The crewmembers aboard the space station took a short break Saturday to get a look at the storm from their vantage point. Even from space, the storm expected to reach the Gulf of Mexico Aug. 21 and gain strength as a potential Cat 5 storm, impresses the crew with its size.
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I need to plant a tree that will block the afternoon sun from my house and lanai, yet is fast growing and safe for hurricane areas. I asked this question earlier, but the answers were not for good shade trees. I appreciate any help…
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Hurricane Wilma forces Jeff Morrow to his knees as he tries to report from Miami in October 2005.
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We are a middle class family so we don’t have a lot of money, but we have big hearts. I would love to help these people. I can’t leave my son though, there is no one for him to stay with. Any good idea’s on how we can help them out?
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There are some very good reasons for investing in storm and hurricane protection for your home, not the least of which is saving your life in the worst storms. For most homeowners, however, protecting your home from the damaging winds and rain of a hurricane is a matter of protecting your investment. Taking steps to protect your home from severe weather and other catastrophes can also reduce the premiums that you pay on your homeowners’ insurance. Here’s a quick rundown of storm protection and other safety items that may reduce the premiums on your homeowners insurance.
Hint for home sellers: up-to-date hurricane protection for your home is a great selling point for your home. Besides offering reassurance to home buyers, many of these home improvements offer reduced home insurance premiums – and that can be a very big attraction for a new home buyer.
Storm Protection
Storm protection is at the top of the list in protecting your home from damage. While hurricanes are the source of the worst storm damage, the steps you take to protect your home from the punishing wind and rain of a hurricane will also protect your house from less severe weather.
Roof repairs and reinforcements
Loose shingles, especially at the edge of your roof, are a disaster waiting to happen. Often, when the wind catches the edge of a loose shingle and rips it free, more shingles follow. Check your roof carefully for loose shingles and leaks. Secure the shingles, and have leaks repaired immediately.
In addition, hurricane straps and clips can reinforce your roof’s connection to the rest of your house and prevent it from literally blowing off in the high winds that accompany a hurricane. There’s even a roof harness that fits straps over your roof and secures them to the foundation of your house, keeping your house’s “hat” solidly anchored.
Waterproof your home
Wherever possible, caulk around openings for cable wires, phone wires and other utilities into your home. All of them are entry points for water which could get between your walls and cause mold – a major health hazard for your family. Also check the soffits – the material that covers the underside of the roof overhang. High winds can drive rain nearly horizontally, and force is up under the overhang and into your house. Make sure that the soffit is securely attached to the roof overhang AND sealed against the house to prevent water from entering.
Protect openings
Of course, the biggest entry points for rain and wind into your home are the same ones that you use to get in and out – the doors and windows. Strong winds can exert hundreds of pounds of pressure both inward and outward on your doors and windows. Invest in storm shutters to cover all of the openings into your home, including garage doors, patio windows, windows and doors. There’s a variety of storm shutter types and styles on the market that will protect the openings of your home from impact and wind pressure, and most insurance companies discount premiums if you have them installed. Other very effective options include replacing windows with impact resistant glass, and using impact resistant polyurethane film on the interior of existing windows.
Landscaping protection
Inspect all shrubbery and trees around your home regularly to make sure that they are healthy and that there are no loose branches that can become projectile missiles in a high wind.
Reinforce outdoor structures
Storage sheds, cabanas, gazebos and carports can become airborne and lethal during a hurricane. Inspect porch roofs to be sure that they are securely anchored in place. If they’re not, have the anchors reinforced.
Carports
Free standing carports are actually less likely to take damage (and cause damage to the rest of the home) than attached carports. For both, the most important factor is how well the roof is anchored.
Aluminum screen enclosures
If you have an existing screen enclosure around your pool, inspect it and replace any rusted screws. Reinforce the anchorage of the columns to the concrete deck, and install diagonal bracing to help the structure withstand the force of the wind. If you’re rebuilding or replacing, consider using Armor Screen, which has proven to be one of the most effective hurricane protection options for not only screened enclosures, but as protection for windows, doors and other openings.
Storage Sheds
Like carports, these buildings are not built to withstand high winds. The best thing that you can do is anchor them more securely to the ground. If possible, build them on concrete slabs. If that’s not possible, you can literally tie the structure down using heavy duty screw anchors driven into the ground at all for corners and a rope harness over the building.
Outdoor Equipment
Air compressors, air conditioners, water heaters and pool equipment can be blown around in a hurricane, causing damage to the equipment, your house, the electrical hookups and the condenser lines. You can prevent a lot of that damage by anchoring the equipment securely to the house or to the ground using metal brackets, straps and screw anchors.
