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Cleanup Efforts Begin as Carencro Faces More Flooding

Mar 15th, 2012
by Jarvis Team.
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Officials are working to assess the damage caused by flooding on Tuesday. The assessments of damage resulting from the flash floods that inundated southern Louisiana on Monday could be ready by Thursday, there is a threat of more flooding from the bloated Vermilion River is a major worry for the people residing in the northeastern area of the Lafayette Parish, officials stated on Wednesday.

As per Jay Castille, Carencro City Manager, people are being evacuated from the area, The (Baton Rouge) Advocate reported.

If more rain falls, then there will be trouble for the communities in Carencro and surrounding areas, Castille stated.

As per the National Weather Service, the Vermilion River swollen to 21.85 feet at 3.00 pm, causing moderate flooding near Carencro. Flood stage of the river is at 17 feet.

According to Castile, a reworked estimate suggested that 60 percent of the Carencro city was inundated at one point, the Lafayette Daily Advertiser reported.

Church Street and Veterans Drive were hit quite hard. Affirming it as a major event, Castille said that almost all the communities within the Carencro city limits were affected. At least, 100 homes were affected.

The public works building in the city was also flooded with 2 feet of water.

Sewerage infrastructure in the city suffered some damage because of flooding, Carencro Mayor Glenn Brasseaux stated.

Castille stated that the city workers were out there cleaning up the drains and flooded buildings.

Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office spokesman, Capt. Kip Judice said that deputies were still observing the situation and were prepared to provide any help when needed. Judice said that they were waiting water levels to recede further and then evaluate what the city has to do to assist in public cleanup.

All the affected people are being prompted to get to call the Lafayette Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to answer a phone questionnaire.

Flooding can cause irreparable damage to your home or business place if not cleaned and dried promptly. In order to get to protect your property from water damage you should hire the service of a professional flood restoration company.

A reputable restoration company has all the equipment and expertise in cleaning up water-related damage. The services provided by an established property restoration company include flood redemption, water extraction, structural drying, sewage cleanup and mold redemption.

Severe Weather Rips Across Southeast

Jan 23rd, 2012
by Jarvis Team.
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A strong storm system with winds in excess of 50mph tore across the Southeast early Monday, killing at least three people and doing excessive damage to at least two states. The storm spurned tornadoes which ripped buildings and homes apart and knocked down trees and power lines. Dozens of injuries have thus far been reported in Jefferson County, Alabama ranging from cuts and bruises to broken bones. It also is being reported that numerous homes in the county have been destroyed.

Emergency officials are working to find people who may be trapped or injured. Emergency road crews are accessing the damage and clearing roadways which have been made impassible. Cedar point, AL which is northeast of Birmingham was especially hard hit by the suspected twister(s) as there are numerous reports of trees on top of houses and of residents having to step over downed trees to make their way down residential streets. Many trees in Cedar Point were snapped in half from the dangerous storm activity and there is debris spread across the small community.

The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are sending in teams to assist victims of the storm. There are also reports of damage coming in from Chilton and Perry counties south of Birmingham in the state’s mid-section. The governor of Alabama Robert Bentley has already declared a state of emergency which means that funding resources can be used to aid local officials. A total of seven counties in Alabama were damaged by the storm with most being in Jefferson and Chilton counties.

In the rural community of Oak Grove near Birmingham, entire homes were flattened, windows were blown out of vehicles and roofs of houses were torn partially off in the darkness of the early morning hours Monday. Many residents of Oak Grove report hearing a loud “roar” at around 3:30 am when the bad weather struck. This community took a major hit from tornadoes in April of 2011 when over 230 people were killed in Alabama although this time it was not the same neighborhoods that took the brunt of the damage. Thus far, Oak Park has lost one resident in this storm as an elderly man has lost his life. In nearby Trussville, many homes also were flattened and there are numerous reports of injuries there.

There were possible tornadoes in Arkansas as well. The storms also produced large hail and high winds as they moved through portions of Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois and Mississippi.

