Many Injured as Deadly Storms Strikes in Alabama
January 23, 2012
At least three people lost their lives and dozens of others were hurt when a tornado struck in Jefferson County Alabama near Birmingham early Monday morning. Some of the injured have been hospitalized but the county Emergency Management Agency have not yet released just how many.
The early morning tornado damage has not yet been estimated in dollars because the focus is now on search and rescue. The damage however is being described as “extensive”. Two of the people who were killed were in Cedar Point which was a town that was especially hard hit by the 3:30am storm that caught most off surprise – especially in the month of January as tornado activity is untypical during this month.
Forecasters are calling for heavy thunderstorms today (Jan 23) with winds in excess of 50 miles per hour for the area. The bad weather will slow search and rescue efforts. Officials in Jefferson County say that they will “do whatever it takes” to look for victims in damaged homes and other buildings irregardless of how bad the weather becomes.
Thousands of people in Arkansas are without power as that state also had tornadoes on the ground Monday morning. Forecasters are warning that heavy thunderstorms and tornadoes can do further damage throughout Monday. A twister ripped through an area near Fordyce – a small community an hour and a half south of Little Rock Sunday night, doing damage to homes and knocking down trees and power lines as it moved through.
Alabama’s governor Robert Bentley has declared a state of emergency so that funding is made available to aid communities which have damaged. It may take several days to put a dollar amount on exactly how much damage was caused. It also may be days until many of the tens of thousands of people now without power have their power restored. There are many reports of power lines down in Jefferson County and several surrounding counties.
In the northeastern portion of the country, a quick moving storm system stretching from mid-Pennsylvania eastward dumped twelve inches of snow over the weekend, causing power outages and hazardous driving conditions. In the upper Midwest, freezing rain over the weekend has made roads and sidewalks slippery from south Minnesota into Michigan. This storm activity has resulted in many students having Monday off from school as it was deemed too dangerous to put school buses on the roads.
Hiring A Company To Help With Hoarding Cleanup
January 16, 2012
It is important that you choose the right company to help with hoarding cleanup. Most cleaning companies offer this service but finding the right one to deal with is very important. If you know the requirements you should have before hiring then it will help you with getting the best results. Make sure you take the time to determine your cleanup requirements and speak with the company to make sure they can effectively handle the task.
The main issue with hoarding cleanup is that there are often items of sentimental or actual value that are hidden somewhere in the mess. If you decide to hire a company to help clean up this mess then you will want to consider the items that may get lost in the process. If you make note of the items that you wish to keep then the company will put these aside for you. The company you hire should be reliable enough to sort through everything and put aside valuables such as fine jewelry, electronics, and money. You should provide the company with a list of valuables (such as photo albums, jewelry, etc.) that must be kept so nothing of major importance is lost in the cleanup.
The best thing you can do is speak with the company that you are thinking about hiring. They should be more than willing to discuss which items should be set aside. The company should also be willing to work alongside with you if you wish to oversee the cleanup process and possibly aid in the sorting of certain items. It is a good idea to be there for the whole process as there may be certain items that you did not think about which would have gotten thrown out otherwise. When someone becomes a serious hoarder they may have valuable items that were buried in a pile in their room many years ago so it could be difficult to remember everything.
The final thing that you should consider when hiring a company to help with hoarding cleanup is the cost of the service. You should make the effort to contact multiple cleaning companies and find the best price possible. If you can find any reviews on the companies you are considering then check them to determine which offers the best service for a reasonable price. Lastly, keep in mind that the cost of hoarding cleanup varies tremendously by situation so getting an on-site estimation on how much it will cost would be very helpful.
Correcting the Damaging Effects of Snow to Your Home
December 27, 2011
Home maintenance is something that all homeowners have to pay extra attention to. Your home is there to provide you shelter, but you need to make sure that you’re also giving it the attention that it needs. Proper and regular home maintenance will ensure that your home lasts a long time, and that it will more or less be in the condition that it was when you first bought it.
