back-ups can also be concern in this instance.
Heavy snow and torrential rain forced I-5 to close today and the cancellation of the final round of a national golf tournament. The storm stretches from Mexico up to Washington State. Relief will not be in sight until late Tuesday.
According to the AP: “Heavy snow forced the closure of a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 5 in both directions in the mountains north of Los Angeles. The roadway is the region’s main north-south artery.
‘We don’t see it opening any time soon,’ said David Porter, a California Highway Patrol officer.”
Cedar Rapids, Iowa is still trying to pick up the pieces after a devastating flood eight months ago invaded the city.The Wall Street Journalreports: “About 10 square miles of flood-wrecked neighborhoods are largely abandoned, with thousands of boarded-up houses and businesses lining debris-dotted streets. A steam and electricity generating station that served some of the city’s biggest employers is still inoperable. More than 300 municipal buildings are in need of repair, along with roads and bridges.”
To add to the stresses of restoring and rebuilding the city of Cedar Rapids and the lives affected, there are growing worries about the drooping economy causing another crisis for the area. Although the unemployment rate is below the national average at 4.6% in the area, job losses are eminent for the area.
City leaders have expressed there has not been enough assistance provided to rebuild resident dwellings such as apartments and houses. Russ Edmonston with FEMA stated: “It is going to take a long while to get a sense of normalcy for the people of Cedar Rapids, and we’ll be here to shoulder those burdens.” Nonetheless, residents of Cedar Rapids are finding it harder and harder to cope. More on flood restoration.
