Whether it’s a natural disaster, like a hurricane, or it’s a hazardous material spill, a disease outbreak, or any kind of disaster that may befall us, it’s a good idea to be as prepared as you can be. These articles address all the different types of disasters that we may encounter and give great tips on preparedness. For more details on how to prepare for any kind of disaster, check out the U.S. Government site Ready.gov.
While taking refuge in an underground storm cellar or basement may be among the safest ways to ride out a tornado, you may find that neither are feasible options where you live. Since having a safe place inside your home is critical to protect your family in the event a severe storm cell heads your...
Once you’ve ensured that everyone in your family is unharmed after a tornado, it’s natural to turn your attention to the extent of the damage to your property. Since tornados have the ability to create widespread and unparalleled damage to even the most well-made structures, you may not know where to begin. Following these steps...
Whether you live in a brand new house or one that’s been standing for quite a while, you may find that the protection your home will afford your family during a tornado isn’t what you’d hoped. Remember, there are steps you can take now to make your home safer if a tornado heads your way....
A thorough review of the extensive damage in south Florida from Hurricane Andrew in 1992 – one of only three Category 5 storms ever to hit the U.S. mainland – concluded that homes have four weak points when it comes to the low air pressure and high winds from a hurricane. One of those weak...
Whenever a disaster like a hurricane has occurred, there have been widespread cases of contractor fraud, according to the Insurance Information Institute. It was true after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and after Superstorm Sandy in 2012. According to one published report, there were more than 9,000 cases of contractor fraud...
If there is a disaster in your area, whether it’s a hurricane or some other event, you can rest assured there will be contractor fraud. The problem is one of demand. Disasters such as Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans or Superstorm Sandy in the New Jersey, New York and other northeastern states left thousands of...
Storms and disasters usually trigger the most serious power outages, which means they not only last a long time but often occur in the middle of the winter or the height of summer and the hurricane season. In New Orleans, the average high temperature was above 90 degrees for the three weeks after Hurricane Katrina...
A study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency determined that windows are among the four weak links in a home as far as a hurricane is concerned. Applying masking tape to your windows provides only minimal benefit, according to experts. The greatest danger is from flying objects and tape won’t help your windows withstand trash...
Whether you are considering building a home or rebuilding because of damage from a hurricane or other disaster, it’s time to think about using concrete drywall. For many storm victims, if the Sheetrock survived the storm and did not have to be removed because it was blown down or soaked, repairing the structure would have been...
You’re building a new home, perhaps in the aftermath of a disaster, and your goal is a structure that is much more likely to survive a powerful storm. Check with your contractor, but the key areas of the house to fortify are the doors, roof and windows, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Another issue...