24 Aug

How to Prepare your Home for Hurricane Damage

Hurricane season in the United States is a time that reminds many of us to be prepared for natural disasters. Hurricanes are not only dangerous because of their high winds and heavy rain, but they can also cause extensive and costly damage to homes. In fact, some of the most damaging hurricanes, like Hurricane Katrina, have caused billions of dollars of repairs. This article will give you 11 steps on how to prepare your home for hurricane damage.

#1 Know Your Risk Zone

A hurricane is a storm of extraordinary power that can cause great damage and loss of life. The most destructive hurricanes often form in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Eastern Pacific Ocean from June to November. These storms usually develop from intense tropical waves near Africa or off the coast.

#2 Prepare your hurricane kit

Get a hurricane kit ready and be sure to have batteries, water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, flashlights, and radios on hand in case there is an emergency. You will also want to make sure you are prepared with things like cash and important documents that you won’t want to replace after the storm. Ensure that items like social security cards, birth certificates, and insurance policies are stored in water-tight containers.

#3 Know what’s covered

Make sure you have the right insurance. You will need to make a note of what types of coverage your home and belongings currently have, as well as any other items that may not be covered like water damage. If you are renting or leasing your residence, contact your landlord about their policy and find out if they offer renters insurance. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, it’s likely your insurance won’t cover flood damage caused by storms. This will be a separate add-on you’ll need to include in your policy.

#4 Take care of outdoor items in your yard.

Mulch the ground around trees and fruit plants, protecting them from gashes caused by wind or heavy rain that may occur during a storm.
Stock up on sandbags to help prevent water damage in cases of flooding, as well as other emergency supplies.
Store all items that are currently outside, like bikes, grills, and furniture. These items should be brought into the garage or basement to keep them safe from severe weather.
Trim branches high up on trees so they don’t cause damage if heavy winds cause them to break and fall on your roof.

#5 Protect your windows and doors

Windows should also be covered with storm shutters if you have them. If you don’t have storm shutters, consider using plywood to nail onto your windows. Windows may shatter in high winds or debris flying into them. Not only will this be costly, it’s also dangerous. Cover vulnerable areas of the house such as air conditioning units, vents, pipes and chimneys by putting boards over them to keep rain out of them.

#6 Protect your roof

Make sure that your roof is protected from any flying debris that may cause your roof to be punctured or torn. If you have a garden in front of your house, make sure the plants are not blocking windows and doors. Plants can also act as an anchor for windblown objects such as heavy branches or trees. Remove them if they’re possible hazards before hurricane season.

#7 Inspect the exterior of your house

After storing items in your yard and protecting your roof, check for loose boards or bricks which may cause flooding or other damage to your home.

#8 Have an escape route in case of flooding

Make sure you have the appropriate supplies on hand just in case your house becomes flooded or unsafe during a hurricane. Put evacuation plans together with friends and family so everyone knows what to do if they need to evacuate their homes for any reason

#9 Take photos before the storm hits

Be sure to take photos of everything inside your home before the storm hits for insurance purposes. Many home insurance policies cover damage from winds. Remember, flooding insurance is an add-on to most policies.

#10 Put together an emergency evacuation kit

Put together an emergency kit of items your family may need in case they have to evacuate their home. This includes food, water, first-aid supplies and any medications you or anyone else in the household takes on a regular basis.

#11 Create an evacuation plan

Make sure your family has a plan for where to meet if you are evacuated from your home. Know multiple routes to reach your destination in case of flooding or debris blocking roads.

Preparing your home for hurricane damage can save you thousands of dollars in repairs

These tips will help you prepare your home for hurricane season and minimize damage. Remember, it’s critical to have a plan in place to protect your home, your family members, and yourself during hurricane season.

