Hurricane Preparedness Week Kicks Off
The last week in May brings a plan to raise awareness of the potential dangers from hurricanes and tropical storms across the count ry. The National Weather Service, in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are working in conjunction to raise awareness and planning for disaster response to hurricanes and tropical storms. The week of preparation coincides with the years first potential tropical storm (Alex) which is hovering off of the Carolina coasts presently and could make landfall as early as next week.
The awareness week is centered around five major components
History
Hurricane Hazards
Forecast
Prepare
Act
The potential for loss of life and significant property damage make hurricanes one of natures largest forces of destruction. One of the forecasting changes this year is the elimination of predicting probability on a low, medium or high level and a new percentage based prediction system that breaks down the potential of hurricanes in ten percent increments. The potential aftermath of damage is measured on scales of one to five for hurricanes, which measures the speed of wind at the eye of the storm. The Safir-Simpson method is used to categorize winds as low as 74 miles per hour and upwards of 155 milers per hour (considered a class 5 hurricane). Recent class 5 hurricanes included (Wilma, Katrina, Andrew) and collectively contributed to hundreds of billions of dollars worth of damages.
The major problems that a large hurricane can create are high winds, storm surges and flooding. Depending on the geographic location of the area that has the potential for a hurricane to strike, these damages all carry different risks and strategic defense planning to help save lives and mitigate property damages. One of the key focuses from the Hurricane Preparedness Week is to provide some guidance for homeowners and business owners to help pre-plan the disaster response.
Develop a family plan
Create a disaster supply kit
Have an escape route and safe destination place to go
Secure your home or business
Have a plan for your pets
Pre-planning a hurricane helps to reduce injuries and damages. From boarding up your property to placing flood barriers and sand bags, every possible method to reduce the fallout from a hurricane and its destruction should be followed.
Florida, North and South Carolina on alert for years first tropical storm
The years first tropical storm “Alex” is due to hit land early next week as far south as Florida and up to the Virginia coastline. Weather experts are uncertain if the tropical storm will bring severe weather as the storm mass is still hundreds of miles away from landfall (presently just north of the Bahamas). The years first tropical storm arriving in the month of May is somewhat unexpected, but not entirely uncommon. The subtropical strom is a combination of high a low pressure systems colliding, resulting in the first true tropical storm of 2010. The potential for large degrees of rainfall or high winds will need to be closely monitored over the next 24-48 hours, but most meteorologists are not sounding the alarm bells just yet. A subtropical storm has the potential to carry high winds, but generally they are not to the degree of a large hurricane and the major difference is extremely important to property owners. Hurricanes historically have their highest possibility of occurring in the months of July through September, so a large tropical storm in May is a bit unusual.
Residents in Nashville TN shift from cleanup to rebuilding
For thousands of property owners in Tennessee the cleanup from the historical floods from early May have ended. The new focus for homeowners and building managers is rebuilding their properties in what is likely to be a lengthy reconstruction process. Relief from FEMA to severly damaged properties has begun to flow into neighborhoods throughout the region as residents hope to start repairing and rebuilding homes that have been stripped to the foundation as a part of the flood restoration cleanup.
Thousands of properties were so badly damaged due to the flood waters that the only part left from their properties is the shell of the foundation and the interior structural walls. Removed from many flood damaged properties are all of the contents, drywall, carpeting and in some cases the flooring. Rebuilding these properties will take cooridinated efforts of many contractors who will combine to rebuild the storm damaged homes. One of the items that FEMA encourages property owners to do is have their electrical system checked to ensure the flood damages did not cause any safety issues. In addition, properties that were not properly dried out should have their homes inspected for lingering moisture that could lead towards mold growth down the road.
With projections as high a one billion dollars, the State of Tennessee will be a hotbed from contractors all accross the country who are arriving to help rebuild damaged properties. Consumers who are interviewing restoration contractors should ask about licensing qualification, find out if the contractor carries adequate insurance, review the contractors better business reviews and customer testimonials. It is also recomended to find out if the contractro has been bonded in the State of Tennessee and what their payment schedule is for the course of the rebuilding process. It is not advisable to pay for the entire reconstruction process upfront, rather you shoudl agree to a scope of work and a payment timeline with the general contractor that is overseeing your rebuilding project.
Jarvis team members raise funds for Relay For Life and American Cancer Society
May 15, 2010 – Jarvis team members ascended on Lanse Creuse High School in Mt Clemens Michigan to help raise money for the American Cancer Society through the Relay For Life program. Jarvis team members have been participating in fundraising events since early March for the event on Saturday. This year, Jarvis team members volunteered to dress as Barney and Wilma, of the Flintstones to partipate in the “Relay Race” in addition to grilling up Italian sausage and fruit smoothies to keep the Relay Walkers full of energy. The daylong event drew thousands of participants and volunteers who shared a common drive, to help raise money for cancer preventions. Special thanks to Matt Bajis, a project manager with Jarvis who managed the fundraising efforts for Team Jarvis this year and all volunteers and donors who came out for this great cause!
Metro Detroit and Southeastern Michigan under flood advisory
Heavy rains are greeting residents across the State of Michigan on Thursday with large amounts of rainfall expected and flood advisory warnings going into effect for many counties throughout the State. Forecasters are predicting anywhere from 2-4 inches of rainfall in what is expected to be a day long battle with severe weather. The heavy rainfall is following a week of in climate weather for the Great Lakes region which has already experienced a large accumulation of rain waters from storms earlier in the week.
Heavy rainfall can quickly lead to flash flooding, conditions which can prove to be extremely dangerous in a matter of minutes. Severe flooding from storm damage wreaked havoc on areas in the Northeast in early March and in the Nashville Tennessee area as recently as two weeks ago, so the images of flooding devastation should be fresh on the minds of all property owners in Michigan. The heavy rainfall is particularly concerning in areas that are in close proximity to rivers or streams that have the potential to quickly rise and crest beyond their normal boundaries, resulting in severe property damages along the way.
flood damaged car photos
Michigan is a state that features many homes with basements and crawl spaces which are more susceptible to the damages caused by heavy rainfall. Sump pump are often working non stop during a heavy rainfall to divert flood waters from the foundation of a home back in to the water main lines. One of the major challenges property owners face with severe storms is that sump pumps can breakdown, which quickly leaves their property defense against flooding in jeopardy.
Flooded basements will occur in many communities in Michigan today. Property owners who face a wet of flooded basement should react quickly in trying to get the water damage cleaned up to help reduce the possibility of long term damages. Depending on the extent of flooding damage, the water may need to be extracted with a pump. Once the water is extracted, the attention will turn towards cleanup efforts including proper drying. Utilizing dehumidifiers and air blowers will help with circulation and moisture removal, essential to prevent mold growth.
Michigan has experienced a relatively minor winter and spring to date with severe weather. The extent of damages caused from today’s storms is too early to predict. The number one issue with flooding should be personal safety. Use caution when driving into a street that appears to be flooded over as cars can stall out in as little as six inches of water.