Home maintenance is needed because over time, a lot of things will affect the physical appearance of your house. The material that it was built with will naturally depreciate and go through wear and tear, but other elements like weather will contribute to possibly damaging your house. If you maintain your home regularly, this will lessen the effects that the weather can do to it. This is especially true when winter comes, because it’s extra challenging to deal with the damaging effects of snow.
Snow is something that people look forward to, because it signals that winter has finally arrived. Even if it’s freezing cold, snow brings warm memories of snow fights and skiing and roasting marshmallows in a warm fire. However, snow can also be a nuisance, especially if it becomes uncontrollable. Snow is also quite challenging to deal with when it comes to home maintenance, because it causes a lot of things that can be potentially damaging to your home. This is the reason why as a homeowner you should be extra cautious when winter comes, and you should also make sure that you are equipped with the right tools and techniques to deal with all that snow.
Home Maintenance Tips
What you have to remember about snow is that it can mess with your ventilation and humidifiers. It can cause ice dams on your rooftop, which can lead to messy leaks and roof damage. Excessive condensation on windows and glass panes can also cause damage. Here are a few home maintenance tips that you can take note of every time winter arrives:
• Make sure your roof is well ventilated to prevent ice dams and icicles from forming.
• Regularly use a shovel to clear your driveway and walkway of ice. You can use rock salt to prevent slippery paths.
• Make sure your vents and gas meters are clear of ice.
• Regularly check drains and make sure you clean them.
• Clean your humidifier and ventilation system filters.
Preparedness is Key
It’s clear that when it comes to correcting the potentially damaging effects of snow in your home, preparedness is critical. You shouldn’t wait for the snow to cause irreversible damage, because there are several ways to prevent it. In case you’re really caught unprepared and some damage is done, it’s best to get in touch with the professionals and seek their advice as to how to correct the damage. You can prevent the damage from happening, but when it happens it’s best to leave it to those who know how to correct it properly.
Great Plains Deadly Snowfall Halting Traffic
December 20, 2011
A large snowstorm rolled into the Great Plains Monday, dropping heavy snow and bringing with it high winds. The storm has made roadways icy and has put many people’s holiday travel plans in jeopardy.
Two were killed in Colorado when a vehicle left an icy highway. At least one storm-related death is being reported in Texas. From New Mexico to the panhandle of Texas and northern regions of Kansas, blizzard-like weather has road workers on high alert and travelers exiting early to find cover from the storm. Snow fell at one and one half inches per hour in northern Oklahoma where many residents have already decided (or have been forced) to miss work Tuesday due to extreme low visibility and hazardous drifting snow.
A portion of I-24 was closed in New Mexico north of Santa Fe.State Police there report that they have received a very high number of distress calls from motorists stuck on back roads. People in Clayton, NM say that they do not recall such a massive snow storm there since the mid 1970s when cows had to be air-lifted via helicopters and the National Guard was summoned to help.
Authorities in Texas have reported that nearly 100 people have been rescued from their vehicles by the National Guard as shelters were being opened to provided those stranded with a place to ride out the nasty weather. Many people living in the Great Plains states who were planning on doing long-distance traveling by car have been forced to delay their holiday plans. The pre-winter storm has put a halt to any long distance traveling – at least for early this week as highways and rural roads in the region are a mess.
The deadly snowstorm that struck the nation’s heartland is moving eastward. The mid-Mississippi Valley is expected to be hit with areas of rain, freezing rain and snow as well as with possible thunderstorms. Blizzard warnings are forecasting snow accumulations of up to eighteen inches in the Plains and in regions further east as the massive storm barrels its way across the country.
In Texas, flights were canceled Monday afternoon at the Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport Monday although things are expected to get back to normal by Tuesday morning. To the north in Oklahoma, the roads and highways were completely packed with snow or covered in ice, making them extremely hazardous. Officials there were warning people to stay at home and to only venture out in the case of “extreme emergency” due to the declining roadway conditions.
