The most recent storm comes at a time when most property owners are gearing up for colder weather. Michigan has dealt with several severe storms in 2011 which have caused basement flooding problems. Homeowners in Warren and Grosse Pointe are just finishing up their rebuilding projects for basement repairs due to flooding from this summer, are going to be quite upset if their is another round of dealing with a flooded basement. Making sure your sub pump is working correctly will help to keep the water out, but with the large amounts of water homeowners may be facing a losing battle today.

Jarvis will have numerous crews working through the evening hours providing water extraction services and setting up drying equipment to assist with the flooding problems caused by todays storms.

In fact flood insurance helps you if a water pump bursts in your building or house and in case of flooding due to rains or any internal household item like dishwasher faces any functional problems. It protects you if your house gets filled with water and your walls, carpets, flooring gets affected. Sometimes the damage can be to a large extent especially if a main water line breaks etc. And if the damage extends to neighbours house etc it will really protect you as well as the neighbours.

Please find below the misconceptions that people have when shopping for flood insurance to protect your home from unforeseen disasters.

• Assuming that all flood insurance is expensive: Many flood insurance are quite cheap and depend upon the amount of coverage you require. You can either insure part of the house or some specific water borne disasters which you are prone to etc.
• Preconceived notion that flood insurance is required only if you live inside a disaster-prone area. It is not that floods happen only in some specific areas. Flooding can happen apart from the natural disasters like breaking of water pipe or any household items malfunctioning or overflowing of a nearby river or lake in the area where you stay.
• It is very important to shop around and select the best possible insurance. And for that it is necessary to get as many quotes from different insurance companies and then take your decision. Also reviews from people who have already purchased from a particular company previously is important.
• Going for flood insurance late is also another error people make. Once flood has been hit or it becomes known that certain area is flood prone then automatically the insurance rates become exorbitant. So it’s better to take action at the right time.
• It is imperative to go in-depth and know all the points which is covered in the insurance in detail. The discount policy, rate increase etc everything needs to be crystal clear.

With the advent of internet all the insurance policy details etc are available online and you can shop around for the best competitive pricing, the best insurance and the reviews given by the clients will help you in deciding which flood insurance to go for. Shopping for flood insurance to protect your home from unforeseen disasters is a daunting task but if proper precautions are taken and the above mistakes are avoided then one can really take a wise decision on the same without any issues.

An intense low pressure continues to bring cold weather, heavy rains, and strong winds across the regions of the Great Lakes, Midwest, and Northeast today. Gusty winds of more than 50 mph spanked across Chicago on Wednesday, which brought down power lines and trees. Lake Michigan experienced wind gusts of over 60 mph and witnessed waves of more than 20 feet during the day.

Forecasters predict that this winter could be a cool and wet one for the states located in the north, including the northwest regions of United States. The drought is expected to worsen in the southern areas, where the climate is predicted to be drier and warmer than normal.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Pacific Ocean cooling effect, referred to as La Nina, is going to impact the weather just like the last winter. This may result in below-average temperatures and more mountain snow in western Montana and the Northwest in the winters.

Weather experts predict that the snowfall this season will probably top the normal amounts from the Northwest across the Great Lakes through the Ohio and Tennessee valleys.

Dry conditions are expected across the Southern California through Texas and Oklahoma as well as across the Gulf Coast into Florida and some parts of northern Virginia.

Winter season with wet and windy storms can take its toll on your house. Homeowners must take easy and simple steps to prevent misery from unwarranted extra repair costs and high fuel bills during the winter season.

Check your draught excluder several times during the year. Fix them immediately if they are unsuitable for the purpose as this can lead to higher amounts of fuel bills.

You should also get all the exterior pipe-work properly lagged to protect them from freezing and busting.

Inspect your garden fences for any signs of movement, as intense winter winds can blow them easily. Replacing fence panels cannot only be an expensive affair, but it can also cost you lots of your valuable time. You can save considerable amount of money in labor costs if you check them before the nasty winter weather sets in.

