Coastal Storms in Carolinas Could Cause Substantial Damage
May 24, 2010
The Carolinas are often on the receiving end of large hurricanes that make their way up the east coast. Both the Palmetto and Tar Heel state have suffered a significant amount of damage by large storms such as Hurricane Floyd that moved into the area a few years back. However, it is not just hurricanes that ravage North and South Carolina but rather storms that come up from the Gulf of Mexico or others parts of the southeast that do a lot of damage. Tropical storms often bring heavy rains to Charlotte and Raleigh as the rugged terrain of that region generates lift in the atmosphere, squeezing out an abundance of available moisture.
Residents in these two states are often victims of flooding. Suddenly, homes are disrupted and properties put in shambles following heavy rains that swell local rivers – causing them to overflow their banks. The damage incurred from flood waters can range from mild – such as carpet staining, to great – such as structural damage and floor and wall warping. Regardless of how severe, any water damage can transform your home or business into an unfamiliar place to you. Thankfully there are many flood cleanup services available in both states that will remove the dirty water and clean up the area. Mold remediation services are also available which will assess the building for any possible mold growth.
A flood cleanup is one type of task that is best handled by a professional company. There is no telling when a flood may strike in your area but it always is best to be prepared with the contact number of your chosen cleaning firm nearby. Cleaning up following a flood involves a whole lot of work and can be dangerous. No matter what type of damage has been done – be it soaked drywall, water-stained carpets or total devastation of an entire floor, your home or business can be totally restored when you call in a professional remediation company.
In South Carolina there are many homes that were built in the once-considered-safe low country in the southern salt march area. But as investors snatched up more property and began building homes, eager, future homeowners bought up the properties as quickly as they were readied for occupancy. Today, thanks to rising sea levels, many of these homes are at high risk for flooding. During the most recent hurricanes, coastal residents learned that living near the ocean is dangerous, and it will only worsen with each passing year. In fact, a marine scientist at the University of South Carolina, Belle Baruch, warns that some coastal wetlands in South Carolina will be totally underwater within the next fifty years.
Recent storms in Michigan increase the chances of of flash flooding
May 14, 2010
The same storm system that brought tornadoes back to the southern Plains states earlier this week will continue to ignite damaging and dangerous thunderstorms from mid-Texas to Michigan.
Michigan has been experiencing flooding downpours which will create problems for state residents and roadways. A wide band of drenching rain and thunderstorms is spreading into Michigan which could bring several inches of new rain to the area. Many towns and cities in lower and central Michigan are situated by rivers, so the threat of flooding is real and something Michiganders are keeping their eyes on. Much of the ground in Michigan is already saturated following recent rains, making the region all the more susceptible to flooding. Detroit has received the same amount of rain already this month as they normally due during the entire month of May, concerning homeowners with riverside property.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for several Michigan counties that are situated near major rivers. Caution is being urged when walking near riverbanks and local residents in these areas are being asked to report any flooding they see so that other residents can be warned. Heavy rain is possible in the state, especially along and south of Interstate I-96 in Allegan County.
It is advisable to not only keep an eye on the weather forecasts and warnings, but to prepare your property for the possibility of flooding. Discovering several inches of rain inside your home or business is one of the worst experiences in life, but by taking a few precautions, you may be able to advert this type of disaster. By clearing gutters and downspouts, grading your lawn so that water will travel away from your home and installing domed covers on basement windows, you may be able to keep water out of your house.
Flooding can also be avoided by city officials and volunteers filling and stacking sandbags along the edge of rapidly swelling rivers. When the threat of a flood is imminent, often cities and townships will offer residents sand and bags at no cost. The recent horrible flooding that hit parts of the northeast and in southern states such as Tennessee reminded us all of just how devastating storm flooding can be.
If a flood does occur due to Michigan severe weather, it is advisable not to venture out in the dirty, flowing water as the currents are normally strong enough to carry you and even your vehicle away. Sadly, many accidents of this nature do occur in flood zones, so to avoid becoming a statistic, be sure to steer clear of flooded areas.
