The projected storm path has traveled in a more eastern path after brushing the coastline of North Carolina late last night. The path of travel north up the coast has been better than expected for residents in Maryland, New Jersey, Long Island and Massachusetts that all could have been in a direct path of the one time category 4 hurricane. This years Atlantic hurricane season has been quite active with several hurricanes threatening the Eastern Coastline. The exit of hurricane Earl does not signal an all clear sign for property owners in potential hurricane states as there are several tropcial storms that are still begining to form in the Atlantic Ocean as they come off of the Coast from Africa.

Hurricanes begin as tropical disturbances over the ocean in areas where moist air is rising and cooling. The cooling effect forms tiny water droplets which eventually combine to make clouds. Under normal conditions, the clouds reach a saturation point, causing thunderstorms which release the water.

In a case like Earl’s, the heat energy and moisture rising into the atmosphere are so intense that multiple Cumulonimbus clouds form faster than storms can release the water. As the warm air continues to rise and cool, winds slowly begin to swirl around the low pressure near the surface of the ocean. When swirling winds become observable, a tropical disturbance is upgraded to a tropical depression.

Tropical Storm Earl is a classic case of the evolution of a hurricane. As the storm began its trek across the Atlantic, it continued to pick up moisture and wind speed. When a tropical depression reaches sustained winds of 39 mph or more, as Earl did a few days ago, the storm is designated a tropical storm.

Earl’s wind speeds have remained steady at 45 mph for the last day or so, keeping him at the Tropical Storm designation. But if he follows a typical progression of gathering strength over the warm Caribbean waters, Earl could become a category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

When a storm reaches hurricane status, meteorologists can identify what’s known as the “eye” of the storm. This is the area where the low pressure is concentrated. The smaller eye, the greater he wind speed. Earl’s eye is still relatively large. But if the storm system tightens up there will be a noticeably smaller eye with higher wind speeds.

The life of a hurricane can range anywhere between three and fourteen days. Earl is in his third day as of this writing, but it’s still too early to tell what will happen. If he turns north before reaching Bermuda, Earl will probably fall apart with little consequence. But if the storm tracks more to the west, it still has the potential to impact the southern U.S. coast.

If you have become an unfortunate victim of a flood, there are some things to keep in mind in order to minimize the damage. In the case of a plumbing failure, it is imperative to call in a licensed plumber so that the problem can be remedied. In the case of a weather-related flood, the home insurance provider should be called to see if there is a policy in place which covers the damage. Regular homeowner’s insurance does not cover weather related flood damage but many homeowners do carry flood insurance, so it is always best to call the insurer to see if you are covered or not. Renters should contact the landlord and inquire as to whether or not flood damage is covered.

Once the storm is over or the plumbing problem fixed, it is time to begin the cleanup process. In the case that extensive damage was done, it is best to contact a flood disaster cleanup company because time is working against you. Mold can begin its devastating growth within 24 to 48 hours following a flood, so it is very important the the area be cleaned and dried quickly. A flood damage restoration company will arrive on the scene shortly after being contacted so that the cleanup efforts begin quickly.

It is a good idea to take a few minutes to document the damage. Take photographs and videotape of every area in the home that has been breached by water. Be sure to take photos of any and all belongings that are wet. This will ensure that you will be compensated fully by your insurance (if you have it) and can even pave the way for you to receive disaster relief from the federal government in the case of weather related flooding. If there are electrical issues to deal with, call a local electrician so he can come and check your home’s electrical system and any appliances that have stood in water.

Over a dozen Somerville police vehicles were damaged extensively by the flash flooding. Somerville got three to four inches of rain in just one hour’s time on Saturday, which led to the flash floods that no one was prepared for. The area had been going through a dry spell prior to the storm and the hard, dry ground simply could not absorb all of the heavy rain. Two state troopers and one off-duty firefighter helped to rescue a woman who was trapped on the top of her car as the water rose to eighteen feet under a local underpass. She was screaming for help and waving her arms when thankfully, the off-duty firefighter spotted her and quickly rushed to her aide.

