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Flood Damage Florida

Residents in Southern Florida Struggle with Flooding

Nov 1st, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida. With more rain in the forecast for early this week, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties which will remain in effect until Tuesday.

Affected residents are being warned to stay inside and to avoid walking and driving in flood waters. Health officials in Miami are telling affected residents not to eat or drink anything which as been touched by flood waters as it will be contaminated. Several schools have been closed in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties due to flooding and are expected to re-open sometime this week. Over fifty apartments in one Fort Lauderdale complex were flooded late Sunday as were the complex’s underground parking garages. Several other apartment complexes in Fort Lauderdale were also affected by flooding as was a local food bank. The public has been asked to volunteer to help those affected mop and clean up.

The cause of the flooding in South Florida was a stalled frontal system which dumped twelve inches of rain in some areas. Even though much of the region of Florida has adequate drainage via many canals, the drains simply backed up under the strain of heavy rain. Fort Lauderdale Beach received the worst of the rain as 12.5 inches fell there. Coconut Grove received 11 inches followed by Palmetto Bay with 8.8 inches.

Thousands of residents and businesses were affected by the Florida flooding which will result in many of them having to deal with the damage over the next few days if not weeks. Insurance companies in the affected region reported Monday that many flood claims have been filed with the majority of them for roof and vehicle engine damage. Nearly 3,000 Florida Power & Light customers lost their power early Monday although most should see it restored by Tuesday.

The flood damage was so extensive in parts of Fort Lauderdale that several restoration companies were hard at work already Monday cleaning up apartments, homes and businesses which had several inches of dirty standing water inside. Rainy weather and gusting winds are expected to remain over South Florida until mid-week. A low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico is also bring in some added rain. That system has a 60% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. Residents living in low-lying areas in South Florida are being told to have plans in place to address flooding which may occur.

Time for Floridians to Be Ready for Tropical Storms as Irene Approaches

Aug 22nd, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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It is time for residents of Florida to prepare their homes and properties for the possible arrival of tropical storms and hurricanes. Tropical storm Irene is threatening to become the first storm to reach hurricane strength this week as it is making its way along the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The National Weather Service has said that Irene could hit the southern Florida coasts by as early as Thursday or Friday of this week as a hurricane.

Now is not the time to become complacent if you live in Florida just because there has been an absence of severe storms in recent years. The Florida Division of Emergency Management wishes to warn people in the state to not have a false sense of security during this year’s hurricane season. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southern Florida in late August of 2005 as only a Category 1 storm but the damage it did to homes and properties was extensive.

The most common type of damage which can occur during a tropical storm or hurricane in Florida is debris breaking windows and water filling a property. Also, high winds can wreak havoc on a building, creating pressure inside which can cause the roof to rip off. A tropical storm can pack sustained winds of between 40 and 73 miles per hour while a Category 5 hurricane can bring winds in excess of 155 mile per hour with 18+ feet storm surges which inevitably lead to catastrophic damage to homes, businesses and properties.

When you live in Florida, and especially in the southern portion of the state, it is a part of life to protect your home from potential damage done by tropical storms and hurricanes. Homes can be devastated by high wind and waves and debris can easily break doors and windows. It is essential to do regular inspections on roofs. A technique called “hurricane blocking” can be done to new structures which entails putting an extra 2×4 under the truss which creates a pocket of air space. This prevents a vacuum from forming during occurrences of strong winds.

Impact-resistant windows can be installed on new homes. Owners of older homes can have their windows “wet-flashed” which is a process of putting a sealant on the windows to prevent water leaks. Impact-resistant doors can also be used on homes. Additionally, it is wise to see to it that doors have at least three hinges and a dead bolt lock that features a bolt which is at least two inches long. There are no other storms on earth as powerful as hurricanes so it is essential to prepare your Florida property before a storm strikes. It is also important to know your city’s community disaster plan and to create a family plan as well.

Tips for Boarding up Your Windows before a Hurricane

Jul 15th, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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The hurricane season in Florida starts from June and lasts until November. It is imperative that you take all the preventive measures before and during the hurricane season. Boarding up the windows of your home can considerably reduce the chance of damage caused by wind and water. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you should use five-eighths-inch marine plywood to board up your windows. However, it is important to understand that this preventive measure provides a temporary protection against hurricanes. It is highly advised that you should use more solid and durable structures such as steel shutters, especially if you live in areas, like Florida, which are more likely to experience a high-intensity hurricane.

