Are You Ready For The Next Disaster: Make Your Property More Flood And Wind Resistant
HURRICANE INFORMATION
Hurricane season and the potential for considerable wind and flood damage begins in earnest June 1, so do not wait to make your home more hazard resistant.
It's important to begin with a plan. Walk around your home or business and take note of possible causes of damage or vulnerability. Contact your local emergency manager to find out about the 100-year flood levels and where you are in the floodplain.
Here are some tips from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s Mitigation experts.
Protect your home against flood damage
Raise Electrical Boxes, Major Appliances, and HVAC components at least one-foot above the 100-year flood level.
Circuit Breaker Boxes - Short circuits in flooded systems pose a significant fire danger. The likelihood of a flooded electrical system can be reduced by raising all electrical components.
Appliances - Washers and dryers can be elevated with pressure-treated lumber, or moved to a higher floor; and HVAC - Exterior HVAC equipment should be elevated by a professional contractor.
Anchor fuel tanks - When floodwaters move an unanchored tank, the supply line may tear. Additionally, filling and ventilation tubes need to be above flood level so that water cannot get inside the tank. Anchor inside and outside tanks with properly sized ground anchors. For safety's sake, consult local officials and building professionals about the best methods for anchoring fuel tanks.
Install sewer backflow valves - Flooding can cause sewer lines to back up into houses through drainpipes. Backflow valves are designed to block drainpipes temporarily and prevent flow into the house. Have a licensed plumber or contractor install the valves.
Reinforce Vulnerable Areas to Minimize Wind Damage
Strengthen Entry Doors and Windows - Install storm shutters over all exposed windows and glass surfaces. If replacing an entry door, use an approved, impact-tested door and install a dead bolt lock long enough to penetrate the 2X4 framing of the door. Also ensure the strike plate is installed with screws long enough to penetrate the door frame.
Brace garage doors - A garage door can be reinforced by adding braces across the back of the door and by strengthening the glider wheel tracks. If you are building a home, consider purchasing a garage door built to withstand high winds.
Gable End Walls - Anchor and brace the bottom of the gable end's triangular wall to the ceiling joists or ceiling framing. Strengthen the gable end wall studs and brace the top of the gable end wall by tying it to the rafters or tops of the trusses.
Keep Outdoor Gear from Becoming Windborne Missiles - Securely anchor all storage sheds and other outbuildings, either to a permanent foundation or with straps and ground anchors. Bolt outdoor furniture and barbecue grills to decks or patios, or attach them to ground anchors with cables or chains. Secure trash cans with cables or chains attached to ground anchors or to wood posts firmly embedded in the ground.
Trees and Landscaping Tips - Proper care of trees can also prevent storm damage. Plant trees at the correct depth by making sure the roots are at the soil surface. Trees planted too deep could snap off at the stem-girdled point during forceful winds. Avoid wounding trees by banging them with a lawn mower or cutting them with a weed trimmer. Wounds lead to decay, a condition that leads to storm-damaged trees. Prune trees to correct defects such as multiple leaders and weak branch attachments.
It is important to insure all reconstruction work meets state and county building codes. A professional homebuilder, architect, contractor, or building supply retailer may provide valuable information.
Go online to FEMA's "How To" series at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/howto/index.shtm or order copies by calling 800-480-252
U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans are the primary form of federal assistance for non-farm, private sector disaster losses. Disaster loans from SBA help homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and non-profit organizations fund repair and replacement of disaster damaged real and personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 or go online at www.sba.gov.
When disasters occur, federal, state, and local governments along with non-profit disaster-relief organizations help many people, but residents should do their part to prepare. Making homes and businesses more resistant to wind or flood damage and having flood insurance can help you in any future wind or flooding events.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Are You Ready For The Next Disaster: Make Your Property More Flood And Wind Resistant
How to Prepare for Power Outages
(ARA) – Mother Nature is full of surprises, especially during the winter months when freezing temperatures, ice, snow and high winds can knock out power to your home. Not only is a power outage inconvenient, it can threaten your safety. Your power can go out without notice, so make sure you’re prepared the next time you’re left in the dark.
Prepare Your Home and Family
A recent Chamberlain study conducted by Zoomerang found that 93 percent of homeowners reported having experienced a power outage this year alone, with some outages lasting hours or even days. Every family should prepare an emergency kit for storms and power outages and keep it in a central location. The kit should include:
* Flashlights, extra batteries, matches and candles
* A battery-operated weather radio
* A fully charged cell phone battery
* First aid supplies
* Bottled water and nonperishable packaged or canned foods and snacks
* Blankets, towels and pillows
Don’t panic. Help keep family members and children calm in the dark by telling stories and playing games such as trivia and guessing games.
Always Have Access -- Don’t Forget the Garage
Today, more than half of homeowners (55 percent) use the garage door as the primary entrance to their home, relying on an automatic garage door opener to gain access. However, during a power outage, homeowners are faced with having to manually lift the garage door, creating security, safety and convenience concerns. Make sure you have backup options when the power goes out.
* To avoid being blocked from entering and exiting your garage during an outage, check out a garage door opener with the EverCharge Standby Power System, a battery backup system that continues to supply power to open and close your garage door for up to two days when the power has failed, available on selected Chamberlain and professionally installed LiftMaster garage door openers.
* Know how to manually open and close your garage door during a power failure. Test your ability to ensure you can physically lift your garage door, your home’s heaviest and largest moving object.
Save Your Appliances
Power surges happen, so unplug your appliances to avoid a blow out when the power returns. Using power strips with surge protectors is an easy and cost-effective way to protect expensive electrical appliances.
* Open the refrigerator and freezer doors only when necessary and keep a cooler and ice packs on hand to store items that spoil easily.
* Remember to turn off your furnace, water heater and water pump. Leave one overhead room light in the “on” position so you can easily tell when the power has been restored.
For more information and to find a professional garage door opener dealer near you, visit www.liftmaster.com. For weekend warriors, the Chamberlain product equipped with the EverCharge Standby Power System can be found at most major home improvement retailers under the Chamberlain brand name or at www.chamberlain-diy.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
