Guide y · 2016-08-16 · Flooded roads are weakened, ditches are hard to distin-guish from roads and bridges may be washed out. Never go around a police barricade. or drive cautiously

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yGuide

Storm Recovery Guide

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�. BeSafe:StayHealthyafteraDisaster..................................................................................................... 4 SafetyinaDisasterArea..........................................................................................................................................4 DangersofDebris....................................................................................................................................................4 ApproachingandEnteringaDamagedBuilding.....................................................................................................5 FoodandWaterSafety.............................................................................................................................................5 YouMayRunintoCrittersinUnusualPlaces.........................................................................................................6 AvoidingMoldHazards...........................................................................................................................................7 TheseareTryingTimes............................................................................................................................................8

�. SurvivingandRecoveringfromaPowerOutage.................................................................................. �0 UsingGeneratorsforElectricalPower..................................................................................................................10 PlayitSafewithFood............................................................................................................................................11 HowtoCookwhenthePowerGoesOff................................................................................................................12 RemovingOdorsfromRefrigeratorandFreezer...................................................................................................12 PowerOutageinWinter.........................................................................................................................................13

�. RestoringStorm-damagedBuildings..................................................................................................... �4 DeterminingStructuralDamage............................................................................................................................14 PreliminaryRepairs...............................................................................................................................................15 DryWelltoPreventDecay.....................................................................................................................................15 FloodingandDamage-causingPests(termites,boringinsects,fungi)..................................................................16 RepairingtheRoofAfteraStorm..........................................................................................................................17 StrengthenWeakPoints.........................................................................................................................................184. SalvagingWater-damagedBelongings................................................................................................... �9 CaringforLargeElectricalAppliances..................................................................................................................19 SalvagingandCleaningFurniture.........................................................................................................................20 CleaningCarpetsandFloors..................................................................................................................................21 CleaningStorm-soakedClothing...........................................................................................................................21

5. LawnandGardenLosses........................................................................................................................ �� SalvageTips...........................................................................................................................................................22 TreeDebrisandRenewal.......................................................................................................................................23 AssessingLandscapeTreeLoss.............................................................................................................................23 SmallFruitStrategiesafteraStorm.......................................................................................................................24 SalinityandTurfgrassafteraHurricane................................................................................................................25

6. FinancialRecoveryandRiskManagement............................................................................................ �6 DocumentingLossesandClaims...........................................................................................................................26 FilingforInsurance................................................................................................................................................26 Homeowner’sInsurance.........................................................................................................................................26 FloodInsurance......................................................................................................................................................27 CreditandOtherSourcesofRelief........................................................................................................................28 ContractingforRepairsandRebuilding................................................................................................................28 ContractEssentials.................................................................................................................................................29

Table of Contents

4 Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 1

• Learntorecognizeanddealwithstress.• Ifyougetascratch,cutorbrushburnfromflooddebris

andhavenothadatetanusboosterinthelastfewyears,consultyourdoctorimmediately.

DangersofDebrisDebrisishazardous.Itoftenhassharporroughedges;

itmaycausefalls;itmaycontainhazardousmaterialsuchasasbestos,leadorfiberglass;anditmayhavebeencon-taminatedwithchemicalsorgermsbythefloodorstorm.

ContaminationFloodwatermayhaveflowedthroughthelocalsewer-

agesystembeforereachingyourproperty.Ifithascomefromupriver,itmaycontaincontaminatedrunoff.Suchwatermayhaveelevatedlevelsoffecalcoliformandchemicals.Floodwatersmayhavepickeduppesticides,herbicides,fertilizers,gasolineandotherchemicalscom-monlyheldinhouseholdstorageareas.

Thebacteriawhichcausetetanus,orlockjaw,mayliedormantinsoil.Thisiswhycutsfromtoolsorotherobjectsthathavebeenonthegroundareparticularlyhaz-ardous.Oncethedormantforms(spores)oftetanusenterthebody,theybegintomultiplyandformapowerfultoxinthataffectsmuscles.Themostcommonsymptomsareastiffnessoftheneckmusclesandpainfulspasmsofthejawmuscles.Othermusclespasmsmayoccurlater.Tetanusfrequentlycausesdeath.Symptomsoftetanusmayappearfromfourdaystothreeweeksafterthewoundisinfected.AbouthalfthetetanuscasesintheUnitedStatesresultfrominjuriesconsideredtrivialatthetimetheyhappen.

Ifyouhavenothadimmunizationagainsttetanusandreceiveascratch,cutorbrushburn,consultaphysicianimmediately.Animmediateinjectionoftetanusantitoxinwilllastlongenoughtopreventinfectionfromdeveloping,ifgivenintime.

HazardousMaterialsSomeofthedebrisonyourpropertymaycontain

asbestos(roofing,siding,flooringtiles)orbepaintedwithlead-basedpaint(pre-1978paint).Airborneasbestosandleaddustaredangeroustoinhaleoringest(eat),buttheyaregenerallyharmlesswhenwet.Theyshouldbehandledwithglovesandbaggedwhilewet.Fiberglassfibersfrominsulationwillirritateskinandlungsaftercontactorifinhaled;collectcarefullyandbag.

BurningInareaswhereburningispermitted,beparticularly

carefulnottoburnasphaltroofing,vinylsidingoranyformoftreatedlumber.Thesmokecancauseeyeandlung

Theforcesofnature–wind,water,earthquakeandextremesoftemperature–canleavebehinddebris-strewnareas,contaminatedwater,spoiledfood,displacedwildlifeandconditionswhich,ifnottreatedproperly,mayleadtohealthproblems.Inthesepagesyou’llfindinformationtohelpyouavoidandrecoverfromsomeofthehazardscre-atedbywindandwater;severewinterweatheriscoveredinaseparatepublication.Remembertotakecareofyour-selfandyourfamilyfirst,thendealwiththethingsyoumayhavelosttothedisaster.

SafetyinaDisasterArea• Keeparadioonsoyoucanhearbulletinsandotheran-

nouncements.• Avoidriding,drivingorwalkingthroughafloodedarea.

Floodedroadsareweakened,ditchesarehardtodistin-guishfromroadsandbridgesmaybewashedout.Nevergoaroundapolicebarricade.

• Walkordrivecautiously.Debris-filledstreetsaredan-gerous.Infloodedareas,washoutsmayhaveweakenedroadsandbridges,andtheycouldcollapseundertheweightofyourvehicle.

• Don’ttouchanybuilding,carorotherstructurethathasafallenpowerlinetouchingit.Callaprofessionalelectricianorpowercompanyrepresentativetoremovetheline.

• Don’tuseflamesorsparkingdevicesuntilyou’resurethereisnonaturalgasleakinginthearea.

• Becarefularounddamagedbuildingsandtrees.Thesemayfallifdamagedseverely.

• Wearprotectiveclothing,sturdyshoesandgloves.• Assumethatwatersuppliesarecontaminated.• Considerallfoodsthathavebeenincontactwithflood-

watertobecontaminated.• Beawarethatsnakes,rodentsandotheranimalsmay

havetakenrefugeinstormdebrisoreveninyourhome.Useapokingsticktoannounceyourapproachandal-lowanimalstoflee.

• Ifyouarebittenbyapoisonoussnake,don’ttrytotreatthebiteyourself.Gotothenearesthospitalfortreatmentimmediately.Makeamentalnoteoftheappearanceofthesnakeforidentificationandtreatmentpurposes.

• Keepsmallchildren,pregnantwomenandpeoplewithhealthproblemsawayfromthefloodedareasuntilcleanupiscomplete.

• Ifchildrenareinthearea,besuretheyaresafeandbe-ingcaredforatalltimes.Neverleaveyoungchildrenaloneorallowthemtoplayindamagedbuildingsorareasstrewnwithdebris.

Be Safe: Stay Healthy after a DisasterNatural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 1

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irritationorotherproblems.Don’tburnwoodwithlead-basedpaintsincetheleadfumesarepoisonous.

InfestationPropercleanupanddisposalofdebriswillreducethe

potentialfornestingbyrodents,snakesandinsects.Ifyourdebriswillnotbedisposedofquickly,besuretopileitasfarfromthebuildingaspossibletokeepinfestationsinaconcentratedareaawayfromthehome.Don’tletchildrenplayonorarounddebris.

ApproachingandEnteringaDamagedBuilding

Beforeenteringadamagedbuilding,checkforstruc-turaldamage.Makesurethebuildingisnotindangerofcollapsing.Lookforleaningwalls,saggingroofsandceil-ings,andweakenedsupportcolumns.• Turnoffanyoutsidegaslines,andletthehouseventi-

lateforseveralminutestoremoveescapinggas.• Besureallelectricserviceisturnedoffbeforeentering

forthefirsttime.Ifthemaindisconnectisinsidethehouse,itwouldbewisetocallyourutilitycompanyforassistance.Evenifpowerisoutinyourneighborhood,disconnectthemainswitch,fuseorcircuitbreakeratyourhome,anddisconnectallcircuits.

• Whenenteringthebuilding,don’tuseanopenflameasalightsource;useabattery-operatedflashlight.DONOTSMOKE.

• Entercarefully.Walkingsurfacesmaybeslipperyoruneven.Checkforasaggingceiling;wetinsulationorpocketedwatercancauseceilingstofall.Oncein,unplugallappliancesthathavebeenflooded.Remem-berthatsomeappliancescanshockyouevenafterthepoweristurnedoff.

Part3ofthispublicationdealswithdeterminingandstoppingstructuraldamage.

FoodandWaterSafety

WaterAfteramajorstormorflood,you

mustassumeallwatersourcesarecontaminateduntiltheyareprovedsafe.Purifyallwaterusedfordrink-ing,cookingandforwashingeatingandcookingutensils.Alsopurifythewaterusedforwashinghands,bodyandkitchenandbathroomsurfaces.DoNOTtrytouseorpurifywaterthathasadarkcolor,anodororcontainsfloatingmaterial.Notethatthepurificationproceduresoutlinedherereducebiologicalcontaminationonly;ifyoususpectchemicalcontamina-tion,donotusethewater.

ChooseONEofthesemethodstopurifywaterthathasbiologicalcontamination.Boilingisthemosteffectivemethodofdisinfectingofwater,particularlyforpeoplewhohaveseverelyweakenedimmunesystems(infectedwithHIV/AIDS,cancerandtransplantpatientstakingim-

munosuppressivedrugs,orpeoplebornwithaweakenedimmunesystem)andforinfantsandelderlywhowishtotakeextraprecautions.• Boilwaterforonefullminuteinacleancontainer.The

one-minuteboiltimebeginsafterthewaterhasbeenbroughttoarollingboil.(Theflattastecanbeelimi-natedbyshakingthewaterinabottleorpouringitfromonecontainertoanother.)

• Ifthewaterisclear,mix1/8teaspoonor16dropsofun-scented,liquidchlorinelaundrybleachwithonegallonofwaterandletitstandforatleast30minutespriortoconsumption.Ifthewateriscloudyorcolored,use1/4teaspoonpergallonofwater.Besuretomixthoroughly.Ifthetreatedwaterhasachlorinetaste,pouritfromonecleancontainertoanotherseveraltimes.

References: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, 2005 and Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, News Release, Drinking Water Warn-ing Issued to Southeast LA Residents, August 31, 2005

• Othertreatmentssuchasiodineorpurificationtabletsarenotrecommended.

WaterWellPurificationHowdoIcleananddisinfectmywellafteraflood?

Afteraflood,itisimportanttotakeeveryprecautiontoensurethesafetyofyourwellwater.First,itisnecessarytoinspectandcleanthewellandpumpbeforeusingthem.Youmaywanttohaveyourwaterwelldrillerorcontractorcheckoutthewellbeforeusingit.• Donotturnonthepumpuntilanelectricianorwell

contractorhascheckedthewiring.Thereisariskofelectricalshock!Aftertheproperinspectionshavetakenplace,runthepumpanddiscardthewateruntilthewellwaterrunsclear.

• Mostimportant,afteraflood,youshoulddisinfectthewell.Thiscanbeaccomplishedbyfollowingtheproce-duresoutlinedbelow;however,itisadvisabletohireawellcontractortodisinfectthewellforyou.

• Pumpthewellforseveralhourstoreducethecloudinessandcontaminantlevelsinthewater.

• Pour4gallonsofachlorinebleachsolutionintothewell.Chlorinebleachsolutionconsistsof1gallonofbleachwith3gallonsofcleanwater.Openeveryfaucetandpumpthewateruntilthewatercomingoutofthefaucetsmellslikechlorine,andthenturnoffeachfau-cet.Ifyoudonotsmellchlorineatthefaucet,addalittlemorechlorinesolutionuntilthesmellisdetected.

• Letthesystemsitfor24hours.• Openthefaucetsandrunthewateruntilthechlorine

smelldisappears.• Havethewatersampledandtested.ThewaterISNOT

safefordrinkinguntillabresultsshownoindicationoftotalcoliformbacteria.Youcandiscussthefinallabresultswiththelaborlocalparishhealthunit.Itisimportanttorememberthatdisinfectionwillnotremovechemicalswhichmayhavecontaminatedyourwelldur-ingaflood.

Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 1

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FoodsandFoodPreparationItemsContaminatedbyFloodWater

• Donoteatanyfoodthatmayhavecomeintocontactwithfloodwater.

• Discardallfoodthatcameincontactwithfloodwatersincludingcannedgoods.Itisimpossibletoknowifthecontainersweredamagedandthesealcompromised.

• Discardwoodencuttingboards,woodenspoons,plasticutensils,babybottlenipplesandpacifiers.Thereisnowaytosafelycleanthemiftheyhavecomeincontactwithcontaminatedfloodwaters.

• Thoroughlywashmetalpans,ceramicdishesanduten-silswithhotsoapywaterandsanitizebyboilingthemincleanwaterorbyimmersingthemfor15minutesinasolutionof1teaspoonofchlorinebleachperquartofwater.

• Cleanandsanitizeallkitchensurfaces,especiallythosethatmayhavebeencontaminatedbyfloodwaters.

• Washandsanitizeyourdishes,utensilsandkitchenap-pliancesbeforeusingthem.

FoodsFloodedWhile“onthevine”Discardanyfruitsandvegetablesyoudidnotharvest

beforeaflood.Thisappliestoanyfoodproductwhichwasmaturingormatureatthetimeoftheflood,bothaboveandbelowground.Examplesincludesquash,cabbage,broc-coli,tomatoes,potatoesandcarrots.Mosthomegardenplantswilldiefromtheflood.Intheabsenceofspecificresearchonthesafetyofproducefromaplantwhichwasexposedtofloodwaterbeforefruitset,andgiventheuncertaintyofwhatmayhavebeeninthefloodwater,theLSUAgCenterrecommendspullingupanddiscardingafloodedgardenandreplantingit.

YouMayRunintoCrittersinUnusualPlaces

Manyanimalsinthepathofamajorstormaredisplacedandlefthomeless.It’scom-montofindtheseanimalsseekingshelterandfoodinareasclosetopeople—inhouses,storagesheds,barnsandotherbuildings—andun-derdebris.Structuresdamagedinastormareparticularlyattractiveandprovideeasyaccessforwildlife.

Outdoors• Watchwhereyouplaceyourhandsandfeetwhenre-

movingorcleaningdebris.Ifpossible,don’tplaceyourfingersunderdebrisyouintendtomove.

• Wearsnake-proofbootsatleast10incheshighorsnakeleggingsinheavydebrisareaswheresnakesarelikelytobefound.

• Neverstepoverlogsorotherobstaclesunlessyoucanseetheotherside.

Assoonaspossibleafterastorm,removefromaroundhousesandbuildingsalldebristhatprovidesprotective

coverfordisplacedanimals.Keepthelawnandfieldveg-etationmowedatalowleveltoeliminateprotectivecover.Removeanypotentialfoodsource.

Rats,miceandsquirrelsareunwelcomepost-stormguests.Theycandamagepropertyand,inextremecases,poseapotentialhealthproblem.It’sagoodideatogetridofthem.Sealallopeningsaroundthehouseaquarter-inchandlargertoexcludesnakesandotheranimals.

TipsonRodentTrapsandBaits• Poisonbaitsregisteredforratandmousecontrolcontain

anticoagulantandnonanticoagulanttoxicants.Allrodentbaitsareeffectiveincontrollingthesepests.