Southern Storms Leave New Path Of Destruction This Week
November 18, 2011
Southern storms that originated from the Deep South before the daybreak on Wednesday claimed at least six lives and injured dozens. A powerful storm system spawned several tornadoes as it moved through the Southeast during the day.
A potent tornado-inciting storm system flattened homes and killed three people as it moved through the southern parts of Rock Hill, South Carolina on Wednesday.
A number of tornado sightings were reported from Louisiana. Reports of suspected tornadoes were also received from Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina. Several homes, buildings and other structures were damaged by the storm. The storm downed power lines at different places leaving thousands of people without electricity. Many trees were also downed by the storm.
A possible tornado killed three people and injured five in South Carolina when it passed through a rural community located close to Rock Hill, about 20 miles in the south of Charlotte, N.C. A man lost his life in north Georgia when a tree fell over his vehicle. According to the authorities, a child and an adult were also killed in central North Carolina.
A likely twister shattered many trees and destroyed several mobile homes at a couple of housing parks situated close to Auburn University, in eastern Alabama.
As per Don McKinnon, Emergency Director Jones County, some persons were trapped for a short time as trees fell on the houses in southeastern Mississippi. Mobile homes in the area were lifted off their foundations. Altogether, 15 people got injured across the region.
Ten people were hurt when a suspected tornado swept through a region in the south of Lexington, N.C. The tornado destroyed a building and damaged several other structures and left thousands without power.
Weather forecasters stated that a cold front extending from the Gulf through the Northeast was responsible for the drop in temperatures. In certain regions, temperatures dropped into the 50s from the low 70s. Wind gusts of up to 30 mph were also recorded.
In Alabama, several areas reported the damage caused by the storm. An old woman was taken to the hospital after she got injured when a tree fell on her house in Sumter County, which is located in the west-central region of the state.
A likely tornado passed through a neighborhood in Houma, Sothern Louisiana. A home in the locality was splintered in the event. Crews were seen cleaning up debris nearby a school after the storm. Workers of the Red Cross were also dispatched to assess the damage caused by the storm.
Many in South Florida Affected by Flooding
November 1, 2011
Following upward of a foot of rainfall over the weekend, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and other communities in South Florida are slowing beginning to recover from flooding. Much of South Florida is swamped with roads and yards looking like lakes and many homes and garages having many inches of water inside.
The South Florida Water Management District handles the region’s flood control system. It has lowered many canals in the area and has been ensuring that pumps and flood gates are operating as they should. However, the water has been very slow in draining off many areas such as in Miami Beach and Oakland Park. Many streets are still awash despite the fact that the rains have eased up since the weekend.
This is supposed to be South Florida’s dry season. However, this was the 3rd weekend in a row in October which consisted of heavy rainfall leaving many residents wondering why their yards look like lakes. In Oakland Park, water inside several homes and businesses was knee-deep, leaving bewildered residents and business owners left to face cleaning up extensive water damage. Even though Oakland Park began preparing for the weekend rainfall early by clearing storm drains, the more than six inches of rain that fell during high tide caused severe flooding on the already-saturated ground.
The American Red Cross opened an assistance center in Fort Lauderdale to help those people who had to leave their flooded homes. The center is to stay open until further notice. Fort Lauderdale Beach took the brunt of the rains as over twelve inches feel. Coconut Grove did not fare much better as it got nearly 11 inches followed by Palmetto Bay with nearly 9 inches.
Officials in Broward County are warning residents to practice extreme caution as floodwater may contain raw sewage. People are being told to throw away food items which may have come in contact with contaminated water and not to walk through floodwater as it is not safe to do so. Many flood restoration teams were busy at work Monday throughout South Florida helping those affected get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible.