01 Oct

Securing your home from the flood: 5 Flood safety tips

Securing your home from the flood: 5 Flood safety tips

Guest post by Jack Billington

Flooding in the United States is the most common natural disaster and is one of the few natural disasters that affect every American in every state. The definition of a flood is an overflow of water on land which is usually dry. This means that a flood can come from natural sources or man-made sources, and these include

Flooding includes every water-borne danger from overflowing rivers to rain cascading down hillsides and includes man-made flooding disasters such as broken water mains and clogged gutters. Whether you live in a natural flood-prone zone or not, a flood can happen, and will most probably happen at least once in your lifetime.

Here is a list of the 5 basics that you need to consider securing your home from a flood.

Clean Gutters and Drains

Whether you live in your own home or an apartment building, you must ensure that the gutters and drains are all clean. These small devices are used to allow the water and snow are accumulating during rains and storms to flow freely away from your home. When a gutter or drain is clogged the accumulating water will find the fastest route away from the area, and that usually includes a pathway through your property. For higher positioned drains and gutters this means watering entering from above, trickling down into your home, or for ground-level waters to seep in through the walls or windows around your home, as well as up into your basement or underground floor levels.

Street drains are also a major issue since they are flowing public water amounts accumulated from many zones, as such, a blocked street drain will affect more than one home nearby. Saying this leads us to recommend you check the drainage around your home, especially if you live near a river or in a rainy area, and make sure you have flood barriers available.

Assure Roof Protection

A roof is a construct designed to keep the elements out of your home and retain the heat, light, dryness, and integrity of your interior. As such a roof needs to be checked every year, especially before the rainy and snowy seasons. Even the smallest of holes or cracks in a roof will allow water to seep in and affect other parts of the internal structure, leading to larger issues, such as damp electricity line. However, a hole in the roof or a gutter that is total blocked will cause waters to cascade into your property, and that is something you must avoid. A simple walk over your roof is usually easy to perform to check the integrity of this house seal. I also suggest you perform an indoor roof check during daylight hours to see if you can see any light coming in from the roof. This usually is apparent in homes without insulation. So, if you don’t have insulation, check inside as well as outdoors. Make sure your roof is intact.

Local Threat levels

Consider where you live. Do you live in a flood-prone zone, where rising river overflows regularly, or by the sea close to the water line? Perhaps you live in the city in a high rise, or in the mountains? Is your home high above the ground, or under a hill or even below the ground level? Knowing the dangers of your area, from mild to extreme enable you to prepare accordingly. Some homes will require flood bags deployed from the onset of the rainy seasons to others that require you just maintain clean gutters and drains. You might need to deploy flood barriers to protect against seasonal flooding.

Flood Insurance

This is not a protective measure from flooding; it’s a protective measure from the aftereffects that flood brings. There are different types of water level insurances, ranging from natural flooding to damage from water. You require full coverage if you live in a flood-prone zone, and there the premium will be high. If you live in a dry location or a high rise in a city, consider standard flooding coverage the premium is low but well worth paying for against the risks of losing furniture through water damage.

Always check the insurance coverage properly, this means read what is covered by the policy, in some instances a sewage overflow will not be covered it does not originate from natural flooding. So, take heed, insurance coverage is notorious for double and triple speak, and the words are designed to be confusing, obtuse and debatable in court. When taking out insurance, make sure you have an exact and up to date list of your property items, and if you want to be extra careful, take a photo of every room in your home once in a while.

Power Down

My final tip is being aware that flooding is a major issue when linked to electricity. These two items like to dance the tango, and if you stand in their way, you will be hit hard. This means, that when there is a flood issue in your home, whether it’s from the roof, the walls, the basement, or from natural flooding, turn off the electricity at the mains. This is a major issue and lifesaver, in this case, just make sure you have separate heating and lighting options around the house during flooding.

Conclusions

There is no ultimate protection against a natural flooding disaster other than getting out of the area in time, and of course, deploying flood barriers, securing all your electronic devices and turning off the electricity in time. If you live in a non-natural flood-prone zone, just make sure you follow the basic precautionary checks and, in all instances, no matter where you live, take out water damage insurance.