• Snaptrapsareeffectiveincapturingnuisanceratsandmice.Successfultrapbaitsforthetriggermechanismincludebaconskin,peanutbutter,oatmealandcottonballs.Checktrapseachday.

• Traps,includingNo.0or1legholdtraps,boxtrapsandcagetraps,willcatchsquirrels.Regularrattrapswillcatchflyingsquirrels.Goodbaitsareapple,crackedcornandpecansremovedfromtheshell,peanutbutterandsunflowerseeds.

SnakesIntheSouth,therearemanymorespeciesof

nonpoisonoussnakesthanpoisonoussnakes.It’simportanttorealizebothpoisonous

andnonpoisonoussnakesarebeneficialtopeoplebykeepingrodentpopulationsdown.Sincerodentsarealsodisplacedbystorms,thisisespe-ciallyimportant.

Learntoidentifynonpoisonousandpoisonoussnakes.InformationonsnakeidentificationcanbeobtainedfrombookssuchasfieldguidesonamphibiansandreptilesfromthestatewildlifedepartmentorfromyourlocalLSUAgCenterOffice.

Ifyouencounterasnakeoutdoors,stepbackandallowittoproceedonitsway.Snakesusuallymoveslowly,andapersoncaneasilyretreatfromasnake’spath.Ifyoufindasnakeinyourhouse,trytoisolatethesnakewithinasmallareaofthehouse.

Nonpoisonoussnakescanbecapturedbypinningthemdownwithalongstickorpole,preferablyforkedatoneend,andthenscoopingthemupwithaflat-bladeshovel.Ifyouareuncomfortableremovingthesnakeyourself,seeksomeonewithinthecommunitywhohasexperiencehan-dlingsnakestodoitforyou.Agoodstartingpointisyourlocalanimalcontrolshelterorsheriff’sdepartment.

Asalastresort,youmayneedtokillapoisonoussnake.Clubitwithalongstick,rodorothertoolsuchasagardenhoe.Nevertrytokillapoisonoussnakewithanin-strumentthatbringsyouwithinthesnake’sstrikingrange(usuallyestimatedatlessthanone-halfthetotallengthofthesnake).

Nolegaltoxicantsorfumigantsareregisteredtokillsnakes.Repellentsareavailable,buttheyhavelimitedsuc-cess.


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NaturalHazardsSeries:RecoveryFor Your Health and Safety

“Blackmold”isameaninglesstermsincemanytypesareblack.IthasbecomeapopularlabelforStachybotrys,atoxigenicmoldthathasreceivedmajormediaattentionforitssuspected,yetnotproven,connectiontoseriousconditionsandinfantdeaths.

MoldTestingandRemediationServicesMoldtestinginahomeisnotusuallyneededandis

rarelyusefultoanswerhealthconcerns.Someinsurancecompaniesandlegalservicesmayrequiresamplingforevidence.Professionalmoldremediationcontractorsmaytestbeforeandaftercleanuptoverifythecleanup’seffec-tiveness.

Toprotectyourfamily’shealthandhome,makesurethemoldclean-upprocessisdoneassafelyandcompletelyaspossible–assoonaspossible.Usingawell-trainedandproperlyequippedprofessionalcanofferthesafestremedi-ation,butthisisoftennotpossibleformany.Ifyouhireacontractortoremovemold,seekalicensedmoldremedia-tioncontractorwithspecialtrainingandequipmentsuchasHEPAvacuumsanddehumidifiers.Getinwritingthecost,methodsandstepstobeused.ComparetheirprocedureswithEPA’sMoldRemediationInSchoolsandCommercialBuildingsavailableonlineatwww.epa.gov/mold.AlsoreviewtheCDC’sMoldPreventionStrategiesandPossibleHealthEffectsintheAftermathofHurricanesKatrinaandRitaavailableonlineatwww.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/re-port/

Do-It-YourselfMoldRemovalGuidelinesIfyouneedtoorchoosetocleanuponyourown,use

thesestepstodosoassafelyandeffectivelyasyoucanandrefertoEPA’sABriefGuideToMold,Moisture,andYourHomeatwww.epa.gov/mold.1.Wear Protective Gear:Alwaysweararespiratorrated

N-95orhigherwheninsideamoldyspace.Duringclean-up,alsowearglovesandgoggles.Gooutsidefre-quentlytobreathefreshair.Sometypesofrespiratorshavevalvestomakeiteasiertobreathe.Aproperlyfit-tedhalf-faceorfull-facerespiratorwithfiltercartridgesprovidesgreaterprotectionandcomfortthanthedustmasktypes.

2.Isolate Work Area and Ventilate to Outdoors:Disturbingmoldcoloniesduringcleanupcancauseahugereleaseofsporesintotheair,sosealoffthemoldyareasfromtherestofthehouse.Openwindows,anddon’trunthecentralairsystemduringcleanup.Tapeplasticoverairgrilles,anddrapeplasticinthestairwellifthesecondstoryisdryandclean.Ifpowerison,putaboxfaninawindowtoblowoutandexhaustmold-filledairtotheoutdoors.

3. Remove Moldy Porous Materials:Porousmoldyorsew-age-contaminatedmaterialsshouldberemoved,putinplasticbagsifpossibleandthrownaway.Toreducethereleaseandspreadofmoldspores,itishelpfultocovermoldymaterialwithplasticsheetingbeforeremovingit.• Removeallfloodedcarpeting,upholstery,fabrics

andmattressesrightaway.It’sbesttodiscardthem,butifyouhopetosalvageavaluableitem,haveitcleaned,disinfectedanddriedquicklyoutsidethehome.Neverreusefloodedpadding.


AvoidingMoldHazardsAflood-damagedbuildingrequiresspecialattention

toavoidorcorrectamoldpopulationexplosion.Moldproblemscanresultindamagetomaterialsandhealth.Thelongermoldisallowedtogrow,thegreatertheriskandtheharderitistoremedy.Assoonasthefloodwatersrecedeanditissafetoreturn,don’tdelayclean-upanddryout.

WhatIsMold?Moldsareatypeoffungi.Theyserveasnature’s

recyclerbyhelpingtobreakdowndeadmaterials.Moldsproducetinycellscalledsporesthatfloatandspreadeasilythroughtheair.Livesporesactlikeseeds,formingmoldgrowths(colonies)whentheyfindtherightconditions–moisture,nutrients(nearlyanythingorganic)andasuit-ableplacetogrow.Ofthese,moistureisthekeyfactor--forgrowthandforcontrol.

MoldandHealthExposuretomoldscanaffecthealth.Peoplearemainly

exposedbybreathingsporesortinyfragments,butcanalsobeaffectedthroughskincontactandbyeatingmoldcontaminatedfood.Bothliveanddeadmoldsporescanaffectpeople.

Thetypesandseverityofhealtheffectsfrommoldvarywidelyandarehardtopredict.Itdependsonthesen-sitivityoftheperson,theamountandtypeofexposure,thelengthofexposure,thetypesofmoldandotherfactors.

Themostcommonhealthproblemscausedbymoldareallergicreactions.Peoplewhoaresensitivetomoldcommonlyreportnasalandsinuscongestion,coughing,wheezing/breathingdifficulties,sorethroat,skinandeyeirritation,sinusandupperrespiratoryinfections.Althoughthereiswidevariationinhowdifferentpeopleareaffected,longtermorhighexposurecanbeunhealthyforanyone.Exposuretomoldcantriggerasthmaattacks,maysuppresstheimmunesystemorhaveothereffects.

Atgreaterriskofbeingaffectedmoreseverelyandsoonerthanothersarechildren,theelderly,peoplewithrespiratoryconditionsorsensitivitiessuchasallergiesandasthma,andthosehavingweakenedimmunesystems.Ifyoufeelyouoryourfamily’shealthisaffectedbymoldoryouhavespecialhealthconcernsthatincreaseyourrisk,youshouldavoidanymoreexposureandtellyourdoctororhealthprofessionalaboutyoursymptomsandmoldexposures.

Whatis“toxicmold”?Sometypesofmoldcanproduceharmfulchemical

compounds(calledmycotoxins)incertainconditions,butdon’talwaysdoso.Moldsthatareabletoproducetoxinsarecommon.Ifatoxinisproduced,itmaybepresentinliveanddeadsporesandfragments.

Althoughpotentialeffectsofspecificmycotoxinsareknown,identifyingamoldthatcanproducemycotoxinsdoesnottellyouwhetherornotyouhavebeenorwillbeexposedtoatoxininaharmfulamount.Still,allindoormoldgrowthispotentiallyharmfulandshouldberemovedpromptly,nomatterwhattypeofmoldispresentorwhetherornotitcanproduceatoxin.

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• Removeallwetfibrousinsulation–evenifwallboardappearstodry.Wetinsulationwillstaywetfartoolong,leadingtothegrowthofhiddenunhealthymoldanddecayfungiinsidethewalls.Cutwallcoveringabovethelevelthatwaswet;watercanwickupabovethefloodlevel.

• It’sbesttoremoveallmoldy,porousmaterials,especiallyifthereisheavyorlong-termmoldgrowth--includinggypsumwallboard,processedwoodproducts(particleboard,chipboard,etc.),ceilingtilesandpaperproducts.

• Plaster,woodpanelingandnon-paperfacedgypsumboardwallsthatdried,areingoodconditionandhavenoinsulationinthewallmaybecleanedandsanitizedtosalvagethem.It’sbesttoremovemultiplelayersofpaintonoldplastertoaiddrying.Thereisariskofmoldonthebackside,however,thatcanreleasesporesintothehomethroughairleaksinthewalls.Ifyouchoosetorestorethesematerials,trytosealinteriorgapswithcaulk.

• Removeallvinylwallpaper,flooring,andanyothermaterialsthathamperdryingofframingtowardtheinteriorspace.Allinteriorsideplasticsheeting,foilfacedinsulationandanythingelsethatcanactasawatervaporbarriershouldberemoved.

4.Clean and Disinfect:Surfacemoldcanbeeffectivelycleanedfromnon-porousmaterialssuchashardplas-tic,concrete,glassandmetal;solidwoodcanalsobecleanedsincemoldcannotpenetratesolidwood,butgrowsonlyonthesurface.Cleaningshouldremove,notjustkill,themold,becausedeadsporescanstillcausehealthproblems.

Aftercleaning,youmaychoosetouseadisinfectanttokillanymoldmissedbythecleaning.Iftherewassewagecontamination,disinfectionisamust.Ifyoudisinfect,followlabeldirectionsandwarnings,handlecarefully,wearrubbergloves,andnevermixbleachwithammoniaoracids.Manydisinfectants,includingbleach,cankillmolds,butdonotpreventregrowthofnewcolonies.• Removeanysediment.Hoseoutopenedwall

cavities,ifnecessary.• Washdirtyormoldymaterialswithnon-phosphate

all-purposecleaners,becausephosphateresidueismoldfood.Roughsurfacesmayneedtobescrubbed.Rinse,butavoidpressurespraythatcanforcewaterintomaterials.

• Ifavailable,useaHEPAfilteredvacuum(notaregularvacuum)toremovedustandmoldresidue.

• Disinfectwallcavitiesandothermaterialsaftercleaningtokillanyremainingfungiandbacteria.Soilcanmakesomedisinfectants,includingbleach,lesseffective.Oncolorfast,non-metalsurfaces,youcandisinfectwithasolutionof1/2-1cuphouseholdchlorinebleachpergallonofwater.Donotuseintheairconditioningsystem.Milder,lesscorrosivedisinfectantsincludealcohols,phenolicsandhydrogenperoxide.

5. Consider Borate Treatment:Applyingaboratetreat-menttowoodframingcanprovidesomeresistanceto


termites,decayandmold.Thetypeofboratesolutionthatpenetratesthewoodovertimeismoreexpensivebutoffersgreaterprotection.Othermoldinhibitorssuchaslatexzincpaintsandfungicidesmayalsohelpinhibitmoldgrowthduringdrying.DoNOTapplysealantsthatcanreducedrying.

Framingmaterialsthataredifficulttocleanorreplace(suchas“blackboard”,OSBsheathing,roughsurfaces,etc.)canbepaintedwithlatexpaintto“encapsulate”anyremainingmoldandpreventitsreleasetotheair.

6.Flush the Air:Aftercleaninganddisinfecting,airoutthebuilding.Usefansinwindowstopullmoldsporestotheoutdoors.

7.Speed Dry: Dryallwetmaterialsasquicklyaspos-sible.Closewindowsandairconditionorheat,runfansanduseadehumidifier,ifpossible.Ifthereisnopower,keepwindowsopen.

8.Remain on Mold Alert:Continuelookingforsignsofmoistureornewmoldgrowth.Newmoldcanforminaslittleas2-3daysifmaterialsstaywet.Woodandothermaterialsthatmaylookdrycanstillbewetenoughtosupportnewgrowth.Ifmoldreturns,repeatcleaningand,ifpossible,usespeeddryingequipmentandmois-turemeters.Regrowthmaysignalthatthematerialwasnotdryenoughorshouldberemoved.

9.Do Not Restore until All Materials Have Dried Completely: Woodmoisturecontentshouldbelessthan20%.DoNOTusevinylwallpaper,oil-basedpaintorotherinteriorfinishesthatblockdryingtotheinside.

10.Restore with Flood Resistant Materials:Ifpossible,“wetfloodproof”yourhomesoitcanwithstandafloodwithlessdamage.Useclosed-cellsprayfoaminsulationinwalls,orrigidfoaminsulatingsheath-ingthatdoesnotabsorbwater.Choosesolidwoodorwater-resistantcompositematerials.Elevatewiringandequipment.Considerremovable,cleanablewainscotingorpaneling.Usepaperlessdrywallthatdoesnotprovideafoodsourceformold.Userestorableflooringsuchasceramictile,solidwood,stainedconcrete,etc.

TheseareTryingTimesAnaturaldisasterleavesmorethana

trailofpropertydestructioninitswake.Manytimesitleavesthousandsofvictimswithadestroyedsenseofbalance.Inaddi-tiontoavoidingphysicalhazards,restoringbuildingsandreplacingmaterialpossessionsduringtherecoveryperiod,youneedtobeawareofstressandhowtoreduceit.Duringtherecoveryperiod,devotesometimetogettingyourstresslevelundercontrol.

Startbybeingpatientwithyourselfandothers.Don’texpectthingstorestorethemselvesinstantly.Focusonthebigpictureinsteadofthelittledetails.Determinewhat’sreallyimportant,andkeepinmindthatdifferentpeople,eveninyourownhousehold,willhavedifferentpriorities.Betolerantofmoodswingsandexpressionsofdisbelief,anger,sadness,anxietyanddepression.Don’toverlookthefeelingsofchildren.

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TipsforHandlingStress• Trytokeepyourbodyhealthyandstrong.Keep

yourfamily’sdietasnourishingaspossible.• Talkwithfriends,family,ministers.Incrisis

situations,asupportivenetworkisessential.Providehelptootherfamilieswhenpossible;itwillmakebothofyoufeelbetter.

• Resistthetemptationtoresorttobadhabits.Alcohol,blaming,denial,smoking,overeatingandrevengeeventuallycausemoreproblemsthantheysolve.

• Thinkpositive.Developasensethatthingswillworkout.

• Maketimeforrestandrelaxation.


ifthereisanotherstormorheavyrainsoon.Theymayaskrepeatedly,“Willitcomeagain?”

• beafraidtobeleftaloneorafraidtosleepalone.Chil-drenmaywanttosleepwithaparentoranotherperson.Theymayhavenightmares.

• behaveastheydidwhenyounger(suckingthethumb,wettingthebed,askingforabottle, wantingtobeheld).

• havesymptomsofillnesssuchasnausea,vomiting,headaches,notwantingtoeat,runningafever.

• bequietandwithdrawn,notwantingtotalkaboutwhathappenedtothem.

• becomeupseteasily-cryingandwhining.• feelguiltythattheycausedthedisasterbecauseof

somethingtheydid.• feelneglectedbyparentswhoarebusytryingtoclean

upandrebuildtheirlivesandhomes.• refusetogotoschoolortochildcare.Thechildmay

notwanttobeoutoftheparent’ssight.• becomeafraidofloudnoises,rain,storms.• notshowanyoutwardsignofbeingupset.Some

childrenmaynevershowdistressbecausetheydonotfeelupset.Otherchildrenmaynotgiveanyevidenceofbeingupsetuntilseveralweeksormonthslater.

