When there is a fire in a building, the sprinkler system and firefighters’ efforts can be a saving grace. However, if the sprinklers went off in your home or office, would you run inside the building to gather items that would be irreplaceable if damaged by water? Did you know that you do not have to risk your life and safety for fear that precious books, photos and documents may get wet?
Although fire sprinklers can help slow the spread of a fire in a building, they can also cause water damage to electronic equipment, walls, carpets and so on. To help address this problem, “The Washington Post” suggests placing valuables in plastic zipper bags and storing them on the lower levels of a building, off the floor. However, the plastic zipper bags will only do so much if they burn in a fire.
While storing items in plastic bags is not a horrible idea, there are other steps people can take in a home or office to prevent water and fire damage from occurring to important documents and personal items in the event of a fire.
The first is to invest in a water and fireproof file cabinet and/or safe and use it. Store your important documents and personal items in a file cabinet or safe on a daily basis. These items can include deeds, photograph negatives, contracts, books and other things of value. Learn other water and fire-damage prevention techniques.
After a week of heavy rains left California wet and muddy, residents are bracing for yet another storm. The National Weather Service reports a smaller storm is expected to make landfall on Tuesday and should last a couple of days.
This comes as bad news as people took advantage of the drier weather and began the restoration process this weekend. The week of stormy weather affected the hills to the beaches: recently wildfire-devastated areas experienced mud slides and the coast had dirty beaches as the San Gabriel River sent trash to line the ocean shores. Stranger yet, cities across the state witnessed the fall of hail, and the sighting of a funnel cloud prompted a tornado warning near Brentwood. Work crews and residents in California are now scrambling to clean up what they can before the next wave of rain hits.
It is vital that water damage caused by the recent storms is cleaned up as mold damage will soon follow if items are left damp. A company that specialized in disaster recovery services can assist in this effort and help businesses and homeowners get back on their feet by drying wet documents and other items.
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.
The state of George in the U.S. received an unexpected visitor this week: over 20 inches of rain. The surprising waters left Atlanta-area residents stranded, homeless, and 10 people have died as a result of the flood waters.
The Insurance Commissioner of Georgia, John Oxendine, has estimated the damage from this event to total $500 million or more. It is reported that 20,000 homes and buildings have suffered major flood damage. As a result, a disaster declaration was issued so individuals can receive assistance.
Here are some sites that are offering assistance to those affected by this flood:
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.”
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.
