Storms and Tornadoes Pound South
January 24, 2012
Storms produced at least 25 devastating tornadoes across the South and Midwest from Sunday night through Monday morning, claiming two lives and hurting more than 100 people.
Meteorologists stated that the severe weather was unusual for January, and was more evocative of a springtime condition.
Tornadoes resulting from the system that spread across the Gulf of Mexico through the Great lakes slammed Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee early Monday morning. Major damage was reported in Alabama where two people, 86 years-old Bobby Sims of Alliance and 16 years-old Christina Heichelneck of Clay, lost their lives and more than 100 got injured.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) meteorologists on Monday confirmed that an EF-3 tornado, which packs the wind speeds of up to 150 mph, had hit Clay.
The storms brought golf ball-sized hail and winds gust of more than 60 mph wrecked trees, razed neighborhoods and damaged building in several places throughout the region.
As per Accuweather, Arkansas, Cleveland, Crittenden, Dallas, Lonoke and Prairie counties in Arkansas were reported to be hit by tornadoes. Chickasaw and Lauderdale in Mississippi and Dickson in Tennessee were also struck by tornadoes during the night.
In Alabama, Tuscaloosa, a region still recovering from the effects of a severe tornado that caused extensive damaged in April, 2011, was struck by deadly tornadoes. Powerful winds blew off the roof of a house in the Tuscaloosa County. The National Weather Service reported that an EF-2 tornado had struck in the Tuscaloosa County, Ala.
In Jefferson County, Ala., certain areas were struck by tornadoes. As per the local news reports, at least four were killed and several were injured. About 4.00 a.m. ET, a tornado destroyed a number of homes in the Paradise Valley region in Jefferson. The building of an elementary school in close by Center Point was also heavily damaged.
Nearby Clanton, Ala., a tornado was reported to have ruined radio transmission tower as well as the studio at about 8.00 a.m. ET.
Close to 9.00 a.m. ET, several power lines and trees were brought down by strong winds near Millbrook, Ala. Fences and structures of metals were also slashed apart in the area.
As per the Red Cross estimates, greater than 200 homes were destroyed in Alabama and hundreds of others were severely damaged. A state of emergency throughout Alabama was declared by the state government.
By midday Monday, the threat of further powerful storms and devastating tornadoes hitting the region reduced.
Tropical Storm Lee – Several Gulf Communities Under Water
September 6, 2011
The levees are holding in New Orleans but communities elsewhere on the Gulf Coast received up to seven feet of water as a result of tropical storm Lee moving into the region. The National Hurricane Center has warned that very heavy rains will fall over much of the southeastern portion of the US during the next few days and that the rainfall will cause widespread flooding and flash flooding.
Flooding has occurred in several outlying New Orleans parishes. In the southern portion of Jefferson Parish, some homes were inundated with up to six or seven feet of water. The winds that came in with Lee have pushed water from the Gulf of Mexico inland and since the region is at or below sea level, the water has no where to go so it’s rushing into communities located along the coast.
The storm has dumped over a foot of rain in New Orleans when it came ashore yesterday. Lee is a very slow moving system which is complicating things as it is unloading extremely heavy rains. The system is threatening to create widespread flash flooding up in the Appalachians which may be very similar to what Hurricane Irene did in Vermont last week.
Lee is expected to grow weaker over the next few days but it can drop up to eight inches of rain as it moves across Alabama Tuesday and into Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. It will be a wet week in the southern states and forecasters are warning that the storm could spawn tornadoes Monday and Tuesday throughout the region. The system is leaving a big soggy mess behind as it crawls along at a snail’s pace through the south.
The upgraded levee systems in New Orleans appeared to have kept the city safe for the most part, but the victory is bittersweet for people living in nearby communities. In Jean Lafitte, the local bayou is five feet higher than normal which has resulted in many homes being flooded with several feet of water. Residents there have been building levees out of rocks and sandbagging but so far the storm system is winning.
Thankfully Lee has not been a weather monster but more of a Labor Day washout as it has closed most Gulf beaches for the holiday weekend. Cities and towns along the eastern seaboard which have been hit hard by Hurricane Irene are bracing for their turn as Lee moves north. Both Lee and Hurricane Katia could potentially impact the east coast sometime this week where thousands of home and business owners are still trying to mop up from the flood damage done by Hurricane Irene.