Whatparentsandotheradultscandotohelpchildrencopewithfeelings:

Talkopenlyaboutwhatisgoingon.Givesimple,di-rectanswerstoquestions.Childrenhaveradar.Theyknowwhenadultsareafraidorworriedandnottellingthemthetruth.Theyhearotheradultstalk.Itdoesn’thelptotellachild“nottoworry”yetshowallthesignsofworryingyourself.Taketimetotalkopenly,honestlyandoften.

Listentoyourchild.Watchyourchildatplay.Oftenchildrenexpressfearandangerwhenplayingwithdolls,trucksorfriendsafteramajordisaster.Acknowledgethechild’sfeelings,andencourageconversation.

Reassureyourchild,“Wearetogether.Wecareaboutyou.Wewilltakecareofyou.”

Holdyourchild.Providecomfort.Touchingisimportantforchildrenduringthisperiod.Close contacthelpsassurechildrenthatyouarethereforthemandwillnotabandonthem

Spendextratimeputtingyourchildtobed.Talkandofferassurance.Leaveanightlightonifthatmakesthechildfeelmoresecure.

Help“actout”withbooks,art,toysanddrama.Workwithclaydough,paint,waterplay.Ifchildrenneedsome-thingtokickorhit,givethemsomethingsafelikeapillow,ballorballoon.

Ifyourchildlostaspecialtoyorblanket,allowhimtomournandgrieve(bycrying,perhaps).Itisallpartofhelpingtheyoungchildcopewithfeelingsaboutdisaster.Intime,itmaybehelpfultoreplacethelostobject.

Formoreinformation,contactyourlocalLSUAgCen-terOfficelistedunderlocalgovernmentinthetelephonedirectory.

HelpingYourChildCopeChildrencopewithstresseveryday.Oneoftheirbig-

geststressorsisfear.Children’sfourmajorfearsaredeath,darkness,animalsandbeingabandoned.Childrenhaveavarietyoffears:beingafraidofthedarkorthedoctororthevacuumcleaner,forinstance.Disastersaresomewhatdifferentforchildrenbecausetheyaffectentirecommuni-ties.Disasterishighlypublicizedandchildrensensethatadults,too,seemtobeafraid.So,itisnormalforchildrentoremainstressedandhaveahardtimecopingforalongtimeafteradisaster.

Evenchildrenwhohavenotbeeninthedisastermaybeafraidandworriedthatitwillhappentothem.Youngchildrenareusuallyworriedbecausetheydon’tunderstandwhatishappening.Theycan’talwaystellthedifferencebetweenwhatisrealandwhatispretend.Schoolchildrenareworriedforadifferentreason.Theycantellthediffer-ence,butdon’tyetfullyunderstandthelawsofprobability.Theyunderstandwhatcausesastormbutmayexpectdisastersorstormstoreappearsoonandoften.

It’shardtopredictwhichchildrenwillbemostaf-fectedandhow.Researchindicateschildren’sfearsvaryaccordingtoage,maturationandpreviouslearningexperi-ences.Inadisaster,childrenmayhaveencounteredthreeofthefourmajorfears.Undoubtedly,thiswillhaveanimpactontheirabilitytocopeforquitesometime.

Anotherimportantaspectaboutchildren’sfearsin-dicatedinresearchisthatfearsmaybeintensifiedwhenadultsbackawayfromdiscussingpainfultopicswithchildren.Manyfamiliesbanallpainfultopicsfromfamilyconversation.Suchstrategiesreaphighcostsintermsofintensifieddespairandnegativityamongchildren.Talktothechildrenaboutthedisasterandtheirfears.

Afteradisaster,somechildrenmay:• beupsetatthelossofafavoritetoy,blanket,teddybear,

etc.• beangry.Theymayhit,throw,kickoractoutinother

ways.• becomemoreactiveandrestless.Theymaywander

aboutandnotbeabletosettledown.• beafraidofthedisasterrecurring.Thisisespeciallytrue

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Oneofthefirstthingstogoinanaturaldisasteriselectricalservice.Youmaysufferanoutageevenifyouescapeallotheraspectsofastorm,butitdoesn’ttakeadisastertodisruptyourservice.Anautomobileaccidentorfallentreemaytakeoutyourpower.Thepowercompanyitselfmaysufferanequipmentfailure.Generally,theselocalizedproblemscanbecorrectedbeforeyouneedtotakeanyaction.

Itisgenerallyagoodideatoturnoffaircondition-ers,heatersandotherapplianceswhilethepowerisoff.Otherwise,theywilltrytocomeontogetherwhenpowerisrestored,andyourcircuitsbreakersorfusesmayblow.Unpluggingapplianceswillalsoprotectthemfrompowercyclesandsurgeswhichmayaccompanyrestorationofelectricalservice.

Yourprimaryconcernwithaprolongedpoweroutageduringthesummerisusuallyknowingwhetherthefoodstoredinrefrigeratorsandfreezersissafe.Inseverelyhotweather,thelossofelectricfansmayalsobelifethreaten-ing.Inseverelycoldweather,tryingtostaywarmandpreventfreezedamagewillbeofconcern.

Ifthepowerisofforwillbeoffforanextendedpe-riod,theinformationonthesepagesmayhelp.

UsingGeneratorsforElectricalPower

Emergencygeneratorsbecomepopularafterdisasters.Theycanhelpsavefoodinfreezersandrefrigerators,buttheyalsomaybedangerousifnotusedproperly.

Thecapacityofageneratorisusuallystatedinwatts.Forexample,youmayhavea2,000-wattgenerator.Thisisthesameasa2-kilowatt(K.W.)generator,because1,000wattsisequalto1K.W.

Wattsisanelectricaltermdeterminedbymultiplyingvoltstimesamps.Forexample,ifanappliancerequires120voltsanduses10amps,thisappliancerequires1,200watts.Thisinformationisonthenameplateoftheappli-ance.Bythisformula,youcandeterminewhatyoucanrunonyourgenerator.Forexample,anappliancethatrequires1,200wattsandonerequiring600wattscouldberunona2,000-wattgenerator.However,applianceswithmotorsrequiremorecurrenttostartthantheydoaftertheyarerunning.Asuggestionistostartarefrigerator,allowittobeginrunningandthenpluginanotherappliance.

GeneratorTips

• Gasolineenginesproducecarbonmonoxide.Don’truntheminanenclosedarea.

• Checktheoillevelintheenginebeforeusingandonaregularbasis(forexamplewhenrefueling).

• Lettheenginecooloffbeforerefueling.

• Thegeneratorshouldbekeptasafedistancefromstructuresbecauseofengineheat.

• Placethegeneratoronalevelsurfacetokeepoilatproperlevelinengine.

• Waterwilldamagegeneratorsaswellasproduceanelectricalhazard,sokeepthegeneratordry.

• Avoltagedropmayoccuriftoolonganextensioncordisconnectedtotheapplianceorifonewithtoosmallawiresizeisused.Iftheextensioncordbecomesverywarm,itisinadequate.

• Connectthegeneratordirectlytotheappliance.

• Youshouldnottrytohookgeneratorstoyourelec-tricalsupplybox.

• Groundthegeneratorasstatedintheinstructions.Ifyouuseanextensioncord,useonewithagroundplug.

• HavethegeneratorrunningbeforetheA.C.circuitonthegeneratoristurnedonorbeforeyouplugintheappliance.

• Anappliancethathasaheatingelement,suchasatoasterorhairdryer,consumesalargeamountofcurrent.It’sbesttoavoidusingthesetypesofitems.

• Ifanappliancehasgottenwetordamaged,itmaynotbeingoodworkingorder.Usingtheappliancemaydamagethegenerator.

• Somegeneratorshavetheabilitytoproduce115/120voltsor220volts.Selecttheoutletthatcorrespondstothevoltagerequirementoftheappliance.

Surviving and Recovering From a Power OutageNatural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 2


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PlayitSafeWithFood

PreparingforaPowerOutageAfteradisaster,electricalpowermaybedisruptedfor

hours,sometimesdays.Therearethingsyoucandotoprepareforanoutagewhichmayextendthelifeoffoodsinyourrefrigeratororfreezer.• Keepanappliancethermometerintherefrigeratorand

freezer.Anappliancethermometerwillindicatethetemperatureintherefrigeratorandfreezerincaseofapoweroutageandhelpdeterminethesafetyofthefood.

• Makesurethefreezerisatorbelow0°Fandtherefrig-eratorisatorbelow40°F.

• Freezecontainers(suchasmilkcartons)ofwaterforicetohelpkeepfoodcoldinthefreezer,refrigeratororcoolersafterthepowerisout.

• Freezerefrigerateditemssuchasleftovers,milkandfreshmeatandpoultrythatyoumaynotneedimmedi-ately.Thishelpskeepthematasafetemperaturelonger.

• Groupfoodtogetherinthefreezer.Thishelpsthefoodstaycoldlonger.

• Separaterawmeatandpoultryitemsfromotherfoods.Placethemonthebottomshelf.Ifrawmeatandpoultrybegintothaw,thiswillpreventtheirjuicesfromgettingontootherfoods.

• Planaheadandknowwheredryiceandblockicecanbepurchased.

• Havecoolersonhandtokeeprefrigeratorfoodcoldifthepowerwillbeoutformorethanfourhours.Pur-chaseormakeicecubesandstoreinthefreezerforuseintherefrigeratororinacooler.Freezegelpacksaheadoftimeforuseincoolers.

DuringPowerOutageFollowingthesestepswillhelpkeepfoodsafeduring

poweroutagesorwhenthefreezerorrefrigeratorisnotworking:• Keeptherefrigeratorandfreezerdoorsclosedasmuch

aspossibletomaintainthelowtemperature.• Therefrigeratorwillkeepfoodsafelycoldforabout

fourhoursifitisunopened.Afullfreezerwillholdthetemperatureforapproximately48hours(24hoursifitishalf-fullandthedoorremainsclosed.)

• Obtaindryorblockicetokeepyourrefrigeratorandfreezerascoldaspossibleifthepowerisgoingtobeoutforaprolongedperiodoftime.Fiftypoundsofdryiceshouldholdan18-cubic-footfullfreezerfortwodays.CAUTION:Nevertouchdryicewithyourbarehandsorbreathethefumes.Placethedryiceoncardboardoronemptyshelvesinthefreezeraroundtheitemstobekeptfrozen.

• Cookandeatanyrawmeat,fishorpoultryproductsstoredintherefrigeratorbytheseconddayofthepowerfailureonanoutdoorcharcoalorgasgrill.

AfteraPowerOutageTherearecertainprecautionsyoushouldtakebefore

youbeginusingfoodfromrefrigeratorsandfreezersthathavebeenoffformorethanafewhours.• Nevertasteafoodtodetermineitssafety!• Foodmaybesafelyrefrozenifitstillcontainsice

crystalsorisat40°Forbelow.Checkthetemperatureofthefreezerwithanappliancethermometerorfoodthermometer.Ifthefoodstillcontainsicecrystalsorisat40°Forbelow,thefoodissafe.

• Ifathermometerhasnotbeenkeptinthefreezer,checkeachpackageoffoodtodetermineitssafety.Ifthefoodstillcontainsicecrystals,thefoodissafe.

• Rawmeatsandpoultry,cheese,juices,breadsandpastriescanberefrozenwithoutlosingalotofqual-ity.Preparedfoods,fish,vegetablesandfruitscanberefrozensafely,butqualitymaysuffer.Markthesetobeusedassoonaspossible.

• Foodthatcontainsicecrystalsorisat40°Forbelowmayalsobecookedandservedorfrozenaftercooking.

• Rememberthatseafoodwillbeamongthefirsttothawandwillneedattentionfirst.Also,groundmeatislikelytospoilbeforeothermeats.

• Foodthatwasheldabove40°Fformorethantwohoursgenerallyshouldbediscardedbecausebacteriamaymultiplytounsafelevelsundertheseconditions.Theonlyfoodsthatcanberefrozenundertheseconditionsarewell-wrappedhardandprocessedcheeses,butterandmargarine,breadsandpastrieswithoutcustardfillings,fruitsandfruitjuicesthatlookandsmellacceptable.

• Vegetablesheldabove40°Fforlessthansixhoursmayberefrozen,butwithqualityloss.Pecansandothernutsmayberefrozensafelybutmaysufferqualityloss.

Whentherefrigeratorisoperatingagain,usetheseguidelinestodecidewhattodowithfoodsthatwerestoredintherefrigerator:• Discardrefrigeratedperishablefoodsuchasmeat,

poultry,fish,softcheeses,milk,eggs,leftoversanddeliitemsafterfourhourswithoutpower.

• Condimentssuchasketchup,mustard,pickles,relishes,picantesauce,vinegar-basedsaladdressings,Worces-tershiresauceandsteaksaucesshouldbefine.Discardopenedmayonnaise,tartarsauce,andhorseradishifabove50°Fforovereighthours.Jams,jellies,pre-servesandsyrupsareallrightbecausesugarservesasapreservative.Checkformoldgrowth.

• HardcheesewillbeOK,andifthetemperaturehasn’tgottentoowarminsidetherefrigerator,blocksorslicesofprocessedcheesecanalsobeused.Well-wrappedbutterandmargarinecanusuallybekeptaslongastheydonotmelt,butshouldbediscardedifrancidodorsdevelop.Keepunopenedpackagesofcreamcheese,butdiscardiftheyaremoldywhenopened.


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• Freshfruitsandvegetablesaresafeaslongasthey’restillfirmandthere’snoevidenceofmold,ayeastysmellorsliminess.Juicesaresafeaslongasthere’snoevidenceofmoldgrowthandtheylookandsmellacceptable.Cutfruitshouldbediscardedifabove40°Fformorethan2hours.

• Pecans,othernuts,peanutsandpeanutbutteralsoaresafe.

RemovingOdorsfromRefrigeratorandFreezer

Iffoodhasthawedinyourrefrigeratororfreezer,youareprobablyfacinganodorproblemthathangsonevenafterthespoiledfoodisgone.Gettingridofthisodorislikelytotaketime,patienceandacombinationoftech-niques.

Iftherefrigeratorhasbeenfloodeditshouldbere-placed.

Empty,CleanandDisinfect• Removeallfood,unplugapplianceandtakeoutallre-

movableparts.Emptythedefrostwaterdisposalpan(ifithasone).

• Washeachpartthoroughlywithhotwateranddetergent.Rinsewithadisinfectantsolution(1teaspoonchlorinebleachforeachgallonofwater).

• Washtheinside,includingdoorsandgaskets,withasolutionofhotwaterandbakingsoda.Rinsewithdisin-fectantsolution.

• Donotmixammoniaandchlorinesolutions!Thiscom-binationgivesofftoxicfumes.

Note: Ifgarbagepickupisnotexpectedsoon,takespoiledfoodsoffsitetohelpavoidattractinganimals,insectsandtoreduceodors.

AiritOutLeavethedooropenforatleast15minutestoairout.

Ifyouhadalongpoweroutage,thisprobablywon’tbeenough.

Ifodorremains,repeat-edlyheatandventilatetheinsidewalls.Warmtheinsidewallswithaportableconvectionheater(onethatblowswarmair),hairdryerorhotairpopcornpopper.Donotuseaheatsourcethatcancausedamage,anddonotleavetheheaterunattended.

Thenturnofftheheatandventilatewithaportablefanuntiltheinsidewallsarecool.

Repeatthisprocessforseveralhoursoruntiltheodorisalmostgone.

Ifsomeodorremains,activatedcharcoalfiltersoratrayoflooseactivatedcarbonwillabsorbpersistentodors.Lookforitatdrugstores,applianceservicecompanies,hardwarestoresorpetstores.

Ifyoucan’tfindactivatedcarbon,youcanusecrushedcharcoal(thekindusedforbarbecuegrills),butitwillnotbeaseffective.Spreadabout3ouncesofthefinepow-deredcharcoalonasheetofaluminumfoilorinashallowpan,andplaceontherefrigeratororfreezershelf.


HowtoCookWhenthePowerGoesOff

Afteradisasterhasknockedoutelectricityorgaslines,cookingmealscanbeaproblemandcanbehazardousifafewbasicrulesarenotfollowed.