Cleaning Up After a Hurricane

Oct 4th, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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Hurricanes are forces of nature and they leave a trail of devastation and destruction on its wake. The storms and hurricanes all over the world are said to have been caused by man’s abuse of the Earth. But because they are unavoidable, the best you can do is to always be prepared. Having emergency supplies and a place to retreat for safety is very important. Boarding up the house and property before the hurricane comes is another method of protection.

Upon Returning to the Site

Remember to only return to your property after emergency officials have declared it safe to do so. Value your life more than material things. Only go once you are allowed to. Wear protective covering for your face, feet, and body. Do not attempt to touch any fallen wires or clear any trees. Call the utility company and report loss of power, upturned gas tanks, etc. Once power is restored, check the refrigerator for spoiled food and throw them out immediately. You can do a preliminary cleanup of your property by wiping wet surfaces. You can also dispose of waterlogged items like furniture, carpets, mattresses and pillows. Clothes that can be salvaged may be placed in garbage bags and taken to a Laundromat to be washed and cleaned.

File an Insurance Claim

Damage to property due to hurricanes is usually covered by insurance. You can file a claim and expect to be paid after a reasonable amount of time. You can wait for the insurance adjuster to come and inspect your house. But you may also take pictures to document the damage, especially if you are in a hurry to clean up. Whatever miscellaneous items you purchase may be reimbursed if you keep all receipts and invoices. Taking down notes about what particular parts of your house need to be repaired is also helpful. You will have to wait until the adjustor has finished inspection before you can call for outside service. Make sure you have a written quotation from the contractor because it is necessary for reimbursement purposes.

Utilize Outside Services

For major cleanup and repairs, it’s best if you outsource the service. There are several companies that specialize in hurricane damage repairs and cleaning. It can be overwhelming to deal with it all but you can count on these companies to deal with your destroyed floorboards, flooded basement or damaged roof. They are meticulous and thorough. They also prioritize hurricane victims so you can expect a crew to arrive immediately at your place. Broken windows, debris and tree removal can also be handled by these companies. There are even companies that offer complete restoration services. So, you will not have to worry about anything… they will take care of it all.

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.

Tropical Storm Emily may develop into a Hurricane before reaching Florida

Aug 2nd, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
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Tropical Storm Emily developed in the Caribbean close to the Lesser Antilles Monday evening. It is predicted to reach South Florida on Saturday as a category one hurricane. Small change in its strength since it formed has been reported.
At around 5 a.m., it was reported to be about 245 miles of San Juan, Puerto Rico and was about 1,200 miles southeast of Miami. With sustained winds of 40 mph, it is travelling at 16 mph.

If the forecast holds, the tropical storm would reach south of Puerto Rico Tuesday, get to the Dominican Republic by Wednesday and hit the Turks and Caicos Islands by Thursday. It is predicted to reach central Bahamas by Friday and draw close to the Miami coast by Saturday. However, the estimated course may change in next few days, as more data about steering currents becomes available.

Hurricane specialists using the computer models to predict the path of Emily stated that it may hit Florida by this weekend. According to the forecast made by the National Hurricane Center, a low-pressure trough is more likely to form over the western Atlantic, which could pull the storm toward South Florida. However, it is difficult to determine the path of Emily because of its rough condition. As per hurricane specialists with the Accuweather and National Hurricane Center, the system may die down as it approaches land and interacts with dry air, but other atmospheric conditions, like warm sea-surface temperatures may strengthen it.

The storm is predicted to move diagonally from the Lesser Antilles in the direction of Florida. According to Erik Pinrock, leading meteorologist with Accuweather, the high pressure that is shielding the storm over and above the eastern Atlantic and Florida has moved over the Midwest, allowing the tropical systems to progress toward Florida. Pinrock added that certain large-scale conditions in the environment support the predictions made by the computer models and forecasters with the National Hurricane Center.

According to Pinrock, there is a chance of Emily developing into a minimal hurricane. However, if the storm is stronger, then the possibility of it turning north-east toward the sea before reaching Florida is quite high.

The hurricane season this time is off to an active beginning. Before Emily, all the four named storms have been weak. However, the season is going to peak shortly, increasing the possibility of more forceful storms developing in a couple of upcoming months.

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.