Hurricane Irene Intensifying Has Its Sights on Virginia
August 23, 2011
Hurricane Irene is picking up power as it churns its way East of the Dominican Republic on a west-northwesterly path. Irene is now a Category 2 hurricane but it is expected to become a larger, more powerful Category 3 storm with winds over 110 miles per hour by Wednesday. The news gets worse: Irene is expected to grow into a massive Category 4 storm as it nears the southeastern coast of the United States by Friday.
Irene is the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season and it is looking as though it is going to be the first hurricane to hit the US since Ike thrashed the Texas coastline in 2008. Residents in Virginia are being told to keep an eye on developing weather reports concerning Irene. Depending on which way the storm moves once it zeroes in on the US, the central portion of Virginia could see heavy rainfall as the storm moves its way up the eastern coastline later Saturday and on through Sunday. The eastern portion of Virginia could receive the worst amount of damage with storm surges and flooding from heavy rains. Properties from Norfolk to DC could be impacted by the pending storm system.
The National Hurricane Center has said that the longer Irene remains over the Gulf Stream, the stronger and more perilous it will become. The area of Virginia near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay is the portion of Virginia which is the most susceptible to hurricanes. If Irene sets her sights on this area, residents there should be prepared for severe storm surges. Flooding rain in the region is also very likely and in fact, some forecasters are warning residents in the area that Irene could bring in over five inches of rain.
Although Virginia’s coastal and eastern regions are especially at risk for a major storm like Irene, the impacts of the storm’s winds and flooding can adversely affect any part of the state. The best defense against the perils and destruction caused by hurricanes like this is to stay informed and to be prepared. Local and state officials can and will order evacuations if they believe Irene will be a safety concern or if they think it is going to cause serious damage. State residents are being urged to visit the state’s Dept. of Emergency Management website to learn how to prepare.
Virginians are also being reminded that homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. It takes thirty days for a flood insurance policy to take effect and if you wait until a few days before a hurricane strikes, it is too late to receive coverage. Residents living in areas prone to storm surges are being told to be ready to evacuate due to flooding if told to do so.
New York City Swamped with Heavy Flooding
August 15, 2011
Heavy rainstorms caused major flooding across New York City over the weekend. There were over ten inches of rain recorded in Lido Beach by sunset Sunday. Brooklyn suffered heavy flooding along the Belt Parkway with reports of many vehicles being stranded in the deep water.
On Staten Island, flooded streets led to authorities warning residents and motorists to use extreme caution when out. There were many cars in Staten Island stuck on roadways – abandoned after their drivers attempted to drive through the deep water. New Jersey also experienced flash flooding although the water levels are not considered to be something to become overly concerned about.
A slow moving rain system is moving its way through New York and flash flood watches are in effect until at least Monday evening. The heavy rainfall and flooding Sunday was the cause of power outages and train service disruptions throughout metro New York. At JFK International Airport, 8 inches of rain fell Sunday night which is the most ever recorded there during a 24 hour period. The previous record was set back in the early 1980s at just over 6 inches, so says the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service also is warning residents in the greater New York area that the rainfall can go on into Tuesday. New York City’s Dept. of Environmental Protection had two dozen maintenance crews working overnight as well as numerous emergency repair crews.
In Queens, many homes were inundated with flood water. In some areas of the borough, four feet of water were left standing in basements of homes and businesses. Many affected residents had nowhere to go as they were surprised by the flooding and by how quickly it rushed into their garages and basements. Two thousand Con Ed customers were left without power Sunday in Brooklyn because manholes flooded and the storms knocked down several power lines.
The American Red Cross is providing affected families with temporary housing in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Many local beaches were shut down in the area due to concerns that bacteria could build up on them. News crews on Staten Island captured shocking video of motorists standing in waist to chest high water outside their vehicles at one intersection as several cars become totally submerged and had to be pulled to dry ground. Staten Island has had flooding problems in the past, but nothing on this scale. Many Staten Island residents report stagnant water in their basements due to poor drainage.