Charcoalorgasgrillsarethemostobviousalternativesourcesofheatforcooking.Neverusethemindoors.Indoingso,youriskbothasphyxi-ationfromcarbonmonoxideandthechanceofstartingafirethatcoulddestroyyourhome.• Campstovesthatuseliquidorsolidfuelshould

alwaysbeusedoutdoors.• Usesmallelectricalappliancestopreparemeals

ifyouhaveaccesstoanelectricalgeneratorandthegeneratorhassufficientcapacity.Donotuseanappliancethathasbeenfloodeduntilithasbeencheckedforshortedcircuitry.

• Youcanusewoodforcookinginmanysitua-tions.Youcancookinafireplaceifthechimneyissound.

• Ifyouhavetobuildafireoutside,builditawayfrombuildings,neverinacarport.Sparkscaneasilygetintotheceilingandstartahousefire.

• Neverusegasolinetogetawoodorcharcoalfirestarted.

• Donotuse“treated”woodasfuelforacookingfire.

• Makesureanyfireiswellcontained.Ametaldrumorstonesaroundthefirebedaregoodprecautions.Acharcoalgrillisagoodplaceinwhichtobuildawoodfire.Besuretoputoutanyfirewhenyouarethroughwithit.

• Whencookingisnotpossible,somecannedfoodcanbeeatencold.Oritcanbewarmedovercannedheatorcandles.

• Neverleaveanyopenfire,cannedheatorcandleunattended.Keepchildrenawayatalltimes.

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Ifpossible,runyourfreezerwithnothingbutthecar-boninitforacoupleofdays.

After6or8hours,heatthepanofloosecharcoalinamoderate(350degreesF)oventoreactivatethecarbonsoitcanbereused.Coolthecharcoalandputitbackintheappliance.Repeattheprocessuntiltheodordisappears.

Largeservicingcompaniesmayrecommendchemicaldeodorizersthatarestrongerthancharcoalandlastseveralmonths.Foodsmustbecoveredifsuchchemicalsareused.

StoreFoodinSealedContainersorWrappings

Keepboxesorbowlsofbakingsodaintherefrigerator.Eveniftracesoftheodorremain,sealedfoodwillnotbeaffected.

Refrigerateandfreezeallfoodinsealedcontainersorsecuredfreezerwrappings.Whenyoutakeoutapackage,removewrappingsassoonaspossible,anddisposeofthemimmediately.

IfNothingWorksIfalltheseeffortsdon’tseemtohelpmuch,theremay

havebeenseepageintothewallsofthefreezerorrefrigera-tor.Iftheinsulationhasgottenwet,theappliancemayhavetobediscardedeventuallybecauseitmaynotonlyhavepersistentbadodors,butmayalsoruncontinuouslyorfrostupontheoutsidebecauseoftheruinedinsulation.Insomecases,itmaybefeasibletoreplacethewetinsula-tion,butformost,anewenergy-efficientrefrigeratororfreezermaybemorecosteffective.

PowerOutageinWinterWithsomanypeopleaccustomedtoheatingwithelec-

tricalenergy,thelossofpowerinwinterpresentsproblemsofstayingwarmandkeepingthehouseholdplumbingfromfreezing.Theprincipalalternativeheatsourceisfire,whichmustbeusedsafelyandwithcaution,orit,too,becomesahazard.

Ifyouhavesufferedapoweroutageinseverelycoldweather,youralternativeheatprobablywillnotbead-equatetoheattheentiredwelling.Ifthetemperaturewillbeverylowforanextendedperiod,itmaybeadvisableto

draininteriorwaterpipesthatwouldhavebeenkeptfromfreezingbythehouseholdheat.

KeepingYourselfWarm• Dressinlayersofloose,light-weight,

warmclothing.• Eatanddrinkadequately.Foodpro-

videsthebodywithenergyandheat.Fluidspreventdehydration.

• Avoidalcoholicdrinks.Althoughtheymakeyoufeelwarmer,theyactuallymakeyoumoresusceptibletohypothermia.

• Don’tignorethesignsofhypothermia.Ifyou’reshiver-inguncontrollably,stumblingaround,havingtroubletalking,andfeelingdrowsyandexhausted,gethelp.

HeatingtheLivingSpace• Heatonlytheareayouarestayingin;closeoffrooms

you’renotusing.Ifyou’reusingafuel-burningspaceheaterthatisn’tventedtotheoutdoorsthroughapipeorchimney,provideproperventilation.Openawindowslightly,andleavethedoortotheroomopen.Besuretousetheproperfuelfortheheater.

• Useonlyseasoned(dry)hardwoodsinthefireplace.Makesurethedamperisopenaslongasanyembersaresmoldering;closeitwhenthefireplaceisnotinusetokeephotairfromescapingupthechimney.

• Neverusestoves,crawfishboilers,ovensorothercook-ingappliancesforhomeheating.Thesecanproducealotofcarbonmonoxide.Sincethey’renotdesignedforcontinuousoperation,usingthemforheatingmayalsocreateafirehazard.

• Usewindowdrapestoinsulatewindowsatnightandopentoletsunshineininthedaytime.

• Don’tletchildrenplayaroundheaters.Theymaygetburnedortoppletheheater.

• Keepflammablematerialsatleast3feetfromheaters.

• Keepafireextinguisherhandy.

Formoreinformation,contactyourlocalLSUAgCenterofficelistedunderlocalgovernmentinthetele-phonedirectory.


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DeterminingStructuralDamage

Assoonasauthoritiesorconditionsallowyoutoreturn,it’stimetoassessthedamageandbeginrepairs.Anumberoffactorsshouldbeconsid-ered,andthefollowinginformationmaybehelpful.

DamagetoStructuresDamagetostructuresinmanycasesisobvious,but

damagethatisnotclearlyseenmaycauseproblemsalso.Lookforwoodstructuralmembersthatarecracked,

andrememberthesecanbehardtodetect.Structuralbrac-ingmaynotbesecuredastightlyasoriginally.Ifdoorsorwindowsdonotopenastheydidbeforethestorm,thismayindicatethestructurehasshifted.Incaseofsevereshifting,waterlines,gaslinesandelectricalcircuitsmayhavebeendamaged.

Ifwetnessoccurredbecauseofleakingroofs,lookforwetelectricalcircuits,wetinsulationandotherwaterdamagetotheinteriorofthestructure.Onceinsulationbecomeswetinawallorattic,itmustbereplaced.Wallinsulationthatissealedwithinthestructurewillnotdryoutsoonenough.

Structuresthatusearooftrusssystemshouldbecarefullyinspected.Inmanycases,trusssystemsareconstructedof2x4sandmetalfasteners.Anycrackorbreakinthetrusswillgreatlyaffectthestrengthofthetrusssystem.

RepairorReplace?Damagedstructurescanbeourhomes,equipment

storagebuildings,barnsandotheroutbuildings.Careandconsiderationshouldbegiventotheirrestoration.Ap-propriatemeasuresvarywiththetype,ageandconditionofthestructure.Often,thestructureshouldberemovedratherthanrebuilt.Thestructuralintegrityofthebuildingshouldbeassessed,andifthedecisionismadetorepair,additionalbracingmayberequiredbeforerepairsbegin.

Repairofdamagedbuildingsrequiresabuildingper-mitifitinvolvesmorethanpaintingorreplacingcarpet.Checkwithyourlocalbuildingofficialorpermitofficebeforebeginningorcontractingforrepairs.

CheckingOutsideforStructuralDamage• Makesurethebuildingisnotindangerofcollapsing.

Lookforbulges,sways,leaningwallsandsaggingrooflines.

• Checktheroof.Theroofisaverygoodindicatorof

Restoring Storm-Damaged BuildingsNatural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 3

thepresenceofstructuraldamage.Lookattheridgeoftheroof,andassesswhetheritisstraight.Thiscanbeviewedfromadistancebetterthancloseup.Iftheridgesagseitherontheendorinthemiddle,theload-bearingwallshaveshifted.

• Checkthewallstoverifythattheyareverticalandstraight.Thisnormallycanbedonebyeyeorwithacarpenter’slevel.

• Checkwherethestructuremeetsitsfoundation.Ifthehouseisonpiers,lookattheindividualpiersandseethattheyremaininplaneandlevel.Whetheritisonaslaboronpiers,checktoseethatthebuildinghasnotshiftedonitsfoundation.Floodedwoodenfloors,iftheydonotbuckle,willsometimespushwallsoutwardatthebase.

• Checkforcracksinmasonry.Looknearthecornersofthestructuresandunderandarounddoorsandwindows.

Ifanyoftheseindicatorsofstructuraldamageareobserved,itisadvisabletocallalicensedbuildingcontrac-tor,inspectororengineer.Aprofessionalneedstofurtherassessthebuildingforitssafetyanddeterminetherequiredrepairs.Theseindicatorsshouldbepointedouttoinsur-anceadjusters.


EnteringtheBuilding• Turnoffanyoutsidegaslinesatthemeterortank,

andletthehouseairforseveralminutestoremovefoulodorsorescapinggas.

• Turnoffthemainelectricalbreakeruntilsafeconditionsareestablished.Ifthemaindisconnectisinsidethehouse,itwouldbewisetocallyourutilitycompanyforassistance.Evenifpowerisoutinyourneighborhood,disconnectthemainswitch,fuseorcircuitbreakeratyourhome,anddiscon-nectallcircuits.Unplugallappliancesthathavebeenflooded.

• Entercautiously.Donotsmoke.Don’tuseaflameasalightsource.

• Checkforsaggingceilings;wetinsulationandpocketedwatercancauseceilingstofall.

TurningofftheElectricity• Standonadryspotwhenworkingwithelectricalboxes

andpanels.• Ifyouhavetostepinwatertogettothecircuitorfuse

box,callanelectrician;donottrytoturnoffthepoweryourself.

• Useadrysticktoopenpaneldoorsandthrowswitcheswheneverpossible.Usecautionwhenremovingfuses(can’tbedonewithastick).

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PreliminaryRepairsAnytemporarystructuralrepairsthatcanbemadewill

requiresomecreativitysincethere’slikelytobeashortageofmaterials.Themostcommonrepairswillinvolvenailingplywoodortapingheavyplastictobrokenwindows,ceil-ingandwalls.

Ifthebuildinghasshiftedorthefloorshavesettledbadly,itmaybenecessarytoinstalltemporarybracingun-tilextensiveworkcanbedone.Topreventfloodedwoodenfloorsfrombucklingandwarpingfurther,removeaboardeveryfewfeet.

Coverdamagedroofsectionswithheavyplasticorroofingfeltanchoredinplacewithwoodenboardstohelppreventleaksuntilpermanentrepairscanbemade.Beespeciallycautious;damagedroofingcanbelooseorslip-pery.

Inside,removeanymudanddebriswhileitisstillmoist.

Floodingmayrequirereplacementofoutlets,breakers,wiringandcontrols.

DryWelltoPreventDecayMoldislikelytogrowonwoodandothermaterials

thatstaywetformorethan2-3days,butmolddoesnotpenetrateorbreakdownsolidwood.However,ifuntreatedwoodstayswetfor(weeksormonths,decayfungicangrowandbreakdownitscellstructure,causingwoodrotandlossofitsstructuralstrength.Wetnesscandamagemanyothermaterials,too–evensteel.Thatiswhyitiscrucialtonotonlycleanandremovemold,butalsospeedthedryingprocessandpostponerestorationuntilallma-terialsaredryandwoodframinghasamoisturecontentunder20%.

cleaned,driedandrestretchedduringinstallation.Car-petsthatwerefloodedwithcontaminatedwatershouldbediscarded.Youmaybeabletoclean,disinfectandre-storevaluablerugs,butalwaysreplacewetcarpetpads.

• Removefloodedvinylsheetflooring,laminateflooringandotherflooringswithpaperorothermoisturesensi-tivecomponents.

• Forsolidwoodfloors,carefullyremoveaplankeveryfewfeettoreducebuckling.Woodfloorsoftenreshrinkbacktonormalwhendryandneedonlyrefinishinginsteadofreplacement.Thismaytakeseveralweeks.

• Openclosetandcabinetdoors,removedrawersandcontentsandusefanstoaidaircirculationfordrying.Ifcabinetsareinstalledoninsulatedwalls,theymayneedtoberemoved.

• Removelooseorcrumblyplaster,drywallandwetceil-ingtiles.Plasteranddrywallcansurvivefloodingifitcandryoutandbecleanedorsanitized.Removeallvinylwallpaperandanythickbuilt-uplayersofinteriorpainttoallowwallstodrytowardtheinterior.

• Discardallwetormoldyfibrousinsulation,evenifitmeanscuttingintowallsorremovingdrywallabovethelevelofmoisturethatwickedupbeyondthefloodlevel.Wetfibrousinsulationwillnotdryoutadequatelywhenleftinplace.

• Paneledwallsshouldberemovedorproppedopenatthebottomtoremovewetinsulation,thencleanandtreattheframing.

• Ifdirtyormoldy,washemptywallcavitiesandsubfloororslabwithanon-phosphatedetergentsolutionandrinsewithcleanwater.Tokillanyfungithatmayre-mainaftercleaning,youmaysprayfloodedwallcavitiesandslabswithasolutionsuchas½-1cupfreshbleachpergallonofwaterorotherdisinfectant.Protectwiringandothermetalsfrombleachspraysinceitiscorrosive.

• Floodedwiringshouldbereplaced.Checkwithyourbuildingpermitofficetoseeifwiringwetfromleakscanbesalvaged.

• Continuouslyairconditionorheatthespaceandusefansuntilmaterialsaredry.Alsousingadehumidifierwillspeeddryingandishighlyrecommendedtoavoidmoldgrowthduringthedryoutprocess.

• Donotreplacetheinsulationanddrywallorpanelinguntilthestuds,sillplates,sheathingandanyinteriorpanelingaredry(under20%moisturecontent).With-outthebenefitofadehumidifier,thiscouldtakeweeks.

• Donotusesealants,vinylwallpaperorothermaterialsontheinteriorsideofwalls.Inairconditionedhomes,wallsmustbeabletodrythroughmaterialstowardtheinside.Useonlylatexpaintonnewdrywall.

DoMorethanRestoreOnceitisdry,insteadofjustrestoringyourhome,

improveit.Asilverliningofstormdamageistheopportu-nitytomakeyourhomebetterthanbefore.Makeitmoreenergy-efficienttoincreasecomfortandlowerutilitycosts.Makeitmoredurabletoavoidsomuchdamageandordealafterfuturestorms.


Safety• Read“BeSafe”sectiononAvoiding Mold

Hazards.• Wearadustmask,gogglesandprotectiveclothing

onlegs,arms,feetandhandswhilecleaningupdebris.Whenhandlingmoldyorcontaminatedmaterial,weararespiratorratedN-95orhigher.

• Wearrubbergloveswhileusingcleanersanddisinfectants.

• Buildingsconstructedinthe’70sandearliermayhavelead-basedpaint.Sandingorscrapingthispaintcreatesaserioushealthhazard.Beforeworkingwithsuspectedlead-basedpaint,getmoreinformationfromwww.epa.gov/lead.

Ifyouseeorsmellmoldinastormdamagedhome,re-fertopart1ofthisbookfor“MoldRemovalGuidelines”.Whetherornotyoufindmold,actquicklytodryoutyourstormorflooddamagedhome:• Removewetcarpets,pads,rugs,upholsteryandfabrics

assoonaspossible.Carpetswetfromleaksmaybe

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• Applyapenetratingboratetreatmenttothebottomtwofeetofwoodframingtoprovidetermiteanddecaypro-tection.

• Caulktosealthegapbetweensillplatesandaslabfoundation,amajorsourceofairleakage.

• Sealholesandpenetrationsinframingwithexpandingfoamsealant.

• Replacedamagedoutletboxes,recessedcanlightsandotherfixtureswith“air-tight”types.

• Replacedamagedwindows,appliancesandequipmentwithEnergyStarlabeledtypes.

• Replacedamageddoorswithinsulateddoors(fiberglassorsteelskin).

• Considerupgradingtoimpactresistantwindowsanddoorsinhigh-windzones.

• Beforeinstallingnewwindowsordoors,makesureopeningsarewellflashedtodrainwaterleakstotheoutside.

