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.
The weekend rain continues to pour down on Southern California as four storms are predicted to blow through the area this week . Rain is expected to continue through Tuesday morning and turn into a stronger storm with lightening and thunder. Hail, tornadoes, and up to 1.5 inches of rain are expected to make an appearance this afternoon and last through the night.
Authorities are advising commuters to exercise caution this evening on their way home. They also ask that people stay inside when there is lightening and thunder.
The coastal areas have a high-surf advisory in effect through the end of the week. A flood watchhas also been issued through Wednesday.
The strongest in this series of storms is expected to affect Southern California on Wednesday and Thursday. Experts predict that as much as 8 inches of rain could fall in the area.
Residents in a San Antonio, Texas neighborhood have constant battles with water damage because of reoccurring water damage.
The culprit: a break in a water-line that runs through the neighborhood, which has been broken since 1995. This main water-line bursts in two a fountain at least once a year.
Ken5.com reports a man affected in this neighborhood constantly has a flooded backyard, shed, and garage. The foundation of this man’s home is falling apart and the cracks in his walls prove it. Another neighbor has had to fix her foundation a couple of times.
The residents affected cannot seek damages in court because the broken water-line is a public utility protected by law.
Flood damage can do more than just make cracks in walls and cause foundations to crumble. Water brings mold, which can create even more extensive damage that can be difficult to remediate.
“Turn around, don’t drown.” This is a sign many residents of Manatee County and Tampa Bay residents come upon if they are driving and the roads flood. Flooding of the roads is not an uncommon sight in Florida, especially during hurricane season.
Officials are warned residents this weekend about high water levels and poor drainage. These conditions could last through Tuesday.
Earlier in the month, Tampa Bay residents had already dealt with more than their share of rainfall and flooding.
South Meadow School in Peterborough, New Hampshire recently welcomed a new school-year, but had to work harder than usual to re-open its doors. A couple days before school started, the school suffered major flood damage that came with hard rains that were too much for the school’s drainage system.
Flood waters went as high as 6-inches on the school building, soaking carpets, school equipment, classrooms, and drywall. When the news of the flood reached the facilities director, he immediately followed the guidelines of the school’s emergency disaster plan and gathered the maintenance crew to begin the clean-up process before calling-in professionals to assist.
The quick thinking and fast actions of all involved saved the school from thousands of dollars of future expenses. The actions taken saved the school from further damage from the flood waters and prevented damaging mold-growth.
The staff members at the school follow a business continuity plan and set-up make-shift offices in different locations of the school and even utilized the high school’s building during the flood recovery process. The attitude of the school staff remained positive as they saw the flood damage as a means to do some much-needed reorganizing.
