Disaster Recovery News

Hurricane Ida is fiercely making her way through the Caribbean and is headed towards the Gulf Coast. The state of Louisiana has already declared a state of emergency as Ida is expected to make landfall within the next 36 hours. Although strong winds are not expected, up to 6 inches of rain may be seen. The Governor’s office has published tips about creating a hurricane “Game Plan”.

Flash flood warnings have already been issued in Georgia for the Atlanta and northern-areas of the state as rainfall is expected to reach up to 4 inches.

Mississippi officials are also warning their residents about potential flooding and storms surges in anticipation of Hurricane Ida. Residents of Mississippi are urged to visit the MSEMA website for the latest in the state’s hurricane news.

Weather officials also warn that Ida could turn into a powerful Nor’easter storm in the north eastern states of the U.S.

The National Hurricane Center has posted advisories about Hurricane Ida along with up-to-date maps about the storm’s path to the United States.

Click here to find tips about how to prepare for a hurricane in one’s home.

Business owners: learn about what you should do after the storm.

Image from TWIA

The Texas Department of Insurance is not happy about how the Texas Windstorm Association handled past claims for roof shingles that were lifted by hurricane winds.

A complaint was filed recently stating there were “unfair” and “deceptive” practices and claims were handled in “bad faith”. Since Hurricane Ike, 724 complaints have been made against the Texas Windstorm Association.

Customers that filed complaints are upset their claims were denied unfairly. Others filed complaints stating their claim was under-paid and a proper investigation of damages was lacking. One complaint, for example, is about how a claim was treated regarding loose shingles on a residential roof after Hurricane Ike. An engineer, hired by the state of Texas, inspected a customer’s roof and determined it needed to be replaced, stating (emphasis added): “It is my opinion that the shingles will not perform as designed under high winds and may fail causing moisture related damage to the interior portion of the residence. In my opinion, the roof should be replaced to prevent any future moisture related damage to the residence.”

However, when the claim’s representative sought guidance on the issue from a senior staff person, he was told the damage probably occurred before Hurricane Ike hit and there is no point to replace the roof when some tar could stick the shingles back on. Plus, if they replace this roof because of a few loose shingles, they would have to replace a lot more. The agent looking for guidance reports the shingles will not re-adhere.

Read the full story.

Many businesses have been affected by Hurricane Ike and are represented in the complaints mentioned above. Before a natural disaster occurs, businesses should have a disaster recovery plan developed. Learn how here.

With the peak of hurricane season coming up around September 10, many are wondering whether the number of hurricanes are likely to decrease in the coming weeks. After all, the southeastern part of the U.S. is surely in need of a reprieve.

Not likely to happen soon, says experts.

Hurricane experts say that all the necessary components for a hurricane formation are in abundance right now. The water temperatures are warmer than usual and the wind patterns are ripe for strong tropical storms and hurricanes. We have already seen 10 named storms this season, the average number of storms for an entire season!

U.S. residents should be preparing for more hurricanes in the coming month and begin making preparations for flooding, winds and power outtages. Experts are predicting that this September will have nearly twice as many hurricanes as a typical September hurricane season.

Read more about the 2008 hurricane season.