Disaster Recovery News

The Weather Channel has posted a severe weather alert for the regions of southwest Washington to northwest Oregon. The forecast calls for heavy rains and strong winds starting on Tuesday morning. The severe weather is expected to last at least through Wednesday night.

The snow levels will lower to around 4500-5000 feet. Accumulations may get up to 5 inches before the snow level rises again.

The Weather Channel states:

“IT IS NOT CERTAIN YET WHERE THE HEAVIEST RAIN FALL WILL BE FOCUSED

BUT THIS MODERATETO HEAVY RAIN COULD CAUSE SOME RIVERS AND STREAMS

TO RISE RAPIDLY.URBAN AND STREET FLOODING IS ALSO POSSIBLE...

ESPECIALLY WHERESTORM DRAINS ARE BLOCKED DUE TO LEAVES…STRONG WINDS

ARE POSSIBLE ALONG THE COAST TUESDAY THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING

WITH WIND GUSTS UP TO 55 MPH AT TIMES NEAR BEACHES AND HEADLANDS.IN

ADDITION TO THE WIND AND RAIN...ANOTHER CONCERN WITH THIS STORM WILL

BE THE POTENTIAL FOR MINOR TIDAL FLOODING IN AREA BAYS AND ALONG THE

COAST…THE STRONG FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL LIKELY BUILD WEST SWELLS ALONG

THE COAST TO 16 TO 18 FEET... THE RESULT MAY BE MINOR TIDAL FLOODING

OF LOW LYING AREAS ALONG THECOAST AND BAY SHORES ESPECIALLY WEDNESDAY

MORNING AND THURSDAY MORNING.”

All the details of this storm are still uncertain as this system is still developing. Those who live in this area of the country should check their local weather station’s bulletins for up-to-date news on the status of the storm. Those who reside in areas in danger of flooding should take measures to prevent water damage. A disaster recovery specialist can assist those who have experienced water damage to help prevent mold and restore important items such as documents, photos, and books.

More on recovering from water damage.

Photo by oregonianphoto.

On June 14, counties in Wisconsin were given natural disaster relief from the federal government after storms, tornadoes and flooding destroyed major sections of the state. Residents in the Columbia, Crawford, Dodge, Green, Milwaukee, Racine, Richland, Sauk, Vernon, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties may all be eligible for federa aid from FEMA to help restore homes and businesses after this tragedy.

Now, FEMA is urging residents to start cleaning up their homes and personal property as soon as possible rather than wait for an inspection by FEMA representatives. This directive was given in the hopes of curbing any health risks associatd with lingering water damage and the corresponding mold outbreaks that typically accompanies these types of disasters.

Residents are asked to document their lossed property thoroughly and take pictures of all the damages so that when FEMA inspectors arrive, they can make a quick analysis and take information with them. Residents will also need to keep all of the receipts they acquire while purchasing new living items during their displacement.

Home and business owners should not enter damaged homes or offices however, if their is a concern for the structural integrity of the building. Gas leaks or downed electricity may affect some buildings – know the status of these things before you begin the clean-up process. Safety is still the most important thing in these disaster recovery efforts.

West Virginia has now been added to the list of states receiving Federal funding for disaster relief associated with the severe flooding taking place throughout the midwest. Today, the president declared West Virginia a major disaster area and approved federal aid to help families and businesses recover from the damages associated with the tornadoes, flooding, mudslides and landslides that affected the area June 3-7. The funding will be made available to individuals in the following counties:

Barbour | Doddridge | Gilmer | Harrison | Jackson | Jefferson | Marion | Taylor | Tyler

The money provided by the federal government will be provided to assist with paying for temporary housing, home repairs, restoration of personal items and other water disaster recovery needs (loans for small businesses and farmers).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be holding building demonstration in Caraway, Arkansas June 13-16, 2008 as a means to show proper home rebuilding and repair techniques for those that are salvaging their homes after flooding devastated the area. FEMA representatives will be offering free professional advice on how to restore homes in such a way as to reduce the likelihood of damage again in the future. Representatives believe that both big and little changes can have a big impact on creating better fortitude of homes and businesses in the event of a future disaster.

FEMA Rebuilding & Repair Demonstrations and Advice Events
Haag True Value (105 Kentucky St.Caraway AR 72419)
Phone: (870) 482-3431

June 13-16, 2008
1:30pm – 5:30pm Friday
7:30am – 5:00pm Saturday and Monday (Closed Sunday)