• InsulatewallcavitiesforhigherR-valueandbettercoveragethanbefore,fromR-13-19.Considerspraycel-lulosewithborates,sprayfoamorhigh-densityfrictionfitfiberglassbattsinnon-floodhazardareas,andclosedcellsprayfoamorrigidfoamsheathinginareasatriskofflooding.

• Raisedwoodfloorsystemsmaybelessvulnerabletomoistureproblemswithinsulationmethodsthatbothinsulateandprotectfloorjoistsfrommoisture;considermin.R-12sprayfoamorfoil-facedrigidfoamwithtapedseams.

• Choosemoreflood-resistantwallandfloormaterials.Considerremovablewainscoting,paperlessdrywall,ceramictile,decorativeconcrete,solidwoodandotherrestorableoptions.

• Ifreplacingallyourdrywallorceilings,usegasketsordrywalladhesivetosealthedrywalltoframingattopandbottomplatesandaroundopenings–the“AirtightDrywallApproach”

FloodingandDamage-causingPests

Theseverityofapestproblemfollowingastormorflooddependsonthetimeofyearandwhere,inthesea-sonalcycleofthepest,thedisasteroccurs.

TermitesFloodingmayleachsometermiticidesfromtreat-

edsoilormaterials.Ifthetreatedsoiliseroded,thetermiticidewillberemovedwithit.Ifsoilisdepositedalongthefoundationofahouse,itwillprovideabridgefortermitestogoaroundthetreatedsoil.Eliminateallsourcesofwaterandwood-to-soilcontact.Theseconditionsareconducive

totermiteinfestations.Anydamagetofoundationsorfoot-ingcanresultintermiteinfestations.Termitescanenterbuildingsthroughcracksonly1/32-inchwide.

Wooddebrisofanykindwillattracttermites.Termitesareextremelyimportantinrecyclingwood.Woodiscom-posedofcellulose,andfeworganismscanbreakitdown.Wewanttermitestorecyclewood,butwedon’twantthemrecyclingourhomes.

Getthehouseinspectedwithinsixmonthsafteramajorflood.Contactyourpestcontrolcompanybeforedisturbingthesoilaroundthefoundationorinstallingadrainagesystemaroundahome.Youractionsmayvoidyourtermitecontract.

Don’tbepressuredintogettingANYpestcontroltreatmentsdonequicklyifyouareunsureofwhatyouarebeingtold.Whenindoubt,contacttheLouisianaDepart-mentofAgricultureandForestry-StructuralPestControlCommission.

SpecialconsiderationsforFormosansubterraneantermitesandwood-attackinginsectsandfungi:Whenastructureisbuiltorwoodisreplaced,thereisaone-timeopportunitytomanagetermitesandotherwood-attack-inginsectsandfungi.Usepressure-treatedwood(borates,ACQorCA)ortermite-resistantmaterialsbecausetheseorganismscannoteatordecaythem.Woodsubflooringandwallframingthatisnotreplacedandwoodproductsthatarenotavailablewithpressuretreatmentshouldbesprayedwithapenetratingboratesolutionforadditionalprotectionfromthesepests.

Gotowww.lsuagcenter.comandsearchfortermitestogetadditionalinformationonintegratedpestmanagementoftermites.Donotmoveanywood,paperortheirproductswithouthavingtheminspectedforFormosansubterraneantermitesorfumigatingthem.Movementofsuchitemsmayspreadthisdevastatingperennialpest.QuarantinesonthemovementofsuchitemsareinplacefollowinghurricanesKatrinaandRita.

BoringInsectsandFungiMoistureproblemsinacrawlspacecanleadtoother

problems,suchaswood-boringbeetlesandwood-decay-ingfungiinfloorjoists.Wood-decayingfungiwillnotgrowbelow20%woodmoisturecontent,however,andthelikelihoodofproblemswithpowderpostbeetlesandoldhouseborersdecreasesasthewoodmoisturedecreasesto14%orless.Donotreplacefloorinsulationuntilwoodisdry.Besurerainwaterdrainsawayfromthehouseandthatthesoillevelunderthehouseishigherthanaroundthehouse.Coverthesoilinanenclosedcrawlspacewithplasticsheeting.


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RepairingtheRoofAfteraStorm

Underthemultiplepressuresofshortagesoftimeandfindingskilledorreputableworkers,materials,etc.,itmaybetemptingtotakeshortcutsonroofrepairs,butrememberthatadepreciatedhomeandfutureexpensivetroublecancomewithsuchadecision.Repairsnow,whilethedamageisclearlylinkedtothestorm,maybecoveredbyinsuranceorotherassistance.Later,whenproblemsreappear,youmaybearthoserepaircostsalone.

Whenconsideringroofrepair,assesstheconditionoftheroofingmaterials.Ifyourshinglesarenotnew,youmaywanttoreplacetheroofratherthanpatchit,andmakeitmoreresistanttodamageinfurtherevents.

atseveralpoints.Ascabshouldrunapproximately4ft.oneachsideofthebreak.Ascabcanbeusedtorepairatrussrafter.Inatruss,thescabmustcoverthebrokenrafterele-mentandthepointswherethatelementisattachedtootherelements.Thesizeofwoodusedforrepairsshouldbethesamesizeasthewoodbrokenorlarger(butneversmaller).

Brokenorseverelydamagedraftersareseldomasstrongafterrepairs.Furtherstrengtheningmaybeachievedbyaddingsupportbracesbetweentherafter(s)andtheceilingjoist(s)below.Runtwobracesfromeachrepairedrafter:onefromtherafterscabtothepointonthejoistwhereitcrossesaload-bearingwallandonetothejoistbelow(seediagram).Iftheattachmentpointforabraceisnotoveraload-bearingwall,thejoistshouldbereinforcedwitha“strongback.”Thestrongbackisconstructedofone2x4andone2x6planknailedtogetheratrightangles;itisnailedtotheceilingjoistandextendsacrossseveraljoistsonbothsidesofthedamagedarea.


Scab

BrokenRafter

2”x6”Rafter

2”x6”BraceStrongback

2”x6” 2”x6” 2”x4”

SheathingIfyouhavelimiteddamagetotheroofdeckingthat

canberepairedwithouttotalremoval,replacedamagedsheathingwithpanelsofthesamethicknessasthatusedontherestoftheroof.Attachthenewsheathingandre-nailtheexistingsheathingtoallraftersortrusseswith8dringshanknailsspacedevery6inches.

Ifyoureplaceallthesheathing,strengthenyourroofbyusing40/20ratedroofdecksheathing(plywoodorOSB)withaminimumthicknessof19/32inchesandanailingpatternof8dringshanknailsevery4inchesonallpanelsalongagableend,and6inchesaparteverywhereelse.Makesurejointsareplacedoverraftersandnailsdon’tmisstherafters.Donotusestaples.

AWordofCautionBeforegettingontherooftodorepairs,inspect

theraftersforbreaksandsags.• Rememberthatelectricalwiringisrunthrough

theattic;besurethepowerisoffbeforeenteringtheatticspaceforthefirsttime.

• Evenwithoutadisaster,theatticcanbeadangerousplace.Nailtipsareleftexposedandtherecanbenumerousroughedgeswhichcouldcauseinjury.

• Whenyoudogetontheroof,beverycareful.Theslopeoftheroofisahazardandadamagedroofmayhavelooseshingles,exposednailsorotherfeatureswhichcouldleadtoinjury.Whenworkingonsteepinclines,useasafetyharness.

Acommonroofconsistsofthreelayersofmaterials:sheathing(ordecking),roofingfeltandanouterlayerofshingles,metalpanelsortiles.Sheathingisnailedtoraf-tersbeforethefeltandroofingareapplied.Thefeltisthelayerwhichwaterproofstheroof;itisimportanttooverlapthelayersproperlysowaterrunsoveralowercourse,notunderit.Shingles,tilesorpanelsprotectthefeltfromphysicaldamagebutdon’treallysealthestructureagainstrain.

RaftersIfyouhavebrokenraftersorridgebeams,theymust

berepairedfirst.Thesizeoftheareadamageddictatesproperprocedures.Oneortwobrokenrafterscanbere-pairedbyusingascab-and-propmethod.Ifthreeormoreadjacentraftersarebroken,itisadvisabletoreplacethem.Replacingraftersmayrequireremovalofundamagedshingles,feltandsheathingalongthelengthoftheraftertobereplaced.

Checkwiththelocalpermitofficetofindoutwhatinspectionorpermittingrequirementsorbuildingcodesmustbemet.

Torepairabrokenrafterusingascabmethod,placeanewrafteralongsidethebrokenoneandnailthemtogether

6”spacinginnon-shadedpanels

4”spacinginshadedpanels

NailspacingrecommendationsforplywoodorOSBroofdeck.

�� Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 3

OpeningProtectionsWhenwind-bornedebrisbreakswindowsordoors,

theinsideairpressurebuildupcancausemajorstructuraldamage.Toavoidtherushtoboardupduringeachstormwarning,considerreplacingwindowsanddoorswithhurricaneratedunitsorinstallingimpactresistantshut-ters.Standarddouble-widegaragedoorsareespeciallyvulnerabletowinddamage.LookforproductsthathavemetrecognizedproductapprovalsystemssuchasSBCCISSTD12,ASTME1186andASTME1996,orMiami-DadeProtocolsPA201,PA202andPA203.

RooftoWalltoFoundationConnectionsYourhomeisasstrongasitsweakestlink.Tomake

suretheroofstaysinplaceduringaseverestorm,anchortherooftothewallwithhurricanestrapsovereachrafter(ifsheathingisremoved),orifthat’snotfeasible,withhur-ricaneclipsateverywall-to-rafterconnection.Ifthewallsareopenedforrepair,consideralsoaddingmetalhurricaneconnectorsthattiethestudstothebottomplate,andthebottomplatetothefoundation(suchasepoxy-setanchorboltsintotheslab).

GableRoof

HippedRoof

RoofUnderlaymentandCoveringsConsidersealingroof-sheathingjointswithaself-

adheredasphalt/rubbertape(modifiedbitumen)atleast4incheswidetoprovideasecondarymoisturebarrier.Analternativethatoffersevengreaterprotectionistoapplyapeel-and-stickroofmembraneovertheentireroofdeckinplaceofjointtapeandroofingfelt.

Otherwise,roofingunderlaymentmayconsistofeitherasinglelayerof#30feltwithaminimum2-inchoverlap,ortwolayersof15#feltinstalledinaccordancewithmanufacturer’sinstructions.Bothmethodsrequireaminimum6-inchlapatends.Flashingsmustbeinstalledtomaintainashingle-typelayeringwiththeunderlaymentsowaterflowsoverandnotunderthem.

Selectahighwindratedroofcovering(shingles,met-al,etc.)and,regardlessoftype,ensurethatitisinstalledinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’srecommendationsforhighwindregions.Lookforroofingthatmeetsthestandards:ASTMD3161enhanced,orUL2390forwindresistanceandUL2218forimpactresistance.

StrengthenWeakPoints

SoffitsandGableEndsSoffitsinhurricane-affectedareastendtofailallowing

winddrivenrainintotheattic.Vinylandmetalsoffitsthatrestinslotsort-channelsaremostvulnerable.Considerusingplywoodorfibercementsoffitssecurelyanchoredtowoodframingmembersorwindratedsoffitsystems.

Hiproofsaremorewindresistantthangableroofs.Forhomeswithgableroofs,bracingshouldbeinstalledintheattictoresistthedamagingforceofstrongwindsongableendwalls.Formoredetailsonbracinggablewallsandotherprotections,visitwww.ibhs.org

TypicalWallConnections:Studspacingdifferentfromtruss/rafterspacing.

Formoreinformationondisaster-resistantbuildingtechniquesandsystems,gettheLa.Extensionpublica-tion,Building Your Louisiana Home: Homeowners Guide throughyourparishLSUAgCenterofficeorfromwww.LouisianaHouse.org

Ifyouhaveexperiencedstructuraldamage,somestrengtheningoftheroofmayberequiredunderuniformbuildingcodes.Itislikelyyou’llneedtoengageoneormorecontractorstomakerepairs.Informationonselectingacontractor,whatshouldbeinacontractandconsumerprotectionisgiveninPart6,“FinancialRecoveryandRiskManagement.”

ContactyourlocalLSUAgCenterofficelistedunderlocalgovernmentinthetelephonedirectoryorwww.lsuagcenter.com

�9

CaringforLargeElectricalAppliances

Applianceswetbyfloodwaterorbyrainwaterafterroofsweredamagedwillneedextremecarebeforereuse.Thiscarewillbeimportantifthelifeoftheapplianceistobeextendedandforthesafetyoftheuser.

Appliancessubmergedbyfloodwaters,particularlysaltwater,areoftennotrepairable.Appliancesthathavebeenwetbyrainwaterandnotfloodedareoftenrepair-able.Itisalwaysdesirabletohavetheserepairsmadebyareputableserviceperson.Followingdisasters,however,individualswhohavetheseskillsoftenareverybusy,andtheowneroftheappliancemayfinditnecessarytomakerepairs.

Rememberthatanappliancedamagedbywatercansometimesbemadefunctional,butwillprobablyhaveashortenedlifeexpectancy.Dependingontheageandconditionoftheappliancebeforeitwasdamagedbywater,andconsideringthedangerofpersonalinjuryfromim-properrepairs,itmaybeadvisabletoreplacetheapplianceratherthanrepairit.

Manysmallappliances,includingtelevisionsets,microwaveovensandradios,aremoreelectronicthanelectrical.Thetipsofferedinthisfactsheetdonotapplytoelectronicrepairs.Mostsmallappliancesorelectronicdevicesarenoteconomicaltorepair.

MotorandCircuitRepairs• Disconnectallswitches,contacts,motorsandelectrical

wiring.Makeadiagramoftheconnections,orlistthestepsyoutooktodisconnecttheseitems;thiswillhelpyourememberhowtoreassembletheparts.

• Flushallpartsofthesystemwithcleanwater,andallowthepartstodryforseveraldaysbeforereconnecting.

• Usespray-ondryingagentstohelpinthedisplacementofmoistureincontacts,motorsandsoforth.

• Re-assemblethedisconnectedpartsreferringtoyourdiagramorlistofsteps.

• Besuretheapplianceisdryandproperlygroundedbeforereconnecting.

InsulationandMechanicalComponentsAppliancesthatareinsulatedsuchasranges,ovens,

freezers,refrigeratorsandwaterheatersmayneedtohavewetinsulationremovedandreplaced.• Removeinsulationbyopeningtheframeoftheappli-

ance;consultyourowner’smanualforconstructiondetails.Usegloveswhenremovingtheinsulation.Cleanthecavitybeforeinstallingnewinsulatingmaterial.

• Onapplianceswhereinsulationcannotberemoved,replacetheappliance.

• Newerfreezersandrefrigeratorsincluderigidfoaminsulationthatmaynotrequireremoval.

• Remembertocheckthemechanicalpartsoftheelectricappliance.Suchthingsasthebearings,hingesondoorsandothermovingpartsshouldbedriedandlubricatedtopreventrust.

PreventingDamagefromFutureFloodsIftheappliancewasdamagedbyfloodwaterswhich

werelessthan2-feetdeep,youcanhelppreventfuturedamagebyinstallingtherepairedorreplacementapplianceonaplatform.• Considerelevatingtheelectricalsystemitself.Installall

electricalswitchesandoutlets12inchesaboveeitherthe100-yearfloodlevelorthelevelofthehighestknownfloodatyourlocation-whicheverishigher.

• Checkwiththelocalpermitofficetoseewhatpermitsarerequiredforanyphysicalalterationofthelocationofyourappliancesorformodificationoftheelectricalwiringinyourbuilding.

Salvaging Water-damaged BelongingsNatural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 4

Safety• Approachafloodedorwettedappliancewithcau-

tion.Watercanshort-circuitanelectricalappliancesothatpartswhichdon’tnormallyconductelectric-itycanshockyou.

• Disconnectpowertothebuildingortothecircuitwhichfeedsthesuspectedappliance.Thenunplugtheappliance.Ifthepowertothebuildingorneighborhoodhasbeenshutoff,besureallappli-ancessuspectedtohavewaterdamagehavebeenunpluggedbeforepowerisrestored.

