Flood Safety
The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety has released a set of flood safety tips on their website.
Urban Flooding with the National Weather Service
The Monsoon Season in New Mexico can be a great time of rejuvenation for the desert and mountainous landscape as much of the year’s precipitation falls during this time frame. However, there are often times adverse or hazardous byproducts of thunderstorms, not the least of which is flash flooding. Watch as we review the threats of flash flooding and dive into the specifics of urban flash flooding and the dangers of arroyos and flood channel diversions throughout Albuquerque. Lieutenant Chris Carlsen of the Albuquerque Fire Department joins us and shares his perspective as a firefighter, often called to perform swift water rescue deployments during flash flooding events.
Why More Homeowners Should Buy Flood Insurance
CBS News has an article on the need for flood insurance in the wake of devastating Texas Flooding. Read the full article here.
Scout Dies at Philmont Scout Ranch
A Boy Scout has died during a flash flood at Philmont Scout Ranch in Northern New Mexico. News story here: http://www.koat.com/news/boy-scout-killed-in-flooding/33817388
FEMA launches NFIP Call Center Pilot Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on June 15 launched a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) call center pilot program to serve and support policyholders with the servicing of their claims. Flood insurance claims can be complicated, and policyholders may have questions in the days and weeks following a disaster. The NFIP call center is reachable at 1-800-621-3362, and will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (CDT) Monday through Friday. Specialists will be available to assist policyholders with the servicing of their claims, provide general information regarding their policies, and/or offer technical assistance to aid in recovery. For those who prefer to put their concerns in writing, a “Request for Support” form is posted here, which can be filled out and emailed or faxed to 540-504-2360. Call center staff will be able to answer questions, including questions such as “How do I file a flood insurance claim? What type of documentation is needed? Can I still obtain disaster assistance even though I have a flood policy?” as well as more complicated insurance questions about the extent of coverage and policy ratings. The call center also will be open to disaster survivors who have general questions about the NFIP. Have the following information available when calling: contact information (name, telephone number, email address if applicable); policy number; address of damaged property; and name of flood insurance carrier. The NFIP call center pilot program is part of FEMA’s ongoing commitment to effective, long-term improvements to the NFIP.
Preventing Mold After a Flood
PREVENTING MOLD: CLEAN IT, DRY IT OR DISCARD IT
Not all of the damage from flooding takes place while your home or business is under water. Long after the flood waters have receded, mold and mildew can present serious and ongoing health issues.
Oklahomans impacted by the severe storms and flooding that took place between May 5 and June 4 should take steps to protect the health of their family or employees by treating or discarding mold- and mildew-infected items as soon as possible.
Health experts urge those who find mold to act fast. Cleaning mold quickly and properly is essential for a healthy home or work place, especially for people who suffer from allergies or asthma.
Mold and mildew can start growing within 24 hours after a flood, and can lurk throughout a home or business, from the attic and basement to crawl spaces and store rooms. The best defense is to clean, dry or discard moldy items. A top-to-bottom cleanup is your best defense, according to the experts.
Many materials are prone to developing mold if they remain damp or wet for too long. Start a post-flood cleanup by sorting all items exposed to floodwaters:
- Wood and upholstered furniture and other porous materials can trap mold and may need to be discarded.
- Carpeting presents a problem because drying it does not remove mold spores. Carpets with mold and mildew should be removed.
- Glass, plastic and metal objects and other items made of hardened or nonporous materials can often be cleaned, disinfected and reused.
All flood-dampened surfaces should be cleaned, disinfected and dried as soon as possible. Follow these tips to ensure a safe and effective cleanup:
- Open windows for ventilation and wear rubber gloves and eye protection when cleaning. Consider using a mask (rated N-95 or higher) if heavy concentrations of mold are present.
- Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent to clean all areas and washable items that came in contact with floodwaters.
- Mix 1.5 cups of household bleach in one gallon of water and thoroughly rinse and disinfect the area. Never mix bleach with ammonia, as the fumes are toxic.
- Cleaned areas can take several days to dry thoroughly. The use of heat, fans and dehumidifiers can speed up the drying process.
- Check all odors. Mold often hides in the walls or behind wall coverings. Find all mold sources and clean them properly.
- Remove and discard all materials that can’t be cleaned like wallboard, fiberglass and other fibrous goods. Clean the wall studs where wallboard has been removed and allow the area to dry thoroughly before replacing the wallboard.
For other tips about post-flooding cleanup, visit www.fema.gov, www.oem.ok.gov, www.epa.gov, or www.cdc.gov.
Image credit The Why Files
FEMA NFHL and Stay Dry Data
FEMA has released new NFHL and Stay Dry Data for use in Google Earth. Data is available to download here or from FEMA’s site directly. Instructions on using the data within Google Earth can be found here.
More TADD Press
KRQE has done a story about the Turn Around Don’t Drown signs that have been going up in New Mexico recently. NMFMA Chair Dave Turk was interviewed for the piece.
Turn Around Don’t Drown PSA
New Turn Around Don’t Drown PSA available from the NWS on YouTube.