Tips to stay safe during hurricane storms
July 21, 2011
In early June, Hurricane Beatriz blew heavily on Mexico’s Pacific coast, putting major ports and tourist areas on high alert for flash floods and rainfall. There were a few causalities with a family of three dying and one teenager missing. According to weather reports what begun as random showers and thunderstorms off Central America on June 14, grew in strength and developed into tropical depression on Sunday, after which it turned into a tropical storm later and by early Monday evening, it was categorized as a ‘category one hurricane’. Dozens of trees have been reported to have fallen, causing injury to people and destruction of cars and other property. The start of the 2011 Hurricane season is in full effect and property owners should be weary of potential damages and flash flooding disasters.
In these adverse times, one has to be really careful about protecting life and property from tropical storms and hurricanes. Hurricane winds blow at 100 miles per hour and water. The water surge can be as high as 20 feet, these cyclones are dangerous and it is better to prepared especially for the months between June and November which are earmarked as hurricane season.
1. You have to expect the worst because you never know which form or intensity natural hazard can take. So listen to hurricane warnings and prepare your house and household. Make sure your vehicle has enough gas so that you can get out quickly if your home is at risk. Stack up things or strengthen the doors and windows. Bring in things from the yard inside, which can fly away under the influence of high flying winds. In case, your family members are not at one place, make a plan as to how you will coordinate and reach a safe zone.
2. If there are mandatory evacuations to leave home, please heed to them. If you think that you can withstand the hurricane force, you may be terribly mistaken especially if the authorities are clear about the impact of the storm.
3. Leave early, so that you are not caught in traffic jam. Take along the necessary kit, including food provisions, clothes, prescription medicines, importance documents, insurance papers, jewelry etc. Bring out these that cannot be insured by the insurance company like collector items and pictures. Large items like TV, furniture may be difficult to move because they will only slow down the evacuation process. Get cash ahead of time because ATMs will not work due to power cut during storms.
4. In case, it is difficult to leave your house, it is better to stay indoors. Also one important thing- do not venture out if the hurricane eye passes by your house, because the strong winds can lash out once the eye away. Stay away from doors and windows and stay put at the center of the house. This is because the windows may fly in and debris may rush in. There may be no grocery for a week and no electricity as well, so make arrangements for this one week in advance. It goes without saying that one has to reinforce windows and doors for double protection. Taping the windows is just a myth and does not offer any protection. Also do not venture to the basement and attic because they are prone to damage.
Tornados Leave Path Of Destruction In The South
April 19, 2011
North Carolina Took the Brunt of the Recent Tornado Chaos in the US, But Why?
The US state of North Carolina typically sees about 20 tornadoes a year. However, over this past weekend the state was hit by more than 60 twisters, part of a larger group of 243 twisters that tore across the southern US, killing dozens of people.
Over 100 people, both employees and shoppers were spared in Sanford, N.C. on Saturday inside a Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. The front half of that large store was crushed and totally demolished. Thanks to a quick thinking store manager who was doing what he were trained to do, everyone inside was ordered to the back of the building where there were fewer windows.
The severe weather that whipped across North Carolina brought with it flash flooding, hail and numerous tornadoes from the western portion of the state to the downtown area of Raleigh. A tornado found its favorite target in Raleigh – a mobile home park, shredding most of the trailers there and killing three family members. Eleven people lost their lives in Bertie County as homes were blown to bits, cars upturned and trees were pulled out from their roots.
Compared to the “Super Tuesday” tornado outbreak in early 2008 that killed 56 people in four southern US states, this past weekend’s storm activity spawned 243 tornadoes stretching from Oklahoma to Virginia. Of the 45 people who were killed, 22 of them were in North Carolina. Rescue teams are still searching for victims so that number may very well rise.
It is rare for the state of North Carolina to see such severe storm activity. Tornado-alley type twisters are linked to warm air from the south meeting cold fronts dipping down from Canada. However, residents throughout the state are reporting that they clearly saw twisters in the skies overhead as the storm heavily damaged over 100 homes and totally destroyed more than 60. Some residents describe seeing “Wizard of Oz” like scenes as heavy debris was flying through the air seemingly effortlessly. One couple in Balden County told the AP that it took them a few minutes after a twister passed by to realize that their home had been completely turned around on its foundation. Their house is now sitting in what used to be their backyard.