• Ifyouareuncertainwhetheranappliancehasbeendamagedbywater,donottestitbypluggingitinand/orturningiton.Eithertreatitasdamagedorhaveaknowledgeableindividualcheckforelectri-calshortstoassurethatitissafetouse.


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SalvagingandCleaningFurnitureBeforestartingtosalvagedamaged

furniture,decidewhichpiecesareworthrestoring.Suchdecisionsshouldbebasedon:extentofdamage,costofthearticle,sentimentalvalue,costofrestorationandqualityofthewoodorfabric.Considereachpieceindividu-ally.

RestoreorReplace?Antiques

Antiquesareprobablyworththetime,effortandexpenseofrestoration.Unlessdamageissevere,youcanprobablyclean,reglueandrefinishantiquesathome.Extensiverepairorre-veneeringworkshouldbedoneatareliablefurniturerepairshop.

SolidwoodfurnitureSolidwoodfurniturecanusuallyberestoredunless

damageissevere.Youwillprobablyneedtoclean,dryandreglueit.Donotthrowawaysolidwoodfurnitureuntilithasdriedandrepaireffortscanbeassessed.Slightlywarpedboardsmayberemovedandstraightenedorre-placed.

WoodveneeredfurnitureWoodveneeredfurnitureisusuallynotworththecost

andeffortofrepair,unlessitisveryvaluablemonetarilyorsentimentally.Ifveneerislooseinjustafewplaces,youmaybeabletorepairit.Veneeredfurniturerepairsareusu-allybestdonebyareliablerefinisher.

UpholsteredfurnitureWetupholsteredfurnituremaybesalvageable,depend-

ingonitsgeneralcondition.Floodedpieceswillrequirereplacementofpaddingandupholstery.Sincethisisanexpensiveprocess,itmightbewisertoapplythemoneytowardanewpieceoffurniture.

Youwillnotneedtorepairallpiecesimmediately.Anyfurnitureworthyofrepairshouldbecompletelycleaned,driedandstoredinadry,shady,well-ventilatedplaceuntilyouhavetimetorepairit.Woodenfurnituredamagedbyfloodscanbestbesalvagedthroughslowdryingandproperrepair.

FirstStepstoRestorationSubmergedorwetwoodenfurniture

Takefurnitureoutdoors,andremoveasmanydrawers,slidesandremovablepartsaspossible.Drawersanddoorswillprobablybestucktight.Donottrytoforcethemoutfromthefront.Withascrewdriverorchisel,removethebackandpushoutthedrawerfrombehind.

Afteryouhaveremovedmovableparts,cleanoffmudanddirt,usingahoseifnecessary.

Takeallfurnitureindoorsandstoreitwhereitwilldryslowly.Furnitureleftinthesunlighttodrywillwarpandtwistoutofshape.

Whenfurnitureisdry,reglueitifnecessary.Youwillneedequipmentandclampstoregluesomepieces.Beforeyoustart,decidewhetheryouhavethetime,equipmentandabilitytodothework.Consultanexperiencedcarpen-terifnecessary.Manybooksareavailableonthesubject.

Toreglueloosejointsorrungs,cutorscrapeoffoldgluesotheareawillbeascleanandfreeofglueaspos-sible.Useawhiteall-purposeglue,followingdirectionsoncontainer.HoldpartstogetherwithrubberropetourniquetsorC-clamps.Topreventdamagefromropesorclamps,padtheseareaswithcloth.

Dampfurniture-removingwhitespotsWhitespotsoracloudyfilmmaydevelopondamp

furniturethathasnotbeensubmerged.Iftheentiresurfaceisaffected,rubwithadampcloth

dippedin(a)turpentineorcamphoratedoilor(b)inasolutionof1/2cuphouseholdammoniaand1/2cupwater.Wipedryatonceandpolishwithwaxorfurniturepolish.

Ifcolorisnotrestored,dip3/0steelwoolinoil(boiledlinseed,olive,mineralorlemon).Rublightlywiththewoodgrain.Wipewithasoftclothandre-wax.

Fordeepspots,useadroportwoofammoniaonadampcloth.Rubatoncewithadrycloth.Polish.Rubbingcigaretteashes,poweredpumiceorapieceofwalnutintospotsmayalsohelpremovethem.Besuretowearrubbergloveswhenusingthesesolutions.

Ifspotsremainafteralleffortstoremovethem,thepieceshouldberefinished.

CleaningTips• Alwayswearrubbergloveswhenusingcleaning

solutionsorworkingwithflood-damagedormoldyfurniture.Takefurnitureoutdoorstoclean.

• Ifmildewhasdeveloped,vacuum(preferablywithanHEPAfilter)surfaceorbrushoffwithabroom.

• Readfibercontentlabelsofupholstery.Testahid-denareausingasolutionoflukewarmsoapywater(1tablespoonsoapto1quartwater),ordilutedenaturedalcohol(1/2alcoholand1/2water)orbleachsolution(1tablespoonbleachtoapintofwater)toseeifcolorisremovedorfabricshrinks.Allowtodry,thendecideifthefabriccanbecleaned.Spongefabrictoremovedirt,andusebleachoralcoholsolutiontoremovemildew.Fabricmayberemovedfromframetoclean,dependingonthedamage.

• Removetacks,nails,braid,otherfasteners.• Althoughwetsyntheticfoampaddingcanberestored,

theriskofcontaminationandcostsusuallymakere-placementabetteroption.Wetcottonorotherorganicpaddingshouldalwaysbereplaced.

• Wipedownwoodenframeswithawoodcleaneroralco-holsolutionremovemoldormildew.Wipedryandallowtoairdryinanopenshadyplace(neverdryfurnitureindirectsunlight).


��

CleaningStorm-soakedClothing

Whencleaningclothessoakedduringstormflooding,rememberthatthefloodwatermayhavebeencontaminatedwithsewagewaste.Simplydry-ingtheseclothesisnotenough.Forsafety,theymustbedisinfectedtokillharmfulbacte-ria.Twotablespoonsofliquidchlorinebleachperwasherloadwillkillbacteriawithoutsubstantiallydamagingclothes.Donotusemorethan2tablespoonsperwasherloadunlessalltheclothescanbesafelybleached.

Drycleaningisalsoeffective.Donotusebleachonwool,silk,feathersandfoam.

Tips• Separatewetitemsassoonaspossibletokeepclothing

colorsfromrunningtogether.Sortoutclothingthatshouldbedrycleaned.Donotmixflood-soiledclotheswithcleanclothes.Takecarenottocontaminateworksurfaces.

• Itemstobedrycleanedshouldbeair-driedandtakentoacleanerassoonaspossible.(Ifyoususpecttheymayhavebeeninsewage-contaminatedwater,wearplasticgloves.)Donotdrytheclothesnearaheatsourcesuchasastove.Oncedry,shakeandbrushclothingoutdoorstoremoveasmuchsoilaspossible.

• Rinsewashableitemsseveraltimesincoldwater.Ifbadlysoiled,soakovernightincoldwaterandanenzymeproductordetergent.Wringoutandairdryifyou’reunabletomachinewash.

• Machinewashclothesassoonaspossible.Useaheavydutydetergentandadisinfectantsuchas2tablespoonsofchlorinebleach,pineoiloraphenolicdisinfectant.Usehighestwaterlevelpossible,don’tovercrowdwasherandusehottestwatertemperaturesuitableforthegarments.Selectthelongestwashcycleavailable.Dryinadryer(ifavailable)atthehighesttemperaturesuitableforthefabric.

• Stainedorverydirtyclothesmayrequireaddinganappropriatebleachtothewash.Followdirectionsonthebleachcontainersandgarmenttagsfortypesandamountstouse.

• Ifanitemisstillstainedafterwashing,rewashbeforedrying.Dryingmaymakesomestainshardertoremove.

ContactyourlocalCooperativeExtensionServiceofficelistedunderlocalgovernmentinthetelephonedirec-toryorwww.lsuagcenter.com

• Dryspringsandothermetalparts.Ifrusthasformed,youmayneedtoreplaceorclean.Usesteelwoolandcoatwithpaint.Alightoilcouldbewipedonmetalpartstohelppreventlaterrusting.Manymajormanufac-turerskeeprecordsoffabricormetalpartswhichcanbeorderedfromthedealerforreplacement.

• Besureallpartsaredrybeforereassembling.• Areliablefurniturerepairshopwillgiveestimateson

costofredoingfurniture.Also,considerreplacementcostandvalueofeachpiece.Ifinsuranceallowspartvalueonflood-damagedfurniture,itmaybefinanciallyworthwhiletoapplythemoneytonewarticles,ratherthanpayforextensiverepairs.

CleaningCarpetsandFloorsCleaningwater-soakedcarpetsandfloorsisdifficultin

itself,butintheaftermathofastormorflood,contamina-tionbymud,silt,sewageandmildewcancompoundtheproblem.

It’sbesttoreplacecarpetsandgetprofessionalclean-erstoworkonfloors,butthismaynotbepossible.Inanycase,begincleanupassoonaspossible.

Tips• Pullupallsaturatedcarpetsandrugs,andtakethem

outdoors.• Ifyouwishtosalvagevaluablerugsandwaterwasnot

contaminated,hosemuddycarpetsdown.Workalow-sudsing,disinfectantcarpetcleaningproductdeepintosoiledspotswithabroom.

• Ifonlysmallareasofcarpetgotwetfromleaks,pullupandpropthewetcarpettodry.Cutawaywetpadding.

• Todiscouragemildewandodors,rinsethebackingwithasolutionof2tablespoonsbleachto1gallonwater.Don’tusethissolutiononwoolcarpets.Alsodisinfecttheslaborsubfloor.

• Discardandreplacefoampads.• Sectionsofsubfloorsthatseparatemustbereplacedto

avoidbuckling.Whenfloorcoveringsareremoved,al-lowsubfloorstodrythoroughly,eventhoughitmaytakeseveralmonths.Disinfectallwetsurfaces.

• Inwoodfloors,removeaboardeveryfewfeettoreducebucklingcausedbyswelling.Askacarpenterfortipsonremovingtongue-and-grooveboards.

• Cleananddryfloorthoroughlybeforeattemptingrepairs.Usingadehumidifierwillspeedthedryingpro-cess.

• Invinylfloorswithwoodsubflooring,thefloorcoveringshouldberemovedsothesubflooringcanbereplaced.Withconcretefloors,removalisn’tnecessaryexcepttohastendryingoftheslab.

• Loosetilesmaybereplacedifthefloorhasnotbeensoaked.Ifwaterhasseepedundersheetflooring,re-movetheentiresheet.

• Whilecleaning,washexposedskinfrequentlyinpuri-fiedwater.Wearrubbergloves.


��

Winds,floodsandwinterstormscanbeverydamagingtoplants.TheinformationinthispartoftheStormRecoveryGuidewillhelpyousalvagesomeplants,includinggrasses,andgiveyousomewaystorecycleplantdebris.There’salsosomediscussionfordeterminingthevalueoflawnandgardenlosses.

SalvageTipsWhenplantmaterialhasbeendamagedbecauseof

intensewindsorflooding,promptcareshouldbetakentosalvageallusableplants.

ResettingGenerally,itispracticalandeconomicaltoresetonly

small,youngandeasy-to-managetrees.Large,weakenedtreesandshrubsmaybedangerous,areslowtorecoverandmaybesusceptibletofutureproblemsandevenmoreseverewinddamagelater.Fallenorpartiallyuprootedsmalltreesandshrubsmaybesavedinmanyinstances,sokeeprootscoveredandmoistbeforeresetting.

Incertainareas,whereerosionandfloodinghaveoc-curred,areconditioningofsoilorplantingareamaybenecessary.Additionalsoilshouldbeincorporatedintotheplantingareaforproperrootcoverage.Replanttreesandshrubsattheiroriginalplantingdepthorslightlyhigher.Excesssoilorexposedrootswillcausefurthershockanddamage.Firmsoilaroundrootstoeliminateairpocketsandprovidesupport.Stakingthefirstyearmaybeneededuntilrootsbecomere-established.

RepairingandPruningInremovingportionsofaplant,usesharptoolsthat

makeasmooth,cleancut.Avoidmakingflushcuts.In-stead,cutthebranchbacktotheoutsideofthebranchcollar(theslightswollenareawherethebranchgrowsoutfromthemainbranchortrunk).Leavenostubs.Raggedcutsandunsightlystubsareprimeareasfortheattackofinsectsordiseaseorganisms.Flushcutsremovecellsthatcoverandhealwounds.Whenremovinglargelimbs,avoidunnecessarystrippingofbarkdownthesideofatrunkorprimarylimb.Toeliminatestripping,thefirstcutshouldbeanundercuthalfwaythroughthebottomofthelimb,about12inchesoutsideofthebranchcollar.Thesecondcutisfromthetopofthebranch,about8inchesoutsidethebranchcollar,andshouldgoallthewaythroughthebranchtoremovethebranch.Thethirdcutistotrimthestubtotheouteredgeofthebranchcollar.

Pruningandthinningshouldbedoneatthetimeofresettingtoreduceweightandremovebrokenandweak-enedlimbs.Pruneoffonlydamagedbranches.Innocaseshouldexcessiveamountsofpruningtakeplace.Foliageisrequiredtomanufactureplantfood,andplantsneedtomanufacturefoodtorecoverandresumehealthygrowth.

Ifyouneedtouseachainsawtoremovetreesorlargebranches,orifyouneedtoclimbaladdertoreachaffectedbranches,itismuchsaferforyouandthetreetoengagetheservicesofaprofessional,state-licensedarboristtodothework.AlistofstatelicensedarboristsinyourareaisavailablefromtheLouisianaDepartmentofAgricultureandForestryathttp://www.ldaf.state.la.usoryoucancall225-952-8100.

Cutawayonlybadlydamagedroots.Ifrootsareexposedonblownoverplants,immediatelycoverthemtokeepthemmoistuntiltheplantcanbeuprightedandtherootsburied.

WateringWaterallnewlysetplantsimmediatelyand,duringdry

spells,alittlemorefrequentlythanundernormalcircum-stances.Droughtmaycauseadditionaldamagetoplantsnotwateredregularly.Deepsoakingwithaslowstreamofwaterismostbeneficialforrootgrowth.Thisalsowilltendtoeliminateairpocketsaroundtheroots.Asoakerhoseoraregularhosesetonaslowdripisperfectforthis.Leaveontherootzonefor8-24hours,nomorethanonceevery7-10daysduringdryperiods.Smallershrubsandtreescanbeirrigatedlikethisevery5-7days.

MulchingMulchwillconservemoisture,reduceweedsandbe

helpfulinre-establishingshrubsandtrees.Mulchwithfall-enleaves,lawnclippings,pineneedlesortreebark.Usealayerofmulch2-4inchesdeep,andkeepmulch2-3inchesawayfromthetrunkofthetree.

StakingTreesandlargeshrubsthatareresetshouldbestaked

untiltheybecomewellre-established.Stakingisalsoasecurityagainststressthatmaycomeifplantsexperienceotherwinddamagebeforere-establishment.Usemetalstakesorhardwoodstakesthatwillnotdecayforseveralmonthstoayear.Placestakesatanangleawayfromthetrunkforgreatestsupport.Avoiddrivingthestakesthroughthemainroots.Toavoidinjuringthetrunkuseawidestraporcloththatwillreduceabrasionofthebark.Ifyouusewireorcable,besuretorunitthroughshortlengthsofoldgardenhosetocushionthebark.Securelyanchorplantsfromthreesidestopreventmovementduringnormalhighwindsandrain.

Lawn and Garden LossesNatural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 5


��Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 5

Stakingcanbedangerous.Placeallstakesoutofthepathofpeoplesotheywillnottriponthemortheguywires.Itwouldbewisetoclearlymarkorusebrightpaintonobstacles.

FertilizingAsageneralrule,fertilizerisnotappliedtoplantsthat

havebeendamageduntiltheyovercometheshock,usuallythenextyear.Untiltheybecomere-established,fertilizerwillbeofnomajorbenefitandmayinjuretheplantbycausingexcessivegrowththatdamagedrootscan’tfeedorwater.

Fertilizerappliedlateinsummermayalsocauselategrowththatwillbemoresusceptibletoearlyfreezeinjury.

