Tag Archives: flooding

General Safety Issues

STOP EXPENSES FROM LEAKING AWAY (GUEST POST)

 Sent by Dan Oztunc 

As recent extreme weather events have once again demonstrated, water, our most treasured resource, can also be a source of wide spread and costly damage to society. This is not just applicable to structural deterioration and loss of infrastructure induced by flooding, but more commonly with technological issues where even the smallest amount of water leaking into an electric circuit can result in a complete shutdown of the system. With such extensive use of electronics in business, communications and heavy industries, the risk of economic loss by water leaks is higher than ever. 

Fortunately, it is possible for businesses to protect themselves against such difficulties by installing water leak detection systems and alarms, whereby specialist water detecting equipment is fitted in susceptible zones and connected to audible or visual alerts to incite an immediate response. Where necessary, the leak detector can be remotely connected to a water valve shut off system whereby the water supply is cut off on instant discovery of a leak with no need for human intervention. 

Areas of risk include, but are not limited to, water pipes, air conditioning units and drip trays, office tea rooms, wet rooms, under floor water services and water tanks which could overflow. The types of detector equipment available will vary according to the area being monitored and can be mains or battery powered. For example, a spot probe will optically detect changes in water levels in drip trays or detect changes in sound or vibrations from the appearance of unexpected moisture. Alternatively, detection cable can be laid out to cover larger areas and detects leaks in any direction as soon as water comes into contact with it. Advantageously, the wire can be easily wiped off to swiftly reset the detector. 

The alerting systems can range from a simple buzzer and lamp to discreet wall mounted alarms with bright LED outputs which allow for distant visibility and in recent years an SMS alerting service transmits the alarm directly to the individual. So now, by applying a simple preventative measure, there is no reason to allow finances to flow away into unnecessary repair costs.

This article was written by Emily Banham on behalf of CMR Electrical, design and manufacturers of water leak detection equipment and much more. More information can be found on the following link – http://www.cmrelectrical.com/water-leak-detection.htm

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing, Weather Protection

AFTERMATH AND NEW WARNINGS REGARDING SUPERSTORM SANDY

 This latest report from Alert Net, regarding the situation in Northeastern United States:

“As the last remnants of Hurricane Sandy move out of the Northeast, the response to the superstorm continues. The U.S. death toll from the storm is up to 85 in 10 different states. Some 5.5 million electrical customers, down from a peak of 8.5 million, are still without electrical power; the storm caused power outages extending from Maine to North Carolina and as far west as Kentucky and Ohio. Hardest hit is New Jersey where 2,500,000 customers are still without power.

The storm was more than 1,000 miles wide at its peak.  The following states were affected: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia. Approximately 13,000 people are reported staying in shelters across the impacted states.

Sandy’s most severe impact appears to be in the state of New Jersey and in New York City, where the center of the storm made landfall. While it will be some time yet before damage assessments are complete, extensive damage from floodwaters occurred across the nation’s largest city in most of its five boroughs. In the Breezy Point section of Queens, more than 100 homes burned when gas from ruptured lines ignited. Firefighters were unable to reach the homes due to floodwaters.

Much of the city continues to remain without power forcing the evacuation of patients from a number of hospitals. Many locales will remain flooded until power is restored and pumps can be activated. Progress is being made as limited bus and subway operations are being restored.

The situation in New Jersey is grim, with much of the state’s coastline now demolished or heavily damaged. In Hoboken, as many as 20,000 of the city’s residents were trapped in apartments on flooded streets, and had no power. Heavy-duty National Guard vehicles are now at work bringing relief to the survivors.

Elsewhere, in North Carolina Sandy flooded 400 homes. In Ohio there is flooding along the Cuyahoga, Chagrin and Grand Rivers near Cleveland. In West Virginia homes have been destroyed when roofs collapsed due to more than 24 inches of snow falling. Communities in West Virginia are now bracing for the flooding that will result when the snow melts. All across the northeast homes have been destroyed and damaged by fallen trees.”

Response:

Church World Service Disaster Response Specialists are working with state, regional and local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, known as VOADS, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, our member denominations and other agencies to determine where CWS denominations are helping and are needed. CWS is providing material resources, including blankets, hygiene kits, school kits, baby kits and clean-up buckets to local agencies in four states: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Total amount of current shipments: $481,577. More shipments are in process.

The initial response phase has not yet ended; as the affected areas become safe to enter teams from CWS-member communities will assess the damage, help home owners repair damaged houses and develop plans for future long-term recovery activities to include major home repairs and rebuilds.  CWS also will assist communities in developing Long Term Recovery plans, providing technical and financial support, and providing on site Long Term Recovery training.

