Flood Damage Restoration
ByNATURAL DISASTERS OFTEN STRIKE without warning, leaving behind a
trail of unfathomable destruction and devastation. Though none of
Mother Nature’s disasters are entirely predictable,few storms strike with the unexpected
ferocity of flash floods. This issue of the Newsline focuses on information and safety
tips for the United States’ most common and deadly disaster. Unexpected emergencies like flash floods call for immediate action. First responders, such as local police and fire departments,
often must intervene for the safety of their residents as flood waters rise. But after
the flood waters have subsided, your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional knows
immediate reaction to the disaster can be just as important.
Utilizing our 1-4-8 Service Response
Guidelines, your SERVPRO® Franchise
Professional strives to:
- Contact you or your insured within
1 hour from notice of loss to arrange
for service. - Be on-site to begin mitigation services
within 4 hours of notification. - Provide verbal briefing of scope to
the appropriate agent, resident or
business owner within 8 business
hours of on-site arrival.
MYTH
Large cars and sports utility vehicles
should be able to navigate in
deeper flood waters.
TRUTH
Just two feet of swiftly moving
flash flood water is enough to
float most vehicles – even larger
cars and trucks.
MYTH
Flash floods occur only along
rivers and streams.
TRUTH
Flash floods can occur nearly
anywhere – even in urban areas.
MYTH
Homeowners insurance policies
cover flood damage.
TRUTH
The vast majority of these policies
do not cover flood damage.
The Facts on Flash Floods
FLOODS ARE THE MOST COMMON AND costly natural disaster in the United States.
According to running up a $2.4 billion-per-year tab in average annual losses from 1994-2004.1
While some of Mother Nature’s more demonstrative displays, such as hurricanes, tornados and
earthquakes, get more public attention, floods are the number one weather-related killer in the
U.S.
Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of flood, because they combine the nearly unstoppable
force of a flood with deadly unpredictability and speed. According to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more than half of all flash flood fatalities are related to
automobiles.
The truth is as simple as it is tragic:
Just six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock a grown man off his feet, and just two feet
of water can cause a car to begin floating. Should a flash flood strike your area, your local
SERVPRO® Franchise Professional wants you to be equipped with the following tips to help keep
you safe.
SAFETY TIPS:
- You cannot outrun a flash flood. Get to
higher ground! - Stay away from and keep children away
from drainage ditches and storm drains. - Never drive into water covering the road.
You do not know how deep it is or if the
road underneath the water has been
washed away. - If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately
and seek higher ground if it is safe to do so. - Be especially cautious at night when it is
difficult to recognize flood dangers. - Do not attempt to cross flowing water if
the water is above ankle level.
Top 11 States for Flood Losses:
State Total Payments
1 Louisiana $15,891,996,906
2 Texas $4,923,448,292
3 Florida $3,516,835,046
4 Mississippi $2,832,195,417
5 Alabama $926,650,675
6 New Jersey $851,817,897
7 North Carolina $769,765,536
8 Pennsylvania $738,974,655
9 New York $595,700,712
10 Missouri $541,425,803
11 California $479,760,187
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
UNINTENTIONAL CARBON MONOXIDE poisoning claims more than 500 lives and sends over 15,000 people to the emergency room each year in America, according to a study by the Center for Disease Control. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless and colorless gas that is toxic to humans and animals. Because humans cannot detect CO with their senses, carbon monoxide can kill you before you are aware it is affecting you. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, low levels of CO exposure cause mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue. Carbon monoxide can come from several sources including charcoal grills, motor vehicles, wood burning fireplaces and generators.
SAFETY TIPS
- Install at least one CO alarm with an
audible warning alarm near the sleeping
areas of your home. Ensure the alarm has
been evaluated by a recognized laboratory,
such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). - Have a qualified professional check all
fuel-burning appliances and furnaces at
least once per year. - Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi or a
power generator in an enclosed space, like
a garage. Even if the door is open, the CO
may not be properly ventilated. - Never keep a car running in the garage.
- Never use a range or oven to help heat your home.