TreatingFreezeDamageIftreesshowseveredamagebybarkpeeling,you

shouldpeelloosebarkoffsonewbarkcangrowback.Fertilizethetreeinthespring.Someprotectionforfruittreesorsmall,thin-barkedtreescanbeprovidedbydeepmulchesatthebaseandwrappingthebottomtrunkwithwrapsuchasanoldcoat.DonotfertilizeplantslateintheyearorbeforeFebruarytopreventactivegrowthduringcold,winterweatherandtoincreasedormancy.Followuponfreeze-damagedplantswithpruningbeforeleafingout.Besuretoremoveexcessmulch(deeperthan4inches)andtrunkwrappingassoonascoldweatherpasses.

TreeDebrisandRenewalUseasmuchtreeandplantwasteaspossibletopre-

ventburdenonlandfills.

Tips• Cutsuitabletreesforfirewood.Fallentreesshouldbe

cutwithinoneyearforuseasfirewood,andthestackedwoodshouldbeprotectedfromrain.Thethermalcon-tentofwooddecreasesasdecayincreases.Ash,oakandpecanmakeverygoodfirewood.Pineandgumwouldbebetterusedforotherpurposes.Firewoodsplittersmaybeavailableforrent.

• Makemulchandcompost.Mosttreewastewillbedecayedwithinseveralyears,anditprovidesavalu-ablesourceoforganicmatter.Nitrogenfertilizercanbeaddedtomulchandorganicmattertobreakitdownsooner.Chippersmaybeavailableforrent.Formoreinformationoncompostingandmakingmulch,askfortheExtensionpublications“BackyardComposting”and“BasicPrinciplesofComposting.”Thebesttreesformulcharesofterspecieswhichdecayfasterandareeasiertocompost.

• Usetreesectionsasframingforraisedbeds,fortempo-rarybridgesandforerosioncontrolonsteep,erodingsites.Theymaybepiledinruralareasforwildlifehabitatorfishshelters.Fishsheltersshouldbefirmlyse-curedinflowingwaterstopreventdownstreamblockageofwaterways.

• Whencutoffatorabovetheground,manyfavoritetreeswillsproutfromthestumpandgrowagain.Trimneatlyandmakecleancutsonanytreesneedingpruning.

Contactlocalnurseriesoryourcountyagentforpruningadvice.

• Deadtreestumpsleftinthegroundwilldecay,some-timesproducinglargeholes.Thiswilltakeseveralyears.Tospeeduptheprocess,considerusingastumpgrinderwherelargetreeshavebeenlost.Theoccasionaladditionofnitrogenfertilizertothetopofagroovedstumpwillalsopromoterapiddecay.

AssessingLandscapeandTreeLoss

Youmaybeabletoclaimastormlossorinsurancebenefitasaresultofstormdamage.Herearewaystoassessthevalueofdamagedtreesandlandscaping:

• Thedecreaseinthefairmarketvalueofthepropertyasaresultofthecasualty.

• Theadjustedbasisintheproperty.• Theamountofinsuranceorothercompensation

allowed.• Thecostofreplacement(whenreplacementis

possible).

Thedecreaseinfairmarketvalueiscalculatedtwoways:(1)appraisalsimmediatelybeforeandafterthecasu-altyand(2)deductionfromthebefore-casualtyfairmarketvaluelessthecostofcleanup,repairorreplacement.Competentlossappraisalsbyrealestateappraisersarethebestproofofdecreaseinfairmarketvalue.Appraisalfeesaredeductibleunderexpensesincurredtodeterminetaxliability.Thosefeesarenotpartofthecasualtyloss.

Cleanup,repairandreplacementcostsonthedamagedlandscapemaybeusedtomeasurethedecreaseinpropertyvalueif:

• Therepairsarenecessarytorestorethepropertytoitsconditionbeforethecasualty.

• Theamountspentonrepairsisnotexcessive.• Thereplacementorrepairsdonomorethantake

careofthedamagesustained.• Thevalueofthepropertyaftertherepairsdoesnot,

asaresultoftherepairs,exceedthevalueofthepropertybeforethecasualty.

TheIRSallowshomeownerstodeductlandscapelossesthatreducethefairmarketvalue(FMV)oftheirproperties.TheycancalculatetheselossesbyestimatinghowmuchitwillcosttorestorethepropertytoitsFMV(cleanup,repairandreplacement).

Homeownerswhosustainsignificantdamagetoland-scapetreesmaywishtocontacttheIRStodeterminewhatothermethodsareusedtoevaluatetreevalue.Ifhomeown-ersdecidetopursueinsuranceclaimsortaxdeductions,theymustprovethatcasualtylosswassustainedbecauseofthestormorfloodandthatamountsclaimedaslossaredeductible.Suchrecord-keepingalsoisimportantinsub-stantiatinganyclaimsforlossrecovery.

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• Pruningcanbeusedtoremoveweightfromleaningtreesthataretobereset.Removingsomeofthecanopycanlessenthedemandonthedamagedrootsystemontreesthatarereset.Resultsareusuallybestwhenresettingtoppledorleaningyoungsmalltreesorshrubs.Straighteningoldertreesusuallytakesheavierequip-ment,whichisdifficulttouseinsoilssoftenoughtostraightentreeswithouttearingalotoftheremainingintactroots.Straightenedtreeswillrequiresupportslinesforpossiblyseveralyearswhiletheyreestablishtheirrootsystems.

Dikes,terracesorraisedplantingbedsthatwerealteredneedtobereshapedtoprotectthearea,coverexposedrootsorprovideamediumfornewrootgrowth.Usethesmallestequipmentpossibletoaccomplishthejob.Thisminimizescompactionandreducesfurtherrootdamage.Prematuredefoliationcausedbyveryhighwindspeeds

willweakenfruits.Defoliationcoupledwithrootdamagewillcauseadditionalstressbecausetherootsystemservesasatremendousstoragereservoirforcarbohydratesmanufacturedbytheleaves.Withoutthisreservoirofcarbohydratestocallonforenergyduringthewinter,theplantsmaybesavedintheshortrunonlytodieduringthewinter.Oncethetopdamagehasbeenprunedoutandafterthefirstfreeze,applynitrogeninacompletefertilizerattherateof30poundsactualNperacre.Thiswillhelptheplantstartnewrootgrowth,whichwillcontinueduringthewinteraslongasthesoiltemperatureisabove45degreesF.Soilconcentra-tionsof3,000ppmsolublesaltwillmakefruitcultureverydifficult.However,somefruitsaremuchmoresalttolerantthanothers.Grapes,figs,pomegranatesandpecansareexamplesoffruitsthatwillnotbehurtbyincreasedsaltconcentrationsasreadilyasblueberries,strawberriesandblackberries.Ifsoilsaltconcentrationishigh,irrigatefrequentlytohelpreducethebuildupofsaltafterevaporation.Testallirrigationwaterforsalin-ity.Ifirrigationpondshavebeencontaminated,pumpthemoutandfillwithcleanriverorwellwater.Rainfall,whilecomplicatingothercleanupactivities,helpstoflushthesoil.

• Usingwaterwithhighsodiumcontent,250–400ppm,forextensiveirrigationcancauseinternalsoildrainageproblems.Theseproblemscansomewhatbecorrectedbyusinggypsum.

• Applyattherateof2ouncesofgypsumpersquarefootofarea(2¾tonsperacre),andimmediatelyirrigatetomovethematerialintothesoilprofile.


Specifically,homeownersmustbepreparedtoshow:1.Thenatureofthecasualtyandwhenitoccurred.2.Thatthelosswasthedirectresultofasuddenandun-

usualeventsuchasstorm,lightingorwind.3.Thattheclaimantistheowneroftheproperty.

Thecostsofthepropertycanbeprovedbypurchasecontracts,deed,etc.;valuebeforeandafterthecasualty;ortheamountofinsuranceorothercompensationreceivedorrecoverable.

Tips• Photographsofthepropertybeforeandafterthedamage

helpshowtheconditionandvalueofthepropertybeforethecasualty.

• Localnewspaperarticles,completewithdatesandthenewspaper’sname,serveasevidenceofthecasualtyanditstimeandlocation.

• Appraisalsarethemostdesirabletoolsforestablishingvaluesbeforeandafterthecasualties.

• Keepreceiptsforrepairandreplacementforclaimsaswellasnamesofwitnesseswhocanhelpsubstantiateclaims.

• ACPA,IRSagentorotherknowledgeabletaxpersonshouldbepromptlycontactedforguidance.

SmallFruitStrategiesAfteraStorm

Stormdamagetosmallfruitsshowsitselfindifferentways,depend-ingoncropgrowthhabitaswellasproximitytothestorm.Forinstance,windisthemostdestructiveelementformostfruittreesandvinecrops,whiletoomuchwater,insomeinstancessaltwater,adverselyaffectsothercrops.

Herearesuggestionstohelpfruitgrowersevaluatetheirdamageandtakewhatevercorrectiveactionispos-sible.• Damagedlimbsshouldbecutbacktosoundwoodfol-

lowingnormalselectivepruningpractices. Thisincludespruningbacktolateralbuds,crotchesor

trunk.Cutsshouldbemadejustoutsidethelimbcollar,aridgecirclingthebaseofthelimb.Thiswillenablepruningcutstohealfaster.Whenpossible,maintainabalancedappearancetotheprunedtrees.Researchhasshownthatpruningcutsdonotneedtobesealedwithpruningpaint.

�5Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 5

SalinityandTurfgrassesAfteraHurricane

Thesurgeofsaltwaterbroughtinlandbyahurricanecancausealotofdamagetoturfgrassesonlawns,golfcourses,sodfarms,parks,playgrounds,sportsfieldsandleisure-recreationsites.Herearesuggestionstohelpturfmanagersovercomesaltwaterdamagetoturf.

Irrigationwithclean,sodium-free,freshwaterisprob-ablythemostimportantpracticetofollowwhenrinsingaccumulatedsaltsfromturfleafsurfacesandleachingsaltsfromrootzonesofsoils.Testallirrigationwatersourcesforsalinity.Iftheirrigationpondhasbeenfloodedwithsaltwater,pumpitoutandfillwithcleanriverorwellwa-ter.Or,irrigatefromthewellorriverifnotcontaminatedwithsalt.

Naturalrainfallovertimewillpurgethesaltfromthesoil.Thisisdependentontheamountofrainfall.• BermudaandespeciallySt.AugustineorSeashore

Paspalummatureturfgrasseshavegoodrelativesalinitytolerance(1500ppmtotalsolublesalts).

• Tallfescue,zoysiaandperennialryegrasshavemediumsalinitytolerance(800-1000ppmtotalsolublesalts).

• Redfescue,Roughbluegrass,Kentuckybluegrassandcentipedegrasshavepoorrelativesalinitytolerance(600-800ppmtotalsolublesalts).

Repeatedirrigationwithwatercontaining1200ppmtotalsolublesaltswillbeharmfultotheturfunlessfol-lowedbysufficientrainfallorfreshirrigationwater.Evenirrigationwatercontaining500to600ppmtotalsolublesalts,whenusedrepeatedlywithoutbeingflushedwith

freshwaterfromrainfallorirrigation,cancreateaproblembyallowingsaltstoaccumulateintherootzoneofthesoil,especiallyinsoilswithpoorinternaldrainage.

Ifitisfalloverseedingtime,rememberthatturf-typeperennialryegrasseshaveonlymediumtolerancetosalinity.Toavoidalossinstandofwintercover,testthesoilsforsalinitybeforeoverseeding.Highsaltlevelsaremoredamagingwhentheplantsareyoungandthesoilisdry.Trytokeepthesoilmoistatleastwhentheplantsaresmall.

Gypsum(calciumsulfate,18%sulfur,20%calcium)canbeusedtohelpdisplacesaltfromthesoil.Gypsumworksbestwhenincorporatedintothesoil,butitcanbebroadcastontheturf.Try50poundsofgypsumper1,000squarefeet.Gypsumisnotverysolubleinwater,butitismoresolublethanlimestone.Irrigateaftergypsumappli-cationtomoveitintothesoilsurfaceandrootzoneoftheturf.Allowtimeforthechemicalreaction,thentestsoilsalinityinfourtosixmonths.Continueirrigationtoleachthesaltsintosoilbelowtherootzone.Poorlydrainedsoilswillbedifficulttoleach.

Waterloggingthesoilforextendedperiodscanbeasharmfultotheturfasexcesssolublesalts.Coreaerifica-tionordeeptineaerification,preferablywithcoringtines,canhelpimproveinfiltrationandpercolationofwaterandsaltsthroughthesoilandbelowtherootzone.

ContactyourlocalLSUAgCenterofficelistedunderlocalgovernmentinthetelephonedirectoryorwww.lsuagcenter.com.

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Asyouattempttorestoreyourlifeandhomeafterastormorflood,youwillfacemanydecisions.Inmanycases,thedecisionswillinvolveconsiderableinvestments.Naturally,you’llwanttorecoverasmuchaspossiblethroughyourhomeowner’sandfloodinsurancepolicies.Whereinsurancefallsshortofyourneeds,othertypesofassistancemaybeavailable,especiallyafterapresiden-tiallydeclareddisaster.Partofyourfinancialrecoveryinvolvesmakinggoodbusinessdecisionswhencontractingforrepairs.

Thesepagesgiveadviceondocumentinglosses,insurance,financialassistance,contractingandconsumerprotection.

DocumentingLossesandClaims

Whetheryou’refilingforinsurance,seekingassistanceorclaimingacasualtytaxdeduction,youwillneedproofofyourlosses.Beforeyoustartcleanup,takepictures.Ifyoucan’ttakepictures,describethesituationaccurately,listingthespecificitemswhichhavebeenlostordamaged.Keepdamagedmaterialsforproofoflossunlessyouradjusterauthorizestheirdisposal.It’sokaytoremovethedamagedarticlesfromtheirorigi-nallocationtopreventfurtherdamagetothebuilding,butdonotdiscard.

Remembertodocumentthelossesinyourlandscapeandgarden.Also,documenttheamountofdebrisyouwillhavetoremove,andwhetheritcamefromyourpropertyorelsewhere.Thefloodinsurancepolicy,andsomehomeowner’sinsurancepolicies,coverdebrisremoval.Ifyoudiscardanappliance,recordtheserialnumber.Ifyoudiscardalargeitemsuchas??–keepasample.• Saveallreceiptsrelatingtoyourtemporarylodgingand

foodifyourhomeisuninhabitable.Somepoliciespaythedifferencebetweennormallivingexpensesandthecostoflivingelsewhere,althoughthefloodinsurancepolicydoesnot.

• Savereceiptsfortemporaryrepairsyoumadetoprotectyourpropertyfromfurtherdamage.

• Savereceiptsformaterialsyoupurchasedandotheritemsrelatedtoprotectingyourbuildingorcontentsfromflooddamage.Youmaybeabletoclaimtheseonyourfloodinsurancepolicy.

• Keepacopyofalllettersandreceiptsthataresenttoinsurancecompaniesorreliefagencies.

• Keeparecordofallphonecallsmadeinattemptstoreceivereimbursementsoraid.Besuretoincludedateandtimeofcallandnameofpersonspokento.

FilingforInsuranceThesetipsareofferedtoguideyouinfilinginsurance

claimsfordamagetoyourhomeandlossofpersonalproperty:• Callyourinsuranceadjusterimmediately,andprovidea

phonenumberwhereyoucanbereached.• Aftercarefullydocumentinglosses,begincleanupand

salvageassoonaspossible.Don’twaitforanadjuster.Keepdamagedmaterialsinanisolatedspotasfarfromthebuildingaspossible.

• Followuponyourinsurancecallwithaletterdetailingtheproblem.Keepacopyoftheletter.

• Leavephonenumberswhereyoucanbereachedwhentheadjusterarrives.

• Asktheadjustertoassessdamages.Signtheproofoflossstatement.Reportadditionaldamageasitisfound.

• Provideanyotherinformationtheadjusterrequests.

Besuretofileyourinsuranceclaimswithinthepolicy’simposedtimelimits.FortheNationalFloodInsuranceProgrampolicy,thistimelimitis60days;forhomeowner’spolicies,itvaries.Reviewthesettlementstepsoutlinedinyourpolicy.Ifyou’redissatisfiedwiththeproposedsettlementoffer,explainyourpositioninwriting.

