The Effects of Home Flooding
April 19, 2010
Buying a home is an investment; you spend more than a hundred thousand dollars just to purchase a modest house, and spend at least a decade paying off the mortgage. It makes a lot of sense that homeowners become very protective and concerned of this particular real estate property.
One of the problems an owner usually faces is home flooding. If you are living in an elevated area, perhaps on a mountain or a hill, you are saved from having to deal with it but if you are like most of us, you would have to face this too.
Effects can either be mild or severe, or a combination of both. By mild effects, this refers to inconsequential damages such as dampened flooring and wet furniture which can be remedied by simply exposing them to sunlight or drying them out with a vacuum cleaner. Severe effects include damage to electrical wirings and pipes, as well as wooden structures such as walls and wooden furniture. If appliances have been exposed to water, these could also malfunction. Severe damage brought about by flooding are not to be taken lightly as floods are powerful enough to destroy an entire home, in some cases.
You can also prevent home flooding by making sure that your drainage systems are functioning; seal off cracks and foundations with the use of sealants; and if at all possible, you can also opt to elevate your home to a level that is above Base Flood Elevation (BFE) by hiring a contractor who can take care of this for you. This can be costly but it is the most effective means to avoid flooding in your home. And if you live in a flood-prone area, you could still save money because the cost of repairing your home is going to be much, much higher than the amount you pay to get the elevation.
If your home gets affected by flooding, your best course of action is to get hold of your insurance company. But what if you do not have one? Well, do not wait to find out what will happen. This type of protection could certainly give you a lot of benefits in the event that your house gets flooded, especially if it will suffer the severe effects of flooding.
Truly, the effects of flooding are not something that any homeowner should take for granted. If you value your home, you will do what it takes to protect it.
FEMA Steps in To Assist Flood Victims in Rhode Island
April 6, 2010
The recent massive rainstorms that traveled up the east coast of the United States hit the tiny state of Rhode Island the hardest. The Ocean State endured what was called the worst flood to hit the area in over 100 years. The large March monsoon proved too much for many residents in this state as it did an incredible amount of damage to both homes and businesses.
Throngs of onlookers converged on the Warwick Mall in Warwick, Rhode Island to see for themselves what they had heard and seen on the news – the cars left parked in the parking lot were covered with dirty flood water and the entire complex was surrounded by deep water. The state saw massive evacuations and a countless number of businesses and schools had to shut their doors.
President Obama issued a disaster declaration to all of Rhode Island and sent FEMA teams in to help people get back on their feet. Under Obama’s disaster declaration, residents may be eligible for FEMA funded rental payments for temporary housing for those families who were forced to leave their homes and whose homes have extensive flood damage – deeming them unlivable. Assistance may be provided for up to 90 days for those owning their homes and for at least 30 days for renters. This assistance may also be extended by request based on a review.
FEMA funded grants will also be available to flood victims so that home repairs and replacements can be made and also for medical, dental, transportation and other flood related needs that may not be covered by insurance. Rhode Island residents who temporarily lost their jobs due to the flood can also seek unemployment payments for up to 26 weeks. Low interest loans will also be given out to cover losses not fully covered by homeowner’s insurance. The cap for primary residence low interest loans is set at $200,000 while there are loans available for up to $2 million for business property losses.
People residing in Rhode Island who feel that they are eligible for FEMA assistance are encouraged to first talk to their insurance companies to see what, if any coverage they may already have. They should then visit FEMA’s website to read about what steps should be taken to make themselves eligible for the various flood relief assistance programs. Another option is to seek out and visit one of FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers located throughout the state.
Storm damage cleanup underway in Rhode Island
April 2, 2010
The second large storm to break records this spring in the Northeastern part of the United States began to dissipate early Wednesday morning but the worst of the threat of widespread flooding is yet to come.
All across the state of Rhode Island, rivers were expected to crest Wednesday or Thursday and state officials are telling residents to brace for what could be the worst flooding to hit the state in over a century. Rhode Island governor Don Carieri said that no one alive has ever witnessed flooding that the state is seeing now or is about to experience.
Interstate 95 – which is a major expressway, was shut down in Warwick due to flooding and the same highway was closed to one lane only in other parts of the state. Highway crews have been working around the clock to stack sandbags along the roadway but it is not known if the road will open again for morning commuters.
President Barack Obama issued an emergency declaration Tuesday night for the state, making federal assistance and disaster relief available. He also authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to step in to manage the flood relief efforts. The National Guard has been called in and many residential evacuations were ordered in Rhode Island as well as in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
In Cranston, all eyes are on the Pawtuxet River that runs through the city. The river’s flood stage is 9 feet and it is expected to crest Wednesday morning near 20 feet, forcing local officials and volunteers into action. Homes near the river’s edge are being sandbagged and homeowners are clearing gutters and downspouts and making arrangements for the possibility of being told to leave.
The cause of this mayhem is a major rainstorm that refused to pass over after it formed Sunday night. The storm dumped more water over the already water drenched state, flooding much of the ground that is unable to absorb more moisture. Nearly nine inches of rain fell in East Providence, over seven inches in downtown Providence and five inches in Cranston. The system also brought with it heavy winds and rain that left thousands without power.
No portions of the Ocean State are being spared as rivers overflow their banks, forcing numerous school closings and causing hundreds of people to flee to dryer land-some even by boat. Everyone in the the tiny state of Rhode Island is on high alert and is being asked to keep a close eye on local news reports and to listen to authorities.