According to ABC News and other news sources, as residents of several Northeast states try to recover from Superstorm Sandy, a nor’easter is expected to bring more rain, wind and cold over the next three days.  Cold air will bring uncomfortable wind chills to places already impacted by Sandy.  On Wednesday, wind gusts up to 55 mph are expected to reach the region.  Possible localized flooding from heavy rain and snow may cause more power outages, resulting in dangerous travel.

We’ve all heard the saying “when it rains, it pours.”  Our friends in the Northeast are suffering in many ways, through the loss of their homes, belongings, power, in addition to waiting in long lines for fuel for their cars and generators.  There are many organizations such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, and others that are helping them and accepting donations; and as always,  thousands of volunteers working alongside professional rescue and response teams.   Clothing, blankets, and other supplies are being sent from all across the U.S.    Do what you can to offer help; please don’t forget our fellow Americans in their time of need.

Texas America Safety Company offers all types of personal protective equipment for those who are working in the flood cleanup.  It is important that all workers are protected from the remnants of debris and pathogens in the devastation.

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

WHEN FLOODS ATTACK (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Rebecca Wilcox

Flooding can cause enormous issues with your home in more ways than one. Sure, there is the initial damage and inconvenience that can come from heavy flooding. This is the damage that most people tend to associate with flooding, though it is honestly one of the least damaging aspects of a flood. 

The most damage from a flood generally comes from the long-term effects of what standing water can do to a structure. This damage is often not readily apparent when the flooding starts to subside, but instead causes unseen damage over long periods of time. In the end, things like mold, wood rot, and mildew can have a worse impact on your home than the flood itself.

To help protect against long-term damage like this, it’s important to do everything you can to keep water from getting into your basement or any other part of your home. This can be accomplished in a number of different ways, but the steps you’ll need to take will vary depending on whether or not you have a basement. Basements add another layer of difficulty to the mix because they are often very difficult to seal against flooding. If you do have a basement, the best thing you can do is work with a contractor to seal it. This will likely be a fairly expensive job.

The other aspect of keeping your home free of flood damage is to have measures on hand that you can use to get rid of water once the flooding starts. If your preparations fail or are overwhelmed, you may be stuck pumping water out of your home yourself. If this happens, you should have a strong pump on hand to get the water out of your house. Tough, durable pumps like Tsurumi pumps are a great, affordable option for this. You want to make sure that your pump is affordable, but not cheap. After all, what good is a cheap pump that ends up costing you thousands in flood damage after it breaks down at a critical moment.

Floods can be absolutely catastrophic if you aren’t prepared for them. Even when you are prepared, there will always be at least a little damage resulting from a major flooding event. Despite this, it is very possible to mitigate the damage done by flooding when you take the time to prepare and equip yourself with the right kind of gear.

As Rebecca advises, be prepared to protect yourself with the right kind of personal protective gear.  From gloves, goggles, waterproof clothing, to rubber boots, your body must not be in contact with contamination from flood waters, mold and mildew.  Some types of destruction require professionals to assist with the clean-up.  Use caution when working in this type of environment. Pat

 

General Safety Issues

Seven Ways to Hurricane-Proof Your Home

 We appreciate Tracy Myers for sending this timely article, as our friends all along the Northeastern Coast of the U.S. are involved with Hurricane Sandy, and the storms that are approaching.  In addition, this just in from Jason Sickle, Yahoo News, October 29:  

 “Hurricane Sandy, a massive storm described by forecasters as one of the largest to ever hit the United States, is making her way towards the population-dense East Coast. Evacuations have been ordered from Maryland to Maine, where storm surge and high winds are expected to wipe out power to millions.  

The Category 1 hurricane threatens nearly 50 million people, and is expected to make landfall around 8 pm Monday in New Jersey. Storm surges of up to 11 feet are expected in New York City, and rescue efforts are already underway for people who ignored evacuation orders on the coast of Delaware.” 

Hopefully, we aren’t too late to send this good advice:

By: Tracy Myers, of  http://www.homeinsurance.org/

For the Eastern Pacific, hurricane season begins May 15 and ends Nov. 30. For the Atlantic, hurricane season begins June 1 and also ends on Nov. 30. That’s a LONG time to sit and wonder if your home is able to withstand the force of a Category 1, 2, or higher hurricane. It’s also plenty of time for you to get off of your butt and get prepared. So stop and think for a second: is your garage refrigerator fully stocked with beer? Yes? Good. Surf boards waxed and ready to go? Excellent, dude! But before you send out invites to that hurricane party, consider these seven ways you can hurricane-proof your home.