Ifthere’sasignificantdifferencebetweenwhatyouareofferedandwhatyoubelieveyouareentitledto,youmaywishtosubmitthedisputetoarbitration.ThearbitrationprocessforaNationalFloodInsuranceProgramclaimisdescribedinthepolicyunder“Appraisal”inArticle9.

Itcanbedifficulttodeterminewhetherdamagewascausedbywindorflood,andthuswhichinsurancepolicywillcovertheloss.FollowingHurricanesKatrinaandRita,theLouisianaStateDepartmentofInsuranceestab-lishedamediationprogramtoaidinsettlingsuchdisputes.

Homeowner’sInsuranceManypeoplearesurprisedabout

theextentofprotectionahomeowner’sinsurancepolicyoffers.Althoughyourhomeowner’spolicydoesnotcoverdamagecausedbyrisingfloodwaters,itmayoffersomeprotectionfromlosscausedbywind,rain,hail,snow,light-ningandfreezingtemperatures.

Increasingly,policiesforhomesinhurricanezonesexcludewinddamage,orifthecoverageisoffered,it’savailableonlyinseparatepoliciesatahighercost.Insomeareas,privateinsuranceisnotavailable,andpropertyown-erscanobtaininsuranceonlythroughastateinsuranceprogramthatmayprovideminimalcoveragealsoatahighercost.

Financial Recovery and Risk ManagementNatural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 6


��Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 6

Ifyouhaveexperiencedalossordamagetoproperty,reviewyourpolicy’sprovisionsandcontactyourinsuranceagenttofileaclaimand/ortoupdateyourpolicytoincludethecoverageneededforthefuture.Besureyourcoverageamountisalwaysatleast80%ofthecurrentreplacementcostofyourhome.Otherwise,youwillnotbepaidthefullcostofreplacingapartialloss.

Also,mosthomeowner’spoliciespayforlossestoyourcontents(furniture,appliances,clothes,etc.)onanactualcashvaluebasis(replacementcostminusdeprecia-tionforageorwearandtear).Abetteroptionistobuyreplacementcostcoveragethatpaysthefullcosttoreplaceyourpersonalpropertyattoday’sprices.Althoughthecostishigher,theextraprotectionisusuallyworthit.

Astandardhomeowner’spolicydoesnotcoveryourcars,mostrecreationalvehicles,watercraft,animals,birdsorfish.Whilehomeowner’sinsurancedoesnotcoverlossesfromrisingwater,itusuallydoescoverwaterdam-agefromsuchthingsasleakingroofs,brokenwindowsandbrokenpipesbutexcludesmolddamage.Mostpoliciesdonotcoversewerbackupunlessyoupurchaseasewerbackupendorsement.

Youshouldknow,ifyouareinadesignatedspecialfloodhazardareaandyourstructureissubstantiallydam-agedbyanyforce(wind,water,fire),youmayberequiredbythelocalpermitofficetomeettheflooddamagepreven-tionrequirementsfornewconstruction;forresidentialstructuresthismeanselevation.Astructureissubstantiallydamagedwhenthecostofrestoringthestructuretoitspre-damageconditionis50%ormoreofitspre-damagemarketvalue.Ownersofstructuresinspecialfloodhazardareascanpartiallyinsurethemselvesfortheaddedexpenseofelevatingawind-orfire-damagedstructurebeforere-pairsbypurchasinga“CodeCompliance”endorsementontheirhomeowner’spolicy.

FloodInsuranceLossescausedbyrisingfloodwaterarenotcovered

undermosthomeowner’sinsurancepolicies.IfyouhavepurchasedcoveragethroughtheNationalFloodInsuranceProgramatleast30daysbeforebeingaffectedbyaflood,youwillbeprotectedagainstpropertydamagecausedbysuchflooding.Youmayalsobepartiallyreimbursedforstepsyoutaketopreventflooddamage,evenifthefloodneverreachesyourbuilding.

FloodinsurancepoliciesincludeanendorsementcalledIncreasedCostofCompliance(ICC).Thiscover-agewillpayupto$30,000forelevatingorrelocatinganinsureddwellingsothatitisabovethefloodprotectionelevationrequiredfornewconstruction.Fornonresidentialstructures,floodproofingbyothermethodsmayalsobecovered.Thecoveragemaybeusedtowardthecostofdemolishingthefloodpronestructureandbuildinganelevatedfoundationforanewstructureattherequiredelevation.

Atpresent,ICCcoverageisavailableonlyforstruc-turesthathavebeensubstantiallydamagedbyacurrentfloodeventforwhichadamageclaimisbeingfiled.Incommunitieswithcumulativesubstantialdamageordi-nances,eligibilitymayincludetheamountofdamageincurredinapriorflood.

Finalresponsibilityfordeterminingwhetherastructurehasbeensubstantiallydamagedrestswiththecommunity.InmostLouisianacommunities,thedeterminationwillbemadebyorthroughthefloodplainadministratorwhoisusuallythebuildingorpermitofficial.Findyourlocalfloodplainofficeatwww.LouisianaFloods.org/officials.

Insurancedoesn’tprotectyourhome,itprotectsyourpocketbook,andmakesitpossibleforyoutorestoreorre-build.Therearethingsyoucandotoprotectpropertyfromdamagebynaturalhazards.It’scalled“mitigation.”Askaboutourfloodprotectionfactsheetsandhurricaneguide,orcheckthewww.LouisianaFloods.orgWebsite.

TipsTheseitemsareusuallycoveredbutmayvary

accordingtothepolicy’sprovisionsanduptothedollaramountsthatyoupurchased:• Yourhouse,includingrentalunitsthatarepartof

thebuilding,andanyattachmentstothebuildingsuchasagarage.

• Anystructuresonyourgroundsthatarenotat-tachedtoyourhousesuchasagarage,toolshed,poolcabana,gazeboorfences.

• Vacantlandthatyouownorrent,withtheexcep-tionoffarmland.

• Cemeteryplotsorburialvaultsthatyouown.• Personalpossessionsthatyouormembersof

yourhouseholdownoruseanywhereintheworld.Thisincludesthecontentsofyourhouseandanystructuresonyourgrounds.Italsocoversanypossessionsthatguestsbringtoyourhouse,butitdoesnotincludethepossessionsofanytenantsyoumayhavelivinginyourhome.

• Anyitemsfriendshavelenttoyouthatyou’rekeepingonyourproperty.

• Yourlivingexpenses,ifyourhouseisunlivablebecauseofdamage.

• Rentalpayments,ifyounormallyrentpartofyourhousebutitisunlivablebecauseofdamage.

• Legalresponsibilityforunauthorizeduseofyourcreditcards,checksforgedunderyournameorcounterfeitcurrencyacceptedingoodfaith.

• Settlements,medicalexpenses,defenseandcourtcostsinvolvedinclaimsbroughtagainstyouforbodilyinjurytoothersordamagetothepropertyofothers.

Manypolicyholdersmaybeunawareoftheextentoftheprotectionofferedbytheirhomeowner’sinsurance.Ifyouhaveexperiencedalossordamagetoproperty,reviewyourpolicy’sprovisionsandcontactyourinsuranceagenttofileaclaimand/ortoupdateyourpolicytoincludethecoverageneededforthefuture.

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CreditandOtherSourcesOf Relief

Victimsofnaturalhazardswhoselossesexceedtheirinsurancecoveragesmayobtainloansorotherfinancialassistance.• TheRedCrossoftenhelpswithimmediate

buildingrepairsandlivingexpenseswhennootherimmediateassistanceisavailable.

• Merchantsanddealersmayextendcreditforfeed,equipmentandrehabilitationofbuildingsandland.

• TheSmallBusinessAdministration(SBA)offersmedium-andlong-termloansforrehabilitationofnon-farmhomesandsmallbusinessesifoveralldamageinthecommunitymeetscertaincriteria.Borrowersmayobtain20%overtherepairloanamountformitigation(toprotectthepropertyfromfuturedamagebynaturalhazards).

• Commercialandfederallandbanksofferloanswithmoderatelylowinterestratesforhomerepairs,improve-ments,landequipmentandlivestock.

• Afteramajordisaster,manymortgagelendersofferpaymentgraceperiods,forbearance,ormaybewillingtorestructureloanterms.MortgageloanswithnodownpaymentrequirementmaybeavailabletostormvictimsfromprivatelendersandtheUSDARuralHousingSer-vice.

• Insurancecompaniesofferlong-termloansatrelativelyhighinterestratesforhomerepair,improvements,land,equipmentandlivestock.

• Uninsuredlosses,andtheuninsuredportionoflosses,shouldbereportedasanadditionalitemizeddeductiononfederalincometaxformScheduleAundercasualtylosses.

FederalDisasterAssistanceIfaneventisdeclaredasamajordisasterbythepresi-

dent,numerousadditionalsourcesoffederalassistancewillbecomeavailable.TheFederalEmergencyManage-mentAgencywillsetupadisasterregistrationhot-lineandwillusuallyworkwiththeLouisianaOfficeofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyPreparednesstoestablishlocaldi-sasterrecoverycenters.Thehot-lineandrecoverycenterswillbesourcesofaccesstothevariousfederalassistanceprograms.

InadditiontotheSBAloansalreadymentioned,thesetypesofassistanceareusuallyavailable:• Individualandfamilygrants,forthosewhodonot

qualifyforaloan• Temporaryhousingassistance• Unemploymentassistance• Assistancewithrecoveryplanning;mitigationadvice• Legalservicestolow-incomefamiliesandindividuals• Crisiscounselingfordisaster-relatedmentalhealth

problems• Specialincometaxadviceandtreatment

Housingrehabilitationassistanceforlow-andmoder-ate-incomehouseholdsmayalsobeavailableinsomecommunitiesthroughtheU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentprogramsadministeredbylocalandstateagencies.

Recipientsoffederalassistanceforflooddamagewillberequiredtopurchaseandmaintainfloodinsuranceontheirproperty.Incatastrophicdisasterscongressmayau-thorizeadditionalfinancialassistanceandprograms.

ContractingforRepairsand Rebuilding

SelectingaContractorAsyouattempttorestoreyourlifeandhomeaftera

storm,theavailabilityoflocalcompaniesandindividualstoperformthenecessaryserviceswillbelimited.Itoftenmaybeadvisabletodotemporaryrepairsandwaitforlo-calcontractorswhowillbetheretoguaranteetheirworklongafterthestormisover.Ifitisnecessarytocompletetherepairs,however,itisimportanttoreceivegoodqualitywork,ormajordeteriorationmayappearlater.

Outsidecontractorsandcompanieswillentertheareatooffertheirservices.Somearehonestandwilldoanadequatejob,butbecarefulinworkingwithoutsidecontractors.

Itisadvisable,ifpossible,tocheckwiththeBetterBusinessBureau,eitherinLouisianaorinthestateandcitywherethecompanyorpersonislocated.ItalsoisadvisabletocheckwithothersforwhomtheyhaveworkedinLouisiana.Determineiftheyhaveperformedinatimelyandadequatemanner.

Verifythatageneral,remodelingormoldremovalcontractorislicensedwiththeLouisianaStateLicensingBoardforContractors.Visitwww.lslbc.state.la.usforasearchablelist.

Askabouttrainingorexperienceincomplyingwiththewindandfloodprovisionsofthecurrentbuildingcode.

Askforproofofinsurance.Thecontractormusthavedisabilityandworkers’compensationinsurance,oryoumaybeliableforaccidentsoccurringonyourproperty.

Donotpayinadvance.Donotletthecontractorbeginworkuntilyouhaveasignedcontract.Whenthejobiscompletetoyoursatisfaction,paybycheckorcreditcard,notcash.

Ifyoucannotfindacontractorwillingtoacceptthesebasicterms,strengthenthepatchesandwaitpatientlyuntilyoucanbesureofagoodjob.Evenundercriticalemer-gencyconditions,complete,highqualityrepairsmustbedone,ordamageanddeteriorationwillappearlater.


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ContractEssentialsTheofferandacceptance(agree-

ment) todospecificthingsinaspecificmanner.Stateclearly,simplyandcompletelyallthatistobedone.Ifbeginningandfinishingdatesareinvolved,statetheminthebodyofthecontract.Agooditemtoincludeinacontractforhomere-buildingisthatmaterialsandproceduresusedwillbethoseprovidedforinminimumstandardsofthecurrentbuildingcode.

GuaranteesIncludewhatisguaranteedandforhowlong.Also

includewhoisresponsiblefortheguarantee(contractor,dealerormanufacturer).

PermitsStatewhoisresponsibleforobtainingandpayingfor

anyrequiredbuildingpermits.

PartiesPartiesinvolvedmustbeatleast18yearsofageand

mentallycompetent(notinsane,retardedorsufferingmen-talproblemsofaging).Allpartiesmustsignthecontract.

ForaconsiderationSomethingofvaluechangeshands,usuallymoney.

Theamounttobepaidandscheduleofpaymentsshouldbeincludedinthecontract.Thatscheduleshouldbebasedonprogresstowardcompletion,notonthepassageoftime.Exerciseyourrighttoinspectallworkortohiresomeonetoinspecttheworkforyou.

ChangeOrdersThecontractshouldspecifyprocedurestobeusedto

changetheoriginalworkorder.Keepacopyofthesignedcontract.

WithholdFullPaymentUntil• Thebuildingcontractororpersonhiredhaspaidforall

buildingsuppliesused.Requirereceiptsforallpaidbillsforallmaterialsused.

• Everythinghasbeencompletedonthejobtothefullsatisfactionofthecontractandtothesatisfactionofyouandyourinspector.

• Thecontractorhasprovidedyouwithreleasesoflienfromhimself/herself,fromsuppliersandfromlaborsubcontractors.

BuyerBeware!• Isthecontractorofferingyouaspecialdeal?

Usingyourhomeasamodelforhiswork?Shyaway.

• Istheoffertoogoodtobetrue?Besurethequalityistherebeforeyouagreetobuy.

• Doesthecontractorwantcashonly?Findanothercontractor.

• Didthecontractorsolicityourbusiness,ratherthanyourcallinghim?Wereyoupressuredintosigningacontract?Federallawgivesyouthreedaystocancelsuchacontractafteryousignit.Sendyournoticeofcancellationbyregisteredmail.

• Doyouthinkyou’vebeenhad?Haveyoutriedtoresolveyourproblemwiththecontractor,butbeenunsuccessful?Don’tbeembarrassedtocalltheConsumerProtectionSectionoftheAttorneyGeneral’sOfficeat225/326-6465orthe24-hourConsumerInfo-line1-800-351-4889.


Formoreinformation,contactyourlocalLSUAgCen-terofficelistedunderlocalgovernmentinthetelephonedirectory.

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Contributors:

HallieDozier,Ph.D.,ForestryLynnHannaman,Ph.D.,Professor,EngineeringTomKoske,Ph.D.,Professor,LawnandGarden

JohnPyzner,Ph.D.,AssociateProfessor,PecanandFruitBethReames,Ph.D.,Professor,Nutrition&FoodSafetyClaudetteReichel,Ed.D.,Professor,HousingSpecialistDennisRing,Ph.D.,AssociateProfessor,Entomology

DianeSasser,Ph.D.,AssociateProfessor,AdolescentDevelopmentPatSkinner,ExtensionAssociate,DisasterEducation

JeanetteTucker,Ph.D.,AssociateProfessor,FamilyEconomicsRebeccaWhite,Ph.D.,AssociateProfessor,FamilyDevelopment

ThisMaterialisbaseduponworksupportedbytheCooperativeState,Research,EducationandExtensionService,

U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,underAwardNo.2006-41210-03363.

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yGuide

Storm Recovery Guide

LouisianaStateUniversityAgriculturalCenterWilliamB.Richardson,ChancellorLouisianaAgriculturalExperimentStationDavidJ.Boethel,ViceChancellorandDirectorLouisianaCooperativeExtensionServicePaulCoreil,ViceChancellorandDirector

Pub.�66�A-F 4/06IssuedinfurtheranceofCooperativeExtensionwork,ActsofCongressofMay8andJune30,1914,incooperationwiththeUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture.TheLouisianaCooperativeExtensionService

VisitourWebsite:www.lsuagcenter.com

Documents

Guide y · 2016-08-16 · Flooded roads are weakened, ditches are hard to distin-guish from roads and bridges may be washed out. Never go around a police barricade. or drive cautiously