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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
5
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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 1
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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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 1
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
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 1
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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 1
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
Natural 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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 2
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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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 2
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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 2
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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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 3
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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 3
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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 3
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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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 3
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
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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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 4
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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).
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 4
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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.
Natural Hazards Series: Recovery - Part 4
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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
��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)appraisalsimmediatelybe