  1. Reinforce your windows

    Impact resistant windows are more expensive than regular windows, but they’re built to withstand the impact of a missile (i.e. a tree trunk) traveling at more than 30 mph. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, such windows are essential, and will save you money you’d otherwise spend repairing the damage your home might sustain. Storm shutters, made of either metal or plywood, are another effective and less expensive option, but be sure they are installed correctly for maximum protection.

  2. Secure your outdoor stuff

    A hurricane can produce winds in excess of 155 mph, as well as your friendly neighborhood tornado. And if a hurricane is headed your way, your unsecured outdoor trash cans, grill, potted plants, and patio furniture will be transformed into flying projectiles, causing damage and injuring anyone unlucky enough to be outside. Don’t assume your garden gnome or front yard pink flamingo is going to be around after a hurricane blows through your neighborhood. Bring your outdoor items into your home or secure them inside your garage. And speaking of garages…

  3. Reinforce garage doors

    Did you know your garage door is the weakest part of your house? Garage doors are generally made of thin, lightweight metal, and supported only on the sides, not top and bottom. But reinforcing a garage door is relatively simple and can, in some cases, be done with a pair of crossed two-by-fours. Before doing so, be sure to release the door from the garage door mechanism and lock it. More expensive options include purchasing and having professionally installed specially reinforced garage doors.

  1. Buy and install a generator

    So you rode out the hurricane, your windows are intact, and your dogs and cats have finally stopped barking and meowing. You breathe a sigh of relief, until you discover there’s no electricity. And it’s 100 degrees outside. And with branches littering the streets, preventing repair crews from easy access to your home, chances are you’re in for a few days (or more) of no air conditioning. Unless you’re smart, thought ahead, and own a generator. If you’re really smart, you own either a portable emergency generator, which can generate enough juice to power more than one room in your home, or a standby generator, which can power your home’s air conditioning. These generators come in different sizes, and some types need to be installed by a professional electrician. So shop around now instead of the day after a hurricane.

  2. Batten down the hatches

    “Batten down the hatches” is pirate-talk for “In the event of hundred-plus mph winds, let’s make sure your roof doesn’t blow off!” Metal hurricane straps are designed to secure your roof’s tresses to the walls of your home, and may already be installed in your home if you live in a hurricane-prone area of the country. After checking to see if you have hurricane straps, get out a ladder and take a good look at your roof’s tiles and shingles. If any are loose, use roofing cement to glue them down. And while you’re up there, take time to clean any debris out of the gutters, so that rain water hitting roof isn’t prevented from safely draining off.

  3. Trim your trees

    In the event of a storm, nearby dead tree branches will snap and possibly damage your home or more embarrassingly, a neighbor’s home, which can lead to some uncomfortable conversations with your insurance provider. Improperly cutting and pruning a tree can increase the danger of it breaking apart in high winds, so consult with and hire a certified arborist to do the job correctly.

  4. Do not drain your swimming pool

    Once you’re done enjoying the unbelievable waves that come with any approaching storm, it’s time to take care of your backyard swimming pool. Remove any rubber rafts and rubber ducks, but do not drain your pool. The pool’s water will serve as a protective shield that will prevent damage from flying debris. The water remaining in your pool also prevents hydrostatic pressure, that is, water that builds up in the ground around the pool, which can cause your pool to “pop” out of the ground.

Please heed all warnings and evacuation orders.  P.S. On Tuesday, the storm has done much damage to the Northeast; power is out in several states, and first report was that sixteen persons have died.  We pray that most of the people that were told to evacuate did so. Pat

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

“Superstorm Sandy” IS AN UNWELCOME VISITOR TO THE NORTHEASTERN U.S.

Hurricane Sandy is churning off the East Coast and is expected to join up with two other weather systems to create a huge and problematic storm affecting 50 million people. Here’s a snapshot of what is happening or expected, state by state, according to the Associated Press.

CAROLINAS – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 14 members of a crew forced to abandon a tall ship about 90 miles off the North Carolina coast and continued to search for two other crew members. The storm lashed barrier islands and rendered several homes and businesses nearly inaccessible.

CONNECTICUT -Water from Long Island Sound began spilling into roadways and towns along the Connecticut shoreline in the first signs of flooding from Sandy. Officials say the flooding at high tide overnight could cause more damage than a 1938 New England hurricane, known as the Long Island Express.

DELAWARE – Dover Air Force Base has relocated some aircraft in anticipation of the storm, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has requested that the base be used as a staging area for support and supplies. Some residents of low-lying areas of the base have been ordered to evacuate.