You should also check the external paintwork around your windows and doors. Peeling around these areas can allow the water to seep in the wood and rot it.

Make sure that your roof gutters and downspouts are not clogged. Clean them regularly to allow the water to flow freely.

Although there is no clear-cut guide to maintain your home as each one is different from another, but by following the above-mentioned steps you can certainly limit the damage to your home caused by the cold climatic conditions.

Upon Returning to the Site

Remember to only return to your property after emergency officials have declared it safe to do so. Value your life more than material things. Only go once you are allowed to. Wear protective covering for your face, feet, and body. Do not attempt to touch any fallen wires or clear any trees. Call the utility company and report loss of power, upturned gas tanks, etc. Once power is restored, check the refrigerator for spoiled food and throw them out immediately. You can do a preliminary cleanup of your property by wiping wet surfaces. You can also dispose of waterlogged items like furniture, carpets, mattresses and pillows. Clothes that can be salvaged may be placed in garbage bags and taken to a Laundromat to be washed and cleaned.

File an Insurance Claim

Damage to property due to hurricanes is usually covered by insurance. You can file a claim and expect to be paid after a reasonable amount of time. You can wait for the insurance adjuster to come and inspect your house. But you may also take pictures to document the damage, especially if you are in a hurry to clean up. Whatever miscellaneous items you purchase may be reimbursed if you keep all receipts and invoices. Taking down notes about what particular parts of your house need to be repaired is also helpful. You will have to wait until the adjustor has finished inspection before you can call for outside service. Make sure you have a written quotation from the contractor because it is necessary for reimbursement purposes.

Utilize Outside Services

For major cleanup and repairs, it’s best if you outsource the service. There are several companies that specialize in hurricane damage repairs and cleaning. It can be overwhelming to deal with it all but you can count on these companies to deal with your destroyed floorboards, flooded basement or damaged roof. They are meticulous and thorough. They also prioritize hurricane victims so you can expect a crew to arrive immediately at your place. Broken windows, debris and tree removal can also be handled by these companies. There are even companies that offer complete restoration services. So, you will not have to worry about anything… they will take care of it all.

Hurricane Agnes in 1972 caused floods in North East area of the United States, which caused 122 deaths and damages up to 6.4 million Hurricane Katrina and the more recent Hurricane Irene also caused a lot of damage due to their flooding. The costliest hurricane since 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 had caused property damage going up to $81 billion and killing 1840 people. Hurricane Irene also caused financial losses of up to $3.1 billion with 55 deaths. Most deaths and damages were due to drowning caused by flooding.

Experts say that 23 percent of deaths happen due to floods in a tropical storm or hurricane. Most causes of deaths in this regard is due to people trying to abandon their car, or trying to risk it by wading through areas with rising water levels. 79 percent of children and 83 percent of animals that are tied drown in freshwater floods.

So, when you hear about an impending storm or hurricane, think about flooding and how it can cause damage. Make immediate provisions for evacuation by talking to the authorities. Find out the risk of flooding to your home or business by checking the elevation of the property. You can also talk to your insurance company and find out how much of flood insurance is there. It is better to apply for insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program, insurance protection for floods. You can get federal flood insurance protection through this scheme.

Remember to keep materials like sandbags, plastic sheeting, lumber, boots, gloves, shovels etc handy. The local emergency management agency can also guide you on how you can take proper measures to protect your home. The authorities and municipality should work on an efficient drainage system. In fact, it is commendable that the drainage system after Hurricane Katrina was done so well that the water was routed through proper channels rather than accumulating in ensuing tropical storms that took place in the area.

