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.
“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.
The KidsPeace residential center in North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania reported a fire early on Thursday morning. None of the resident youth or staff were injured. Firefighters were on the scene from about 3:00 am to 7:00 pm. It is believed a circuit breaker in the building failed, causing the fire.
KidsPeace is a private charity that serves children and teens. Services offered at their various locations include behavioral and psychiatric services, residential group homes, foster care services, juvenile justice programs, and alternative education for those who struggle in their school of origin.
Mark Stubis, a spokesperson for KidsPeace, was complimentary when he spoke about the staff that dealt with the incident, saying: “Fortunately our people reacted quickly and very well. The alarm went off, the sprinkler system started working and the local fire departments put out the fire. Our warmest thanks go to the local fire departments.”
Stubis also spoke about the upcoming difficulties the center will face as it begins the restoration process: “Our biggest challenge now is getting clean drinking water.”
Lehighvalleylive.com also reports the building that housed the youth not only suffered extensive fire damage, but also significant water damage in several parts of the building as a result of the sprinkler system.
Flint, Michigan has an epidemic of empty foreclosed homes that are in line to be demolished in October. One home that was unlike the others with this fate had one difference: someone was living in it.
The Washington Post raised this question: “If a fire destroys a home that doesn’t really belong to anyone and is worth next to nothing, does it matter?”
It is estimated that 25% of vacant homes are intentionally set on fire. What is the way to prevent fires in vacant homes according to the NFPA? Prevent the vacancy of the homes by having homeowners in them.
Currently, if a home is foreclosed, it may be occupied by the homeless, drug dealers, or those looking to congregate. It is reported that most of the home fires started in vacant homes are caused by vandals or unsheltered individuals looking to stay warm and fed.
When firefighters began to find people in the so-called vacant homes, they began to wonder what was going on-they thought no one was inside. They then began to anticipate finding dwellers within vacant homes they responded to and began to assess the fires and how they should be fought.
Several areas in Kentucky have lost the use of major means of communications and electricity due to the severe winter storms the state experienced. A state of emergency was declared, allowing FEMA to step in and provide assistance to the state devastated by severe ice and snowstorms. Areas of the state have lost electricity, telephone and radio service, and water services.
61 counties are receiving federal assistance as emergency generators, prepared meals, water, and truckloads of fuel are being provided to the state of Kentucky. Find more information about Kentucky’s state of emergency on FEMA’s website.