Five cars were trapped under the Assembly Square Underpass in Somerville due to the dangerous flash flooding. The underpass filled with water very quickly which prompted state police to send their marine units and dive teams in to help search for people who may have been trapped in the rising flood waters. No victims were found thankfully, but their vehicles are totaled. At least five families had to be rescued from their vehicles. No injuries were reported but raw sewage in the water prompted many residents and police officers to go to a local hospital so that they could be decontaminated.

Even though the storm was brief, it was intense. Two inches fell on the metro Boston area and neighboring Cambridge got 3 ½ inches of the wet stuff. The torrential rains also disrupted the mass transit system and forced at least two area bridges closed. One of the main reasons the flash flooding happened is the fact that the rain fell in a metro area that consists of a lot of concrete which means that it has very few places to go. If this particular rainfall had hit a more rural area, that area would not have seen such flooding.

What to do if you spot mold or mildew in your basement

If you have had a leak or flood recently then you should be keeping your eye out for either of these problems arising. The best thing to do would be to stop these fungi occurring in the first place by using a borate based solution on surfaces after a flood but this is not always practical. It is also worth pointing out that even if you haven’t had a water leak recently you should still be regularly checking your basement for any problems.

Once you have spotted mold or mildew you need to work fast. As long as the mold isn’t too widespread you should be able to deal with the problem without outside help. Sometimes though you may find things have gone too far and you need the help of the experts – no shame in that. After you have assessed the extent of the problem you then need to get to work. It is recommended that you take precautions while dealing with mold as some of the spores could be quite toxic. It is probably best that you were clothes that cover your whole body and put on glasses to protect your eyes – it is often suggested that you wear a respiratory mask especially if dealing with black mold. Bleach or vinegar is frequently used to get rid of mold and you should give the area a good soaking in it. Some experts argue that it is more effective to use products specifically designed for mold and mildew and follow this up with a borate based product after the clean.

Types of Contractors

1. General Contractors. They are skilled in managing all aspects of renovation and often hire subcontractors to take care of certain jobs that they are not skilled enough to handle. General contractors are usually required for a new construction or a major repair.

2. Specialty Contractors. They are the subcontractors who are skilled at specific jobs needed in home repair, such as a plumber and an electrician. The qualified specialty contractors are licensed workers, and have earned sufficient experience to handle the job efficiently.

3. Freelance Contractors. They are generally classified as unskilled workers because they lack the expertise needed to repair complex construction. These are unlicensed contractors who are better off doing simple jobs such as carpet installation instead of fixing drainage systems.

Basic Considerations When Hiring Contractors
1. License
The very first thing to check before you hire a contractor is their license. Although not all states require contractors to be licensed, this is something you need to seriously consider because in case things go wrong with the repair, you can protect yourself by filing a complaint with local licensing agencies.
2. Track Record
Check the contractor’s reputation. Don’t make the mistake of hiring one with a long list of complaints lodged against them because you are bound for problems with this contractor. You might want to consider checking with the Better Business Bureau or request for referrals to get more information.
3. Contracts
You must read every detail stated in the contract and make sure they are all in proper order. A good contract states every step the contractor will do for your home, and if you cannot find these in the agreement paper handed to you, do not sign it.
4. Payments
A professional contractor will not demand for big upfront payments or require full payment prior to completion of work. Usually, professional contractors get the job done before seeking payment.

Hiring contractors is a tough job. You have to make sure you find the right one so that all the needed repairs will be done properly and according to your specifications. Note that if you do not have insurance, you would need to shell out a big amount of money to get it done. But, if you want to avoid water damage from affecting your home and your family again, this is something you have to do.

Central Tennessee was overcome quickly by flash flooding caused by the swelling river, so quickly in fact that many people barely made it to dry land before being swept away by the raging, muddy water. The death toll stands at 28 now across three states, but hope is fading that the number will stand, as recovery slowly is taking place following the record-breaking rainfalls. Authorities are certain that there will be widespread damage in inundated areas and dread the thought of discovering more fatalities in the coming days.

Tennessee was hit very hard by the flood damage, with Nashville receiving the brunt of water damage disaster. Thousands of people fled rapidly rising water and hundreds were rescued-many by boat, with some having to be plucked off their roof tops. Tennessee’s death count stands at seventeen today (May 4) with ten of the deaths occurring in Nashville alone. Six people were killed by the same rainstorms in Mississippi and four in the state of Kentucky.

