Disaster Recovery News

The American Red Cross’ Disaster Online Newsroom has posted a video of 2008’s top 5 disasters. These disasters were mostly weather-related.

Learn more about disaster recovery.

Tropical Storm Kyle has now been updated to a Category One Hurricane. The severity of this storm is not expected to increase over the next 12-24 hours, according to the National Weather Service. Kyle is expected to weaken on Sunday night.

The Environmental Protection Agency provides these tips on how to disinfect emergency drinking water:

USE ONLY WATER THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY DISINFECTED FOR DRINKING, COOKING, MAKING ANY PREPARED DRINK, OR FOR BRUSHING TEETH

1. Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available.
2. If you don’t have bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers.
3. If you can’t boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.
4. If you have a well that has been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.

Click here to read advice from the Center for Disease Control about preventing illnesses or injuries after a hurricane or flood.

For more about recovering from a hurricane or flood, click here.

Click here to read about how disaster recovery services can help you.

One of the greatest causes of hurricane damage occurs as part of the initial storm surge that takes place. In fact, these surges typically result in the highest loss of life because of their suddenness and strength of force.

A storm surge is defined as the water that is pushed up toward the shoreline by the force of the hurricane winds swirling over the water and around the storm. This surge along with normal tides create a hurricane storm tide. This causes a rise in water levels that can result in severe floods along the coast. Towns and cities located very close to sea level and along a shallowly sloped coast line will be the most affected by storm surge damage. In contrast, a steeper shelf or a higher elevation blocks much of the surge’s strength.

Homes located in areas where a storm surge is likely to cause significant flooding should take proper precautions to plan for flood damage.

At a blogger roundtable in Washington DC last week, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Paulison discussed hurricane preparation and plans. Some highlights from that session were that both agencies don’t want the public to be caught off guard this hurricane season. The last two years were considered pretty mild by disaster experts but in no way does the government want people to sit back and do nothing in preparation for the season.

To this end, the two went on to discuss making sure individuals properly prepare for a potential disaster by winds and flooding. The two also discussed how the National Response Framework has been laid out and how the agency plans to encourage the public to create emergency plans through Ready Campaign Advertisements. Questions were also fielded related to the response and preparation help available for the poor or disabled.

The entire transcript is lengthy but very interesting, especially for those that may live in a high hurricane frequency zone.

Complete Chertoff Blogger Roundtable Transcript

The US Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign along with The Advertising Council wants small businesses throughout the hurricane zone to start thinking about plans for disaster recovery. A series of national public service announcements will be released nationwide this month to encourage businesses to develop an emergency preparedness strategy that “defines their day after” a hurricane strikes their area.

“Research conducted by the Ad Council found that more than 85 percent of small businesses understand that emergency preparedness is important, yet only four in ten businesses have a plan to protect their businesses,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. The ads, titled “Procrastination” are aimed at pushing companies to make emergency preparation a priority so that disaster recovery can be done in an orderly and safe way.

Hurricane season takes place generally between May and November each year in the Eastern Pacific and Atlantic, Caribbean Sea areas in North America. For more on Hurricane Season visit the National Hurricane Center.

Complete press release