Author’s bio: Jack is a former officer. Now, he works as a home & personal security expert. Also, time after time, he conducts shooting classes. He has 15 years of professional experience in home security improvement. On his blog, he write articles on home & personal safety, guns & gun safe accessories, emergency preparedness, etc.

08 Feb

Worst flood disasters in US History

The US has seen it’s share of natural disasters throughout it’s history, and flooding seems to be one of the most destructive and common types of natural disasters possible. Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it (or at least that’s what my history teacher always said). Here’s a quick list of the 5 worst flood disasters in United States history:

Worst Flood Disasters in the United States:

Get a flood insurance quote

Mississippi River Flood 1993:

This devastating flood occurred between April and October of 1993. A total flooded area of nearly 30,000 square miles and for a duration of 81 days, this flood caused 50 deaths and ~$15 billion dollars in damage.

Learn more: http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2070796_2070798_2070783,00.html

Big Thompson Canyon, Colorado, 1976

This flash flood occurred in the Big Thompson Canyon in the mountains west of Loveland, Colorado. A very sudden and large wall of water rushed down the canyon after a day of extremely heavy rains (12-14 inches) The water in the canyon was usually at a level of 18 inches, and this turned in to a 20 foot torrent that destroyed homes, roads and all infrastructure. 143 were killed and more than 150 were injured in this natural disaster. The costs were 35 million in damage and a loss of 418 homes, 52 businesses & 438 vehicles. Here’s a Denver Post archived article about the event.

Rapid City South Dakota, 1972

Floods are scary events, but even more scary when they occur in the dead of night. This flash flood killed 238 people and cost $165 million. Also referred to as the Black Hills Flood, this like the Big Thompson flood was caused by an extremely heavy amount of rain that fell over a short period of time ( 15 inches in only 6 hours) Estimates say over 1335 homes and 5,000 vehicles were destroyed.

Mississippi River Flood 1927

This event is largely considered to be the most destructive flooding event that ever happened in US history. Known as the Great MIssissippi Flood, the damage covered 27,000 square miles drenched with up to 30 feet of water. This event was the cause of the Federal government to create a gigantic system of floodways and levees. Estimates were 500 people dead and over 700,000 people were left homeless as a result of this disaster.

Boulder County Colorado 2013

Another flooding disaster that was the result of heavy rains, the flooding in 2013 in Boulder county left 200 miles and 17 counties flooded. 17 inches of rain within a few days fell, which is comparable to Boulder’s annual precipitation. This disaster caused $1 billion in damages and killed 8 people. Many smaller towns in and around the mountains were stranded for several days and required rescue from the national guard.

Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans 2005

No list of flood disasters would be complete without mentioning Hurricane Katrina. The most expensive natural disaster to ever happen in the United States, this hurricane and subsequent flooding leveled New Orleans and much of the Louisiana coast line, killing 1,800 and creating $81 billion dollars in damages. Over a decade later, the area still struggles to recover and many of the former residents never returned.

Taking a look back at the worst flood disasters in the US is important – and it’s important to ask yourself if you’re covered for a flooding disaster like this. Get a quote for flood insurance today.

15 Nov

Flood Preparedness

Floods are a real danger in our world, and one that most people don’t give a second thought to until they are literally knee deep in flood waters. Some floods are foreseen, such as an upcoming hurricane. But others, like the 2013 floods in Colorado, seemingly sprang out of nowhere after several days of extremely heavy rain created torrents in once quiet mountain streams. Floods can be devastating for their destruction to property and people’s lives, but there are a few things you can do to increase your flood preparedness.

Flood Preparedness 101

What is a flood?

Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may
happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop.

When do floods happen?