Even though the majority of South Florida has good drainage via a network of canals, storm drains can easily back up during periods of heavy rains. Water-weary residents throughout South Florida are hoping that November is a dry month so that they can complete their cleanup tasks and see their lives return to normal once again.
Tips to Winterize Your Windows
October 4, 2011
When it comes to protecting your home from external elements, one of the important tasks is to get it ready to withstand the extreme cold conditions of the winter months. And winterizing your windows is a vital part of this whole process. As per the U.S. Department of Energy, energy-efficient windows can bring down costs of heating or cooling your home by 20 to 30%.
Following are a few tips to help you to winterize your windows so that you can pass through the winter season without any property damage.
Examine the Window Caulking
Caulking put around your windows helps in keeping the chilly breezes out of your home. So the first thing you are required to do before the winter sets in is to inspect the caulking of all the windows in your house and make certain that they are in good condition. If you observe any spots of wear and tear, get the caulking tube to mend them. You can easily purchase the caulking tube from a nearby home-improvement store. Bad or poor caulking allows the cold air to enter your home, which makes your heater to overwork in order to maintain the desired room temperature, thereby resulting in increased electricity bill.
Install Energy-Efficient Windows
In case you are contemplating about replacing the whole window, you should consider getting the ones that conserve energy. Installing energy-efficient double or triple pane windows help in retaining the heat within the house, which reduces the workload on your heater. This in turn reduces your electricity bill considerably.
Prevent Window Condensation
Window condensation during winter can cause damage to the surrounding wood or drywall. This may lead into paint problems, mold growth, and even result in decaying of the wooden frame. To tackle the problem of window condensation you need to control the humidity level in your home. Opening a window will allow the moisture to escape into the atmosphere from your room. Running exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen also helps in lowering the level of humidity in your home.
Cover Your Windows with a Shrink Wrap
Covering your windows with a shrink wrap provides additional insulation. You can install a shrink wrap covering on the windows of your spare room, garage, store room, attic and other places that are seldom used.
Paint Your Windows Trim
Painting the trim of your windows provides extra insulation and additional protection from the nasty cold weather. It also makes your windows less susceptible to damage.
Cleanup after Hurricane Floods
September 21, 2011
Hurricanes are the biggest and continual type of natural disasters that have been consistently hitting the US. The coastline and the Midwest are always at risk; and from the recent hurricanes like Katrina, Irene etc; we have realized that floods are one of the most dangerous repercussions of a hurricane attack. After the attack subsides, it is the job to clean up and make the place habitable again. The cleanup has to be more than just superficial; here is how we can go about doing it:
1. Wait for the clearance given by the emergency officials. Once you get the green signal, you can go back to your home or office. You need to get mandatory permission from the authorities in the area because you start the cleanup. The permission is for your own good because if the area is still at risk, there is no point cleaning it up.
2. Put on protective gear like rubber boots, disposable face mask, long pants and long sleeved shirts, disposable face mask etc. You should keep your skin away from the contact of flood waters. Drink bottled water and remain hydrated, so that you are energetic as well.
3. Get an electrician to look for faulty power lines. Also some of the appliances may have developed short-circuit issues, so it is better to get them checked before you use them. Similarly, get your gas appliances checked because there may be leakage problems.
4. It is important to click pictures or take a video of the damages, which can be used as solid proof if you are claiming for insurance.
5. You u will find two types of items, ones that can be retained and the others that need to be disposed. For instance, carpets, floorboards, furniture, mattresses etc may have water damage, so the best thing is to get rid of them. Also, there are items like some clothing that may need to be correctly laundered. So, you can transport these items in plastic bags to laundries where they can be cleaned and disinfected. You can also clean the items with a disinfectant.
6. Due to the flood waters that may have accumulated in the home, the area may stink. So it is better to run a dehumidifier and open the windows. Keep large fans for smooth air flow. Make sure that the area is dried properly.