Tornado experts think that the deep dips of cold air into the south have chilled the region over the past two winters. They believe that this unusually cold air reaching south is what played a major role in this past weekend’s super storm cell that slammed North Carolina
Wind-Driven Snow Covers East Coast, Snarls Traffic on Ground and In Air
December 28, 2010
The three major airports connecting New York with the rest of the world resumed flights after the worst December blizzard in sixty years left travelers struggling in waist high drifts and 60 mile per hour winds.
Central Park recorded twenty inches of snow by Monday morning, the most the park has received since 1948, so says the National Weather Service. The skies were clear Monday Morning over New York but the agency issued further snow warnings to residents in Boston and up into Maine. The storm put a major damper on after-Christmas sales and it may take retailers at least two weeks to recover from lost sales.
New Jersey was the epicenter of the storm. Bergen County received as much as twenty-nine inches of snow by Monday morning – shattering records there. That county reported wind gusts of up to 70 mph in some areas, which made travel all-but-impossible. Local television and radio stations were cautioning people to stay at home and not to venture out on streets and roads. Most took heed but many did not and ended up being stuck in waist-deep snow and being forced to leave their vehicles on roadways.
Thousands of flights were canceled all across the East Coast, causing air traffic delays country-wide on one of the most traveled holidays in the United States. Amtrack cut its service to a large portion of the East as did several bus lines due to high drifting and winds that would not subside. The storm dumped snow as far south as parts of Jacksonville, Florida which delighted some but caused many problems on roadways as snow tires are not used in that portion of the country.
The snowfall totals were large but the Blizzard of 2010 did not bring the Northeast entirely to its knees. Schools were already closed for the holidays and in many cases parents already had time off from work. Public officials in numerous states told people to stay at home, but in fact, millions already had planned to. In other words, it could have been far worse so the timing was a blessing in a way but a nightmare for the hundreds of thousands of people who were attempting to make it back home after being away for Christmas.
Snow can create roof damage and water leak problems
November 11, 2010
During the winter season, snow damage to house roofs is always a problem faced by many homeowners in places where snow falls. The buildup of heavy snow and the accumulation of ice do not only damage the roof but the house walls and ceilings as well. Aside from the inconvenience, the damage is also costly. Most homeowners leave the repair and cleaning to professionals as it can be risky to just do it themselves especially when there are icicles building up on the roof edges.
Occurrence of Ice Dams and Water Leaks
Snow buildup on the roof can be melted through the interior heat coming from the house. When the snow starts to melt, ice dams are created in areas where water flows on the roof, gutter, and downspouts. Ice dams are specifically common to sloping roofs. Once the water flows down to the colder eaves, it tends to refreeze. Eventually, dams of ice are formed out of the frozen snowmelt.
The water from the melting snow is then backed up beneath the roof covering and produces interior water damage through water leaks in the attic, flashings, or along the wall exteriors. The leak is triggered by the heat coming from the interior of the house. Water leaks may also be caused by water that is trapped in the drains of flat roofs. To fix this, homeowners can remove the downspout and open the drain to allow water to flow freely.
Ice that is formed in gutters and downspouts should be taken out right away. It may cause damage on the roof and the gutters themselves. In worse cases, the gutters may be removed from the roof to prevent further damage.
Roof Damage through Attic Condensation
One other cause of roof and attic damage is the condensation of water vapor that usually happens in the colder areas of the attic. High levels of humidity from the interior trigger warm air to transfer into the attic and cause condensation. When condensation occurs, it can cause the wood structure to rot, which means another expense for repairing water damage.
If the roof has skylights, internal condensation is not possible to happen so the moisture turns into water and causes leaks because the “weep holes” are completely covered. The homeowner must quickly remove the snow and ice that are building up around the skylight.
Dealing with Snow and Ice Damage
If there is no necessary prevention and preparation before winter comes, the roof system is definitely going to incur damages brought about by snow and ice. The best solution is to contact professional contractors to take care of the damage. However, this may also mean additional expense to cover for the replacement of any damaged parts.