Flooding can occur during any season, but some areas of the country are at greater
risk at certain times of the year. Coastal areas are at greater risk for flooding during
hurricane season (i.e., June to November), while the Midwest is more at risk in the
spring and during heavy summer rains. Ice jams occur in the spring in the Northeast
and Northwest. Even the deserts of the Southwest are at risk during the late
summer monsoon season.

Where do floods occur?

Flooding can happen in any U.S. state or territory. It is particularly important to be
prepared for flooding if you live in a low-lying area near a body of water, such as a
river, stream, or culvert; along a coast; or downstream from a dam or levee.

How does flooding happen?

Flooding can occur in several ways, including the following.
– Rivers and lakes cannot contain excessive rain or snowmelt.
– Excessive rain or snowmelt cannot be fully absorbed into the ground.
– Waterways are blocked with debris or ice and overflow.
– Water containment systems break, such as levees, dams, or water or sewer
systems.
– Strong winds from tropical storms or hurricanes cause a storm surge by pushing
seawater onto land.
The speed and duration of flooding can vary significantly.
– Flooding can occur slowly as rain continues to fall for many days. This type of
flooding, sometimes called a slow-onset flood, can take a week to develop and can
last for months before floodwaters recede.
– Rapid-onset floods occur more quickly, typically developing within hours or days.
These types of floods usually occur in smaller watersheds experiencing heavy
rainfall, particularly in mountainous and urban areas, and the water usually recedes
within a few days.
– Some rapid-onset floods known as flash floods occur very quickly with little or no
warning, such as during periods of extremely heavy rain or when levees, dams,
ice jams, or water systems break. Densely populated areas are at a high risk for
flash floods. In urban areas, flash floods can fill underpasses, viaducts, parking
structures, low roads, and basements.
– The strong winds of a tropical cyclone or hurricane can push large amounts of
seawater up onto the land, causing a storm surge. A storm surge combines
with the ocean’s tide to produce a storm-tide surge. Storm-tide surges have
been registered as high as almost 35 feet above normal sea level and can cause
significant flooding across a large area. This generally occurs over a short period,
typically 4 to 8 hours, but in some areas, it can take much longer for the water to
recede to its pre-storm level.

The Impact of a flood

The physical destruction caused by flooding depends on the speed and level
of the water, the duration of the flood, terrain and soil conditions, and the built
environment (e.g., buildings, roads, and bridges).
– Flooding can cause fatalities and serious injuries for people who are trapped or
swept away by wading in, driving through, or boating across floodwaters.
– Transportation routes, power, water, gas, and other services may be disrupted.
– Commercial supplies and government support systems may be temporarily
unavailable.
– Drinking water supplies and wells may become polluted.
– Floodwaters can cause erosion, which can damage roads, bridge structures, levees,
and buildings with weak foundations, causing their collapse without warning. The
floodwaters may carry the worn-away mud, rocks, and other sediment.
– Landslides and mudslides can occur.
– Even a few inches of floodwater in a home can cause tens of thousands of dollars
in damage.

Flood-related injuries and deaths are often the result of individuals trapped in floodwaters. The best way to stay safe is to leave areas that flood and avoid floodwaters.

Steps to take for Flood Preparedness

Know your flood risk. Learn whether you live, work, or travel through areas
that are prone to flooding. To help communities understand their risk of flooding,
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) creates flood maps (Flood
Insurance Rate Maps, or FIRMs) to show the locations of high-risk, moderate-tolow
risk, and undetermined risk areas.

Practice an Emergency Plan

Practice how you will communicate with family members. In a dangerous
situation, your first thoughts will be the safety of your family and friends. In case you
are not together when authorities issue a flood watch or flood warning, practice how
you will communicate with each other. Remember that sending texts is often faster
than making a phone call. Keep important numbers written down in your wallet not
just in your phone. It is sometimes easier to reach people outside of your local area
during an emergency, so choose an out-of-town contact for all family members to call
or use social media. Decide where the members of your household will meet after the
flood. Visit www.ready.gov/make-a-plan for instructions on developing a Household
Communication Plan.

