Disaster Recovery News

Photo by jramspott

With fall weather that already seems too cold and the freezing winter months approaching the U.S. quickly, it is important that business and homeowners prepare their homes for water damage, or the prevention thereof.

The Insurance Information Institute reports the average claim due to water damage is about $5531. While some homeowner insurance policies may provide some coverage for certain types of water damage, not all do. One should review their home and business insurance policies with their agent to see exactly what is covered and what is not. Are there any riders, or policy add-ons, that can be added for extra protection? What type of water damage is covered?

In addition to being covered for the unexpected, one should prepare for it as well. Water damage prevention tips include painting water sealant on basement floors, moisture-sealing windows, and installing drains or valves that do not allow water reentry.  Preventing and remediating water damage will help one avoid having to deal with mold damage, which can be costly to eliminate.

NJ.com provides the following tips from The Institute for Business & Home Safety:

• “Inspect hoses and faucets. Check hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerator ice makers annually. Replace those with cracks or leaks, and replace them all every five to seven years.
• Shut off the water supply to the washing machine while away on vacation. Never leave the house while the washer or dishwasher is running. Know where the main water shut off valve is in your home.
• Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system to protect against the increased pressure caused by freezing pipes.
• Remove debris from downspouts. Turn off and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes.
• Install gutter guards to protect the clogging of the roof gutter so water flows easily off the roof.”

Other tips to prevent water damage when the weather gets cold include:

• Prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
• Weatherize a building for the winter months.
• Prevent fires in the home and be particularly careful with holiday decor. Remember: fires are put out with water, which can cause water damage. Fires also have smoke, which can also cause damage to one’s property.
• Layer windows and insulate.

More on water and mold damage prevention.

FEMA, the United Way, and the city of Louisville, Kentucky are seeking volunteers to aid with the flood restoration process after Jefferson County was devastated by a flood on August 4, 2009. The hope is to attain 100 people to volunteer their time every day for the next two weeks.

The mayor of Louisville sent out this plea:

“I’m calling on our faith-based organizations to help clear and clean these homes for our citizens who cannot do it alone. Without swift action, mold may overtake homes and threaten the health of families.”

Metro United Way, which is coordinating the volunteer effort, is providing assistance to those who are unable to clean-up their homes in the aftermath of the flood. Louisville Metro Public Solid Waste will not be charging a fee for flood debris that has been left out for curbside pickup. For more information about debris pick-up, call MetroCall at 311.

FEMA is providing flood aid for the August 4 flood. One must first apply.

More on this story.

Flood restoration specialists can aid home owners and families dry-out personal belongings, restore wet photos, and help clean and prevent mold damage. They can also help businesses clean up and ensure rapid business continuity.

More on the flood restoration process.

Image by compujeramy CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Miller Park flooded on June 19, 2009, causing water to spill into the stadium of the Milwaukee Brewers. The total dollar-amount of the losses is still being calculated. The lower level of the stadium became flooded after 6-feet of water accumulated on Miller Park Way during a storm.

Property damage to the stadium includes the areas of the concessionaires, property belonging to their custodial service, Johnson Controls, and the district. Almost 7,000 bobble-head dolls that were to be given away at Sunday’s game were all damaged. Fans will have to get this souvenir later, using a voucher that will be given away instead. Food items, paper products, and the electrical equipment were all affected by the rushing waters. While the food and paper products will have to be replaced, the electrical equipment has dried out and is in working condition. However, it is feared that the life of the equipment has been shortened because of premature rusting and wear-and-tear.

JSOnline reports that other items damaged within the lower level of the stadium include the drywall, carpeting, and two clubhouses.  All of these items will have to be replaced to prevent mold damage.

Learn about what businesses should do after a storm.

We all want a safe home and place of work, but often do not know where to start. This checklist will help you take a look at how how a home or building was made and what natural hazards can be found around it.

Natural Hazards:

• Wooded areas or a lot of natural vegetation: these areas are more prone to wildfires when the weather is dry.
• The ocean: buildings or homes near these large bodies of water may need to be prepared for hurricanes, high winds, flooding, and wind-driven rain. Look around walls and ceilings by windows for signs of water damage.
• Rivers and lakes: homes and buildings near rivers and lakes are more likely to flood. Look at the exterior of your home or building for damage.
• Earthquake zone: buildings and homes near a fault line will need to look at the structural integrity for stability. Structural improvements should be made if deemed necessary for protection.

When Purchasing a Home or Building from Others:

• When was the building or home built? Knowing the year of a structure can help you know what codes were in place at the time it was built. Newer building had stricter codes and will typically withstand disasters better.
• What was used during building? Knowing what materials were used to make a house or building can help you decide if they need to be replaced. Some materials can hold-up better against natural disasters.
• How does the roof look? The condition of the roof can indicate water damage. It is time to replace a roof if it is sagging or has visible damage. Check the roof for moss as well; this could be an indication there may be water damage.
• Are all the levels of a building level and sturdy? In buildings and homes that have more than one story, check to see that the floors are level and feel strong. If they are not, this could be a sign there is water damage or damage to the foundation.
• Any plumbing problems? Older homes and buildings may have unstable or deteriorating pipes. Sewer back-ups can also be concern in this instance.

What To Do After a Disaster:

• Make sure the building is safe before entering.
• Call your insurance agent and assess the damage.
• Call a disaster recovery specialist who can:
  • Dry and/or clean a damaged building
  • Restore wet or damaged documents
  • Restore lost data, film, x-rays, etc.
    
  • Dry out wet books
  • Clean and prevent mold damage
    
  • Restore blueprints and maps that may have been damaged

    
    

Source: DisaterSafety.org

Last week parts of Oregon had declared a state of emergency because of heavier-than-expected snowfall. This week parts of the state are dealing with the aftermath now that the temperatures have warmed up and turned the snowfall into rain.

The rivers are at flood-stage in the coastal areas and geologists are warning there may be landslides due to the weight of the melting snow. The Oregonian reports: “On Thursday, rain was falling at the rate of one-half inch an hour (in Tillamook County), and a second storm was expected to push through later in the evening…The Oregon Department of Transportation reported that water up to 16 inches deep closed Oregon 22 (Three Rivers Highway) about four miles west of the junction with Oregon 18 (Salmon River Highway)…The county opened a shelter at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds and activated its reverse 9-1-1 system to warn residents and businesses in flood areas to evacuate.”

Clackamas County in the Portland-Metro area has also declared a state of emergency. Mobile home parks and various neighborhoods have been evacuated and authorities have closed some roads. According to The Oregonian: “(Clackamas) County has closed about 60 roads. That includes the following due to landslides: U.S. 26, west of Sleepy Hollow; Oregon 224, near Tong Road; Welches Road, about a half mile north of Salmon River and Clackamas River Drive, between house numbers 13405 and 15077.” Residents are encouraged to stay home and not travel unnecessarily. One home has already been severely damaged from a landslide that injured five people.

Find relief information about the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross here.

Check out the following links for information about flood restoration:

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  • Recovering from water damage
  • Recovering documents after a storm
  • Business continuity after a storm
  • Mold Prevention