North Carolina Property Owners Endeavor to Be Prepared for Natural Disasters
September 28, 2010
This month, some areas in North Carolina are experiencing heavy rains and thunderstorms. In Wilmington, locals are dealing with stormy weathers, while North Carolina Piedmont had experienced 4 inches of rain last week. In select areas, motorists were trapped because of the water level and were rescued by firefighters and emergency teams. In an effort to ensure everyone’s safety, firefighters went door-to-door warning residents of the water level increase in creeks near their homes, and were advised to seek temporary shelter.
Although fortunate not to have experienced very severe conditions, North Carolina cities, towns, and counties are quite prone to storms. In March of this year, CNN reported that severe storms hammered various areas in the state, with at least 8 tornadoes destroying homes, overturning mobile homes, and ripping neighborhood trees.
In response to this, several organizations working hand-in-hand with FEMA have devised ways and techniques to counter and at least reduce the aftermaths of storms. They want to ensure that local residents and business operators are properly educated about hurricane risks and storm surge flooding. Everyone is advised to assess the risks in the area where their properties are situated, and are required to regularly inspect their property for potential problems that could arise when storms and other natural calamities strike.
North Carolina areas that are frequently hit by storms, such as Cape Hatteras and Morehead City have strictly implemented pre and post disaster plans including the development of evacuation centers and shelters to take care of residents whose homes have been destroyed or severely damaged. The local communities are advised to always pay close attention to hurricane warnings by staying tuned to the radio, TV, and weather updates. To help reduce the extent of damage, the government agencies tasked to handle natural disaster mitigation have been:
1. Promoting land use planning
2. Elevating structures that are within the hazard zones
3. Encouraging homeowners and property owners to secure flood insurance
4. Enforcing effective building standards
5. Advising homeowners and property owners to secure hurricane straps in walls and foundations
The collaboration between government agencies and the local community has certainly gone a long way in helping to address the concerns of the people in the state to ensure their safety and prevent a disaster from becoming even worse.
In addition, homeowners and business owners also seek the help of professional disaster cleanup services when their properties get affected or even damaged due to the storms. There are companies that provide the following:
1. Property repair for water and storm damage
2. Mold remediation
3. Property restoration
These services are very important and in-demand when natural disasters strike, particularly during the hurricane season.
Flooding Disaster Carpet Cleaning in Four Steps
August 3, 2010
One of the major problems of flooding is dealing with a wet carpet. It can be such a hassle however it is something that needs to be attended to immediately or else it could result to dire consequences, specifically to those living in the house.
Wet Carpet Problems
In a flooding disaster, carpets and floorings that have been left for days without drying could result to the growth of molds and formation of mold colonies, which can cause respiratory problems. Moreover, it could also result to you having to throw away your carpet and get it replaced, which could mean additional expenses. For this reason, it is but necessary to take it upon yourself to save your carpet, which in turn, could keep your loved ones safe and at the same time, save you money.
Steps in Saving Your Carpet
The good news is that even though it may initially seem like a daunting task, saving your carpet after a flooding disaster is not that difficult to do. Here are 4 steps to take in order to protect your carpet from further damage and ensuring that you will still be able to use it in spite of being wet.
1. Firstly, you need to make sure that you follow safety precautions. For one, you need to have safety paraphernalia including hand gloves and safety masks. Wearing these will keep you from exposing yourself to germs, viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
2. Secondly, make an assessment of the extent of damage. How wet is the carpet? If it is completely soaked, then you may need the help of a restoration service provider to dry it. There may even be times when the carpet can really no longer be salvaged due to the presence of molds on it. However, for partly wet carpets, you can simply let it out to dry under the sun, or use a vacuum cleaner and electric fan to dry it.
3. Thirdly, after the assessment, you can then proceed with the drying process. Again, for carpets that need extensive cleaning and drying, the best option is to hire professional services for everybody’s safety. Now for drying that you can do on your own, make sure that you cover every inch and corner of the carpet. Use vacuum cleaners, fans, and dehumidifiers. As another safety precaution, check the electrical outlet first to find out if it is dry and has not been affected by the flood. You may need to take the carpet out for sunlight exposure if all outlets are wet or if the carpet is too wet for the vacuum cleaner to dry.
4. Lastly, deodorize and clean the carpet. Check for any traces of dampness and mold growth and use only if none are present. If necessary, repeat the cleaning process again just to ascertain that it will not pose any health problems to anyone in the house.