7. Once you have removed the items from the floor, walls, ceiling etc, you need to clean the hard surfaces like the tiles, walls, ceilings etc. You can use a bleach solution or disinfectant to clean the areas properly. With a water extractor, you can remove the water that has been pooled in low-lying areas and basements.
New Jersey Cleaning Up From Irene in Spite of New Flooding
September 1, 2011
Many New Jersey residents entered their third day without power Wednesday as utility crews work to restore electricity to a third of a million homes and businesses. Downed trees and flooding in Monmouth, Ocean, Bergen, Somerset and Milddlesex counties have been slowing restoration and cleanup efforts.
Flood levels rose in the city of Paterson yesterday while most areas have seen the water recede. There were many boat rescues occurring there Tuesday as many people did not heed evacuation orders or were too slow in getting out of their homes. In Passaic County, over 1,600 people were evacuated since the storm swept through the area with the main priority being to get senior citizens out of their homes. However, many roads and bridges have been closed due to damage which has made these efforts more difficult for the county’s Office of Emergency Management workers.
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will be visiting flood damaged Lincoln Park in Morris County late Wednesday afternoon, which is located in the northern part of New Jersey. The raging Passaic River hit its crest Tuesday, bringing new misery to towns such as Lodi and Paterson. The river crested at just over 14 feet, its 2nd highest level in history, which sent water gushing into dozens of communities and flooding scores of homes.
Many New Jersey residents are wondering how they can request and receive assistance from FEMA. The governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie must submit a disaster request to the agency along with an estimated cost of the damages. This is expected to take several days as engineers and crews need time to assess damages done to bridges, roads, dams and other structures. While waiting for the word from the feds, residents are being told to take photos or videos of any damages caused by Irene before starting to clean up their properties.
Governor Christie said Wednesday that the hurricane has caused tens of millions of dollars worth of damages to his state and that it will need help from the federal government. Thousands of people are still stuck living in temporary hosing after being forced from their flooded homes, including 3,000 more who had to flee their high rise apartments.
State officials are warning home and business owners in the state not to fall victim to unscrupulous people who are seeking to take advantage of them during their time of despair. Its best to find the services of a professional restoration contractor, who provides estimates in writing with a job scope.
Tropical Storm Irene on Path to Florida
August 22, 2011
If you live in Florida and have not yet prepared for the 2011 hurricane season, the time to act is now. Tropical storm Irene is now in the Lesser Antilles and it is on a path towards Florida. Once the system passes over Cuba, officials are concerned that it will gain power from the very warm waters and make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane. Irene could make it to Florida by Thursday night or Friday of this week which means that it is time to make an emergency kit and time to secure your property. Residents as far south as Miami, up the Treasure Coast (Fort Pierce, Port St Lucie) and into Georgia should be on high alert for the upcoming storm which is likely to carry wind gusts of 80+ miles per hour and localized heavy rain which could lead to flooding conditions.
Irene is showing every indication that it will become the year’s first hurricane. The National Hurricane Center expects Irene to reach hurricane strength today as it reaches the southern coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Officials in Florida are urging residents not to be complacent and to inspect their homes and businesses and to install storm windows. It is also important to keep yard free of debris as small items can become missiles in high winds. It is essential to cut down dead tree limbs and to remove weak or damaged trees. If you do not have shutters on your home, you can make some out of plywood and install then with anchors. Garage doors should be braced and families should devise emergency plans in case evacuations are ordered.
Tropical storms can pack winds of up to 73 miles an hour and the worst hurricanes can feature winds in excess of 150 miles per hour. This means that roofs should be inspected and repaired if necessary and those homes in low lying and flood-prone areas should be readied for the possibility of flooding. Many homeowners in Florida have not done all they could to prevent property damage caused by tropical storms and hurricanes which struck in the past and the consequences of being complacent can be devastating and even deadly. Now is definitely the time to be ready for tropical storms and hurricanes. Everyone living in Florida should be keeping a close eye on Irene. They also should become familiar with their community’s emergency plans.