KENTUCKY – Sandy is expected to bring snow to far southeastern Kentucky. A winter storm warning is in effect in Harlan, Letcher and Pike counties through Wednesday morning. Forecasters say snow could accumulate from 4 to 10 inches in high elevations and 1 to 3 inches in lower elevations.

MAINE – Virtually all Maine public schools opened Monday but some were closing early before the heaviest rain and wind from Hurricane Sandy. State officials say the biggest concern is wind, which is expected to cause widespread power outages. The state’s utilities say they have crews poised to deal with expected power outages, including some from Canada.

MARYLAND – Hurricane Sandy inflicted considerable damage overnight to a large, iconic ocean pier in the Maryland beach resort of Ocean City. In mountainous western Maryland, a blizzard warning was issued for sections of Garrett County for Monday night into Tuesday morning.

MASSACHUSETTS – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is shutting down all service at 2 p.m. Monday due to expected high winds from Sandy. Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey said the order affects all subway, bus and commuter rail service.

NEW HAMPSHIRE – Gov. John Lynch has urged all drivers to be off the roads by 3 p.m. as Hurricane Sandy approaches. Lynch declared a state of emergency and directed that non-essential state workers be released from work Monday afternoon. He urged employers to consider releasing workers early. The governor has put 100 New Hampshire Guard soldiers on active duty.

NEW JERSEY – Officials have closed a larger section of the Garden State Parkway because of flooding. The parkway is closed from Exit 63 in Stafford Township to the southern terminus. Most of Atlantic City is under water, and there’s flooding in other cities up and down the New Jersey shore as the storm approaches for a predicted direct hit to New Jersey.

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city’s public schools will remain closed on Tuesday after being shut down Monday. Earlier, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and Holland Tunnel will close at 2 p.m. Monday. Airports in the metropolitan New York City area are open, but air carriers are not operating.  A television report recently reported that hundreds of thousands of residents of low-lying areas have been advised to evacuate.

OHIO – Residents of low-lying areas and along Lake Erie were told to watch for flooding; utilities are anticipating high winds that could blow down trees and poles. Snow is forecast in some areas.

PENNSYLVANIA – Officials from the state transit agency and the Pennsylvania Turnpike have instituted speed restrictions over concerns about high winds and ordered certain vehicles, including empty trucks and motorcycles, off some highways. The National Weather Service says southeastern Pennsylvania could get winds reaching 75 mph and rainfall up to 10 inches.

RHODE ISLAND – Officials are concerned about wind driving water north up Narragansett Bay, which could create flooding in low-lying areas of the upper bay, including Providence, Warwick and Cranston. About 2,600 National Grid customers were without power, mostly in Barrington and other parts of Bristol County.

TENNESSEE – Snow is expected in higher elevations, where a freeze warning has been issued. High winds are expected in many areas.

VERMONT – Gov. Peter Shumlin declared a state of emergency to provide access to National Guard troops in a state still recovering from the devastating effects of the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Culverts and storm drainage basins in some spots have been cleared of debris.

VIRGINIA – A curfew is in place on Virginia’s swamped Chincoteague Island. Officials say the entire 37-square-mile island is underwater, and there is no way off the island because a causeway to the mainland has been closed. The 3,500 islanders who decided to tough out Hurricane Sandy have been told to keep off the streets.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Taxis that originate in Washington are authorized to add an emergency flat rate of $15 per trip because of Hurricane Sandy, starting Monday. The price is supposed to expire at noon Tuesday, but can be extended if considered necessary. The capital area’s transit system shut down rail service for the first time since 2003.

WEST VIRGINIA – As much as 2 to 3 feet of snow was forecast in mountainous areas, and flooding was possible in some areas. At least 14 counties are under a blizzard warning Monday as high winds and heavy, wet snow moves through the state.

Weather experts say that the possibility of high waves is their main concern in many areas.  Military personnel are scattered throughout many states, helping those who are trying to move their furnishings, etc. to second story floors of their homes, in order to minimize damage to some of their possessions, and are also assisting in evacuations.  Persons should think first of saving the lives of themselves, their family, and their pets, and taking what they can to safer places.  They should stay in touch with relatives who are watching the progression of Sandy as she moves inland. If you are in any of the Northeastern part of the U.S., play it safe.  Suggestions of preparing for emergencies, such as having plenty of supplies, i.e., fresh water, batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food supplies, pet foods, and medications are found to be very important in times of threatening weather.  It’s also wise to keep a first-aid kit  with those other supplies. Pat

 

Source for state by state report: Associated Press