Aid Pours into Nashville for Flood Relief
May 5, 2010
On Tuesday, May 4th, 2010, President Barack Obama signed a Tennessee Disaster Declaration and ordered federal assistance to the recovery efforts in the areas of the state that were hit hard by massive flooding. A White House press release stated that the assistance will include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low interest loans and other programs to help homeowners and businesses get back on their feet after the epic storm damage.
FEMA is on the scene, busily surveying the damage in several counties in Tennessee this week and urged affected residents and business owners to apply for assistance now by registering online at the federal government’s disaster assistance website. The American Red Cross is also on the job in several locations to assist people to ensure shelter, food and clothing are available to those forced to leave their homes.
Residents of Cheatham, Davidson, Hickman and Williamson counties are eligible to receive federal funding, which comes as a huge relief for thousands. People all across the flood ravaged areas of Tennessee are very eager to begin the laborious clean-up tasks but they first have to wait for the flood waters to recede. Many residents are finding their way back to their homes for the first time in days following the widespread thunderstorms that dropped a record amount of rain on the region and what many are finding is not the least bit pleasant.
The expansive Cumberland River crested at around 10 pm Monday at 52 feet, which is 12 feet over flood stage. The rain has stopped for now and this much needed break in rainfall is expected to last until at least l May 7th when more bad weather many move in. However, until then, the region’s streams and rivers are returning to their banks allowing officials the time needed to access the damage done.
In Nashville, fire chief Kim Lawson said that he is afraid that some dead bodies will be discovered once the flooding recedes and the more remote areas are checked. Already, there are 29 deaths being blamed on flooding in Tennessee and in the neighboring states of Kentucky and Mississippi since last weekend.
The water supply in Nashville was compromised when one of its two treatment facilities flooded. Thankfully the second plant was saved by the filling and stacking of sandbags done by county jail inmates who worked hard for over 32 hours. Downtown Nashville was hit hard, including the iconic Music Center that many people depend on for their livelihoods.
Flooding in Tennessee Leaves State Numb
May 3, 2010
The heavy rains that lashed parts of Tennessee are expected to continue today after killing at least eleven people. The residents of Nashville are bracing for the Cumberland River to crest soon at or around fifty feet, which is ten feet above flood level. The river, which winds itself through downtown Nashville, reached its highest level since the early 1960s.
A devastating line of thunderstorms slammed into Tennessee and northern Mississippi over the weekend, closing numerous roadways and leaving residents to face weeks of cleanup. Thousands of people were evacuated and hundreds of others had to be rescued from their homes. Some reported having had to literally swim out of their living rooms in order to make it to their rooftops while still more were forced to swim to boats moving in to scoop them up out of the cold and dirty raging waters.
Schools, hospitals and state buildings were flood damaged while the Opryland resort’s 1,500 guests were forced to stay the night in a nearby high school to stay out of harm’s way. Downtown Nashville itself is not home to so many residents, but it is home to a very busy tourist industry and financial center, a train station and LP field where the Tennessee Titans play.
In South Nashville, firefighters broke out windows of one home early on Sunday to rescue an entire family, including three small children. One of the young boys woke up the adults, saying that water was pouring inside – within just ten minutes, the water was knee deep.
The governor of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen called this disaster an “unprecedented rain event”. In just two days, over 13 inches of rain poured down on the Nashville area, doubling the old record of 6.68 inches that fell during Hurricane Fredrick in 1979.
Some of the worst flood damage occurred in Music City which is just outside Nashville as well as all across the middle and western sections of the state. The rescue scenes sometimes looked like something straight out of Hollywood with homeowners being plucked off their roofs and a very noticeably pregnant woman being airlifted off a highway. Evacuation after evacuation took place including having to move hundreds of residents from a nursing home to dry land.
Nashville major Karl Dean told city residents to stay home Monday as more rain is expected. There are no city buses or trains running and all of the schools in the area will remain closed until further notice.