Store Life Saving Supplies

Store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate; know
in advance what else you will need to take. Take time now to make a list of the
things you would need or want to take with you if you had to leave your home quickly.
Store the basic emergency supplies in a “Go Bag” or other container. Be ready to
grab other essential items quickly before leaving. Remember to include specialized
items for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs such
as older adults, children, and those with Limited English Proficiency

Flood Preparedness During a Flooding Event

EVACUATE

– If authorities advise or order you to evacuate, do so immediately. Be sure to
remember the Five Ps of Evacuation: People, Prescriptions, Paper, Personal
Needs, and Priceless Items.
– If you are in the path of a slow-onset flood and there is time before you need to
evacuate, consider the following strategies.
✓Move items you want to protect to a higher floor.
✓Turn off gas, water, and electricity if you know how and can do it safely.
Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or you are standing in water.
✓Put sandbags around your property.

If Floodwater is present:

If you see floodwater on roads, walkways, bridges, and on the ground, do not
attempt to cross. The depth of the water is not always obvious and the roadbed
may be washed out under the water. Moving water has tremendous power. Six
inches of moving water has the potential to knock you off your feet, and a foot of
water can sweep a vehicle—even a large SUV—off of the road. Floodwaters can
contain rocks, mud, other debris, oil, gasoline, and even sewage. Be especially
cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers. For more information
on floodwater hazards, visit the NWS Turn Around Don’t Drown® program at
http://tadd.weather.gov.

If You are Trapped

If you do not leave before the flooding reaches your immediate area and you
are trapped, call 911 if possible. Give your location and explain your situation.

IN A BUILDING

– Go to the highest level of the building. Avoid basements and lower floors, but do
not climb into a closed attic as you may become trapped by rising floodwater.
– Go onto your roof only if necessary. Signal for help.

IN A VEHICLE

– If floodwater is blocking your evacuation route but you can turn around safely, turn
around and go to a building on high ground.
– If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay in the vehicle. If water is
rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on the roof.

OUTDOORS

– Move to higher ground and, if necessary, climb as high as possible on a sturdy object.

For a more complete Flood Preparedness Guide, please find the FEMA How to prepare for a flood pamphlet here.

DO YOU NEED FLOOD INSURANCE?

Fill out a quote form today and find out how Save Flood Insurance Agency Inc can get you covered for potential flooding disasters.

RESOURCES

If you would like more information, the following resources
may be helpful.
– American Red Cross, Repairing Your Flooded Home:
www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340135_file_
cont333_lang0_150.pdf

– FEMA Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House:
www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/725

– FEMA After a Flood: The First Steps:
www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3396

– FEMA Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House From
Flooding: www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/480

– FEMA Hurricane Sandy Issue Paper: Guidance for Turning the Power Back On:
www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/29788

– FEMA Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fact Sheet #1: Cleaning Flooded Buildings:
www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/31368?id=7128

– FEMA Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damage:
www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3729

– FloodSmart: www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart
– NWS Flood Safety Awareness: www.floodsafety.noaa.gov

– NWS Hurricane Flooding: A Deadly Inland Danger:
www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/InlandFlooding.pdf

– NWS NOAA River Forecast:
www.water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=bmx

– NWS The Hidden Danger: Low Water Crossing:
www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/TheHiddenDangerEnglish.pdf

– NWS Tropical Cyclone Inland Flooding:
www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/TropicalCycloneInlandFlooding.pdf

– NWS Turn Around Don’t Drown®:
www.nws.noaa.gov/os/water/tadd/tadd-resources.shtml#brochures

– Ready: www.Ready.gov/floods
– Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), DisasterSpecific
Resources: Annotated Bibliography:
www.samhsa.gov/dtac/dbhis/dbhis_specific_bib.asp#disaster
– USGS WaterAlert: http://maps.waterdata.usgs.gov/mapper/wateralert