Nashville is home to the iconic Grand Ole Opry House, which is a main source of income and pride for the city and its residents. One thousand, five hundred visitors to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center were evacuated over the weekend and taken to a shelter as the heart of country music was submerged in several feet of muddy river water. It is thought that it will be months before the hotel is able to re-open.

Tennessee governor Phil Bredesen already has declared fifty-two of the state’s ninety-five counties disaster areas after flying overhead to assess the damage. On Saturday and Sunday alone, 13.5 inches of rain fell on the Nashville area, breaking the old record set decades earlier and sending panic-stricken residents fleeing from their homes. Nearly every single lake, river, creek, stream and drainage system in the area was flooded over. The flood water were so powerful that it washed out bridges and knocked down buildings.

Highways in the area have been closed indefinitely and now look like raging rivers instead of roadways. At least fifty Nashville schools were damaged by the water and for now, the schools are closed. Residents are urged not to venture out onto streets and roads as most coming into and leaving the city are submerged and may be compromised.

Photo courtesy AP

Almost every homeowner deals with wet basements at one time or another. It is a rather common type of property damage problem, and the sooner we figure out how to deal with it, the better. So, how can we deal with such a messy problem? Understand that this does not only involve the basement alone but also everything that is located in the area, including furniture, appliances, and floor coverings. You have to take these into consideration, too.

• The first thing to do is to take out all furniture pieces, electrical appliances, and other items in your basement and place them in an area where they can completely dry out such as the basement or even the yard.

• Next, place fans and dehumidifiers in the room to get rid of minimal amounts of water. If your basement has windows, keep them open for awhile. However, if the room is too flooded, it would be best to secure a pump which will take the water out faster.

• Carpets and other floor coverings need to be completely dried out with the use of a dryer, a vacuum cleaner, or high velocity fans; otherwise, your basement would smell really stale, and would also make your flooring very soggy. Plus it also increases the likelihood of your basement developing molds.

Aside from the ones mentioned above, it is also necessary to find out what caused the problem so that preventive measures can be taken to avoid getting wet basement in the future. Usually, leaky walls, floors, and pipes are the culprits so checking the area for any leaks should be your priority. In the event that you do discover some leaks, note that these are often attributed to poor drainage systems particularly the gutters; it is worth looking into and see if they need cleaning or re-piping.

If you think you cannot handle waterproofing your basement by yourself, there are always contractors who can do the job for you. Mind you, they do not come in cheap but if you do not want to be all stressed out because of wet basements then it is worth giving a try.

Not only are FEMA officials sent into action during a major disaster such as a flood, FEMA is also given the green light by the government to make low interest loans available to businesses of all sizes, agricultural co-ops, and private organizations that have suffered flood related money problems. Farmers can seek loans up to $500,000 to cover production and property losses. There is also FEMA crisis counseling in place in flood ravaged areas which provides help to residents who were traumatized by the disaster, income tax assistance to assist people in filing for casualty losses and legal assistance to help people sort out such things as social security issues and veteran’s benefits. FEMA is a large organization that is multi-faceted to ensure that the citizens of the United States are provided with assistance during times of extreme crisis.

For anyone who has been a victim of a flood, they should go to FEMA’s website and register for assistance. There are also toll free telephone numbers which can be called. Applicants can expect to be asked a series of questions when applying such as insurance coverage, name, address, contact information and so forth. If FEMA is already on the ground in a flood zone, affected residents are urged to seek out the nearest Disaster Recovery Center manned by FEMA so that the proper guidance can be given in regards to which types of assistance they may be eligible for.

FEMA also has some important information on its website informing people what to do after a flood which are well worth mentioning. People are asked to keep an eye and ear on news reports concerning the quality of drinking water. They are also advised not to walk through moving water and to be wary of areas where flood water has receded as roads could collapse. It is not advisable to return home following a flood until told to do so by local officials and people should stay out of any building that is surrounded by water. They also advise homeowners to clean and carefully disinfect water soaked items because flood water can contain harmful chemicals and raw sewage. These are some tips that unfortunately, many people fail to follow due to nerves being on edge and the fact that emotions are running high following a flood disaster.