by Eliot Kleinberg
Editor’s Note: Montserrat in recent weeks have seen an unusual amount of thunder storms which have left the ground very saturated, so that the lightest shower of rain brings the ground to near flood levels at times.
The impending Tropical storm Earl seems from forecasts, that Montserrat will be spared strong winds even as the storm grows to a hurricane; but rain and plenty of it might deluge the island.
The following is written for Florida, USA, but we may just find it more than relevant for some areas of our tiny and mountainous island.
When people think of hurricane impacts, they often think of wind. But, of course, water is the biggest killer, and often is the biggest cause of damage, since it doesn’t take much.
Here are some tips from the folks at Stanley Steemer of South Florida, who say only two inches of water can cost up to $7,800 in repairs. We’ve covered much of this in the past, especially in our annual hurricane preparation guides, but it bears repeating, especially now that we’re in the height of the season.
1. Know where your house is vulnerable, find the cracks, and use a fresh layer of sealant to fill them.
2. Be especially focused on cracks around your windows and doors. It takes only a little water to get into your house to cause a big problem.
3. Use sandbags. Even if you are not in a flood zone, it is always a good idea to sandbag the area under your doors, both front and back.
4. Lift up any loose items on the floor (rugs, furniture, etc.). Keep them high and dry in case water does come in.
5. Lay blocks under your furniture so they are lifted off the ground. A few inches above the water can lead to several thousands of dollars in savings.
6. Cover what you can. Buy tarp or plastic to cover your furniture. It takes only a little roof leak to cause expensive damage.
7. Immediately following a storm, if you do suffer water damage, don’t waste any time. Call an expert to help you. The longer water sits in your home, the more damage to property and danger to your family (bacteria and pollutants) it will have.
8. Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Talk to your insurance provider about your policy and consider if you need additional coverage.
9. Have your roof carefully inspected at least once a year by a licensed roof contractor or a capable handyman who should check the roof thoroughly for missing shingles, degraded roof components, separation of the roof from chimneys and exhaust pipes, and other roof problems.
10. Make sure that your outdoor lot grading takes water away from your home or business and not toward your home.