Other things that you will require for boarding up your windows are gloves, safety goggles, tape measure, circular saw, framing square, pencil, drill and drill bits, ¼-inch lag screws (for houses with wood frame structure), ¼-inch expansion bolts, wrench, hammer, nuts, masonry anchors, wood anchors and large washers.

1. Count the number of windows in your homes and use the tape measure to determine the width and height of each window. Add 8-inch to both the width and the height.

2. Take the circular saw and cut the board as per measurements you have taken. Wear the gloves and safety goggles while doing so to prevent the wooden splinters from piercing into your hands and injuring your eyes. Use the framing square to get a straight cut.

3. Now take the drill and use drill bits corresponding to the diameter of the screws or bolts to drill the holes. The holes should be 2-inch in from the edge of the board at every corner. Drill the holes all-around the panel by keeping twelve-inch gaps between them. For example, drill one hole at the top right edge of the panel, then measure down twelve inches and drill another one. Keep on repeating this process until you have drilled the holes around the whole board panel.

4. Position the drilled board in place firmly and use the pencil to mark opening of the holes.

5. Now secure the board on all four sides. If you are securing the board on a wooden frame house and windows measuring 3-by-4 feet or smaller, then apply plastic-coated permanent anchor. Place a washer and use the wrench to tighten ¼-inch lag screws into each hole. For windows larger than 3-by-4, use 3/8-inch lag screws. For securing the board to masonry house with windows 3-by-4 feet or smaller, apply galvanized permanent expansion anchor and use ¼-inch expansion bolts. Use the hammer to pound in the screws. For bigger windows, use 3/8-inch expansion bolts.

Coastal Flooding Impact, and how to prevent it

Jul 6th, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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Coastal flood is a common recurrence in many parts of the world. It has been seen that excess water ravages the adjoining land and the interior following cyclones, hurricanes, tsunamis, snow melts and dam bursting. People who have lived along the coastal areas are more at danger due to the high possibility of flooding. Needless to say coastal flooding can run amok lives and property in minutes. Weak sea coasts are not able to handle the rising sea water, which easily submerges the nearby areas.

Impact of coastal flooding:

Due to coastal floods, apart from loss of life and accidents; there can be the following effects:

1. Coastal erosion which can destroy the lands and its facilities
2. Chronic loss of land combined with annihilation of coastal sediments, which can inherently prevent floods
3. Nearby construction activity is affected due to coastal erosion.
4. Damage to adjoining property and flooding caused due to impact of storms that give rise to steep waves.
5. Scarcity of land created due to coastal erosion and flooding
6. Depletion of environmental resources like fertile land, oyster beds etc.

Over the last few years, we have seen that severe storms, hurricanes and tsunamis have given rise to coastal flooding that has inundated lands. These flood events can be short-term or long-term but in both cases, there can be considerable water damage, mold growth, destruction of property and loss of life. The deadliest incident of coastal flooding was in 1931 in China, where millions were killed. This happened when the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers was flood and spilled over to the land, killing four millions who died from drowning as well as from contamination, starvation and disease. Then, there is also an incident in Hallisands, in Devon, England of a hurricane that washed away the entire village in just 16 hours.

To prevent coastal flooding from gaining momentum and cause considerable damage, here are the few things that can be done.

1. Seawalls: Seawalls can provide short-term protection from erosion. Of course, the sand used to form them can eventually deteriorate and the authorities must be responsible enough to replace them. Their construction on a consistent basis can allow these buildings to continue without being affected.

2. Codes for buildings: Buildings and houses near the coast must be built with specific materials that can withstand coastal flooding. This means property owners have to consent to have their homes and offices built; adhering to these materials with features like slits and flood elevations.

3. Flood Insurance: Apart from the above two preventative steps, it is also important to have homes and offices near flood prone zones to have a flood insurance. The US government has a provision for this, especially for the homeowners in the coastal flood zones to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

4. Banning building homes near the coast: This can guarantee that there is no loss to life and property due to coastal floods, but such bans are not implemented usually because municipalities cannot enforce these bans at the cost of affecting personal property rights. In some cases, the proactive municipal corporations do go ahead and sweeten the ban by buying these areas and using it as parks and open spaces.