Most insurers offer premium discounts if your home was built after 1993 when stricter guidelines for hurricane safe building became the law. In addition, insurers may offer premium discounts for installing storm shutters, reinforcing roofs and installing hurricane straps and clips, and installing storm screens. Check with your insurer to see which improvements will net you a discount on your premium.
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Hurricane Season began June 1st and ends November 30th. Hurricane forecasters predict 13-16 named storms will develop this season with as many as 9 of those storms reaching hurricane strength. The likelihood of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69%. This information is a reminder that owners and their pets may be forced to evacuate on short notice.
Yet studies on disaster evacuation show that only 40% of pet owners are prepared to evacuate their pets with the rest of the family. The remaining 60% evacuate without their pets and then risk their own lives by returning home prematurely to rescue their animals. Simple foresight and planning can protect both pet owners and their four-legged companions.
Our pets depend on us for their survival. To be prepared:
Make certain that your pets’ vaccinations are current. Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.
Assemble a portable Pet Safety Kit and carry a second kit in your car.
Have a properly sized pet carrier for each of your pets. The carriers should be large enough for your pet to stand in and turn around.
Affix pet rescue window stickers on prominent windows. If a disaster strikes when you’re not home, this sticker will alert rescue workers that pets are inside. If you and your pets evacuate (and time permits) write “Evacuated” across the decal.
Plan an evacuation strategy for your family and your pet. Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm’s way are potential refuges for your pet during a disaster. If you plan to shelter your pet – work it into your evacuation route planning.
Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have:
Proper identification collar and rabies tag. Proper identification on all belongings.
Carrier or cage. Leash. Ample supply of food, water and food bowls. All necessary medications. Specific care instructions. Newspapers and paper bags for clean up.
Pet shelters will be filled on a first come first served basis. Call ahead to determine availability.
After the disaster:
Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets can easily become confused and lost. Downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose threats for animals after a disaster.
If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contract the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring along a picture of your pet.
After a disaster, animals can become aggressive or defensive so monitor their behavior.
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I’m considering buying some beachfront property in the mid-atlantic region. It certainly seems that there is a definite trend toward more hurricane activity. Beach erosion alone would be a major concern. Its been our dream to own a modest home on the beach. It would be our only home. I wonder if I wouldn’t be taking a higher risk considering the evidence that the storms are escalating in number and strength. Any comments? Thanks.
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With the current increase in number and intensity of hurricanes and their expanded range, a new focus needs to be placed on preparedness. Obviously, there are certain times when evacuation is the only answer. But, in the mean time, we need to focus on better preparation. Well built structures still need the added protection of hurricane shutters. Without shutters, substantial damage can still be experienced even if the main structure is not affected due to wind breakage and the intrusion of winds and rain. Well designed shutters can result in reduced damages.
There are a number of commercial shutters on the market and various plywood designs. It is important that the public be informed as to which type of shutter is most effective. What are the best shutters? The best kind is those that are affordable, are easy to install an offer the best protection. Which of these properties is most important depends on individual circumstance. Some would prefer an automatic closing or accordion shutter. Those on limited income may have to resort to inexpensive plywood shutters. The most worthless type of protection is in the use of tape over the windows. This does nothing to prevent breakage and could result in larger, more dangerous pieces of flying glass and is very hard to remove after the storm. Some people are using a special impact resistant material with some success. Others are using a new type of impact resistant storm window.
Various commercial storm shutters can be effective but many are untested and have been found to fail in stronger hurricanes. Today all commercial shutters pass rigorous tests before being approved for sale and installation. The shutters range from the most inexpensive, metal corrugated panels, aluminum or steel (heavier but stronger). To electrically operated roll shutters, also effective if properly constructed. Some however can not afford any type of commercial shutter and must resort to using plywood. Many times the plywood can be ripped off in high winds and become flying missiles. Keep in mind you should protect your home with the best hurricane shutters you can afford. After all, your home is your castle and should be protected by whatever means you have available. Whatever type of shutters selected, remember that shutters are only as good as their installation.
Also a shutter cannot fully compensate for a poorly constructed house and or an unprotected garage or other large objects that can impact homes and other structures during a major hurricane. But, with a little preparation beforehand the damage will be minimized. Plywood shutters are an inexpensive alternative to commercial shutters but it should be noted they do not always meet certain building code requirements. You might want to check with your county first before installing them. They do require a good deal of physical labor to install. In many regions people will come together in time of crisis and with a few extra pair of hands, and a little thought in preparing, things will move along at a much higher pace. Whatever type of hurricane shutter you select always use the best you can afford. And, after they are installed be sure to inspect all panels on a regular basis.
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