One should remember to stay away from drowned power lines. Monitor and listen to weather fluctuations through the NOAA weather radio. It is advisable not to drive your car into water whose depths cannot be judged. Moving water is the biggest cause of deaths in floods wherein the water sweeps the vehicles by its powerful currents. You should not allow kids to play in water, especially if it is raining heavily in flood prone areas. Do not eat fresh food when it comes into contact with fresh water. Also one should check if the water is potable. It is better to test the water by boiling and filtering it properly before drinking

The storm has claimed at least four lives.

Tropical Storm Lee is currently reported to be heading toward north and heavy rainfall is expected in certain states in its path. Most of Pennsylvania and New Jersey are under flood warning for Wednesday and Thursday. Watches for flood are in effect in soaked areas of eastern New York.

Mandatory evacuation of nearly 3,000 people residing in Wilkes-Barre, a city located in northeastern Pennsylvania, was ordered by the city’s officials early Wednesday as the water level in the already swollen creek increased further.
The tropical storm developed close to the coast of Louisiana in the later part of last week and mustered the strength as it hovered over the Gulf for about two days. More than one foot of rain was dumped by Lee on New Orleans, which really tested the pump system of the city. Lee then tramped through Mississippi and Alabama. On Tuesday, it slammed into a cold front pouring rain over most of the East Coast, which resulted in cooler temperatures.

At one time, watches and warnings were issued for regions stretching from northeast Alabama across West Virginia through

New England.

In New Jersey, where the cleanup efforts are still being carried out after it was hit by Hurricane Irene, the Lee’s remnants were expected to dump another 2 to 5 inches of rainfall. While new flooding from the tropical storm was not expected by the officials, Red Cross said on Tuesday that getting ready to provide emergency shelters for additional 2,000 residents, if required.

On Long Island, New York, high winds and heavy rain from the storm left nearly 9,000 customers without power.
Lee set a new record for the total rainfall in 24-hour received in Chattanooga, the fourth-largest city of Tennessee, where 9.69 inches of rain were recorded on Monday, breaking the earlier record of 7.61 inches recorded in 1886. More than 10 inches of rainfall was recorded by Tuesday.

Ken Davis, a spokesperson for Emergency Management Agency, Georgia, stated that 33 people were rescued from a swamped apartment complex in Fort Oglethorpe, northwest Georgia. An emergency shelter was set up for them, and other people dislocated in Mississippi by the American Red Cross. About 22 counties in the region were reported to be damaged by Lee.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Agency confirmed that it was indeed a tornado that destroyed or damaged nearly 400 homes in Cherokee County, Georgia. Meteorologist Jessica Fieux stated that the twister, with peak winds of about 90 mph, was approximately a quarter-mile in width and travelled on the ground for 24 miles.

The East Coast has been hammered all weekend long by heavy rains and it continues into this week. Flood watches have been issued for many eastern states including Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Rhode Island. A rainfall record was set at JFK International Airport this weekend with nearly eight inches, smashing the previous record set in 1984 of just over six inches. That’s twice the normal amount for a month that fell in one day’s time.

A large hospital was closed in Sandusky County, Ohio due to water flooding into a room holding power distribution panels. Many communities in central and northeastern Ohio have flooded streets and roadways. Numerous home and business owners also were affected as many people have reported that their garages and basements have been inundated with stagnant, standing water. Some communities in Ohio are asking volunteer firemen to help flood victims pump out the water and salvage what they can.

In New York City, the heavy flooding has caused many streets to close down over the weekend as cars were left abandoned in water up to their windshields. Portions of the subway lines had to be re-routed in the Big Apple also due to flooding inside stations. Staten Island, Queens and Long Island all report many homes and businesses with flooded basements. In one dramatic scene right out of the movies, FDNY members had to rescue two men who were stuck in a flooded elevator of an old hotel on Staten Island.

While many parts of the Midwest and East Coast experienced rather dry months of June and July, August is shaping up to be a wet one considering that the month is only half over. There is more rain in the forecast this week for the rain-weary residents living in these areas of the US. Hopefully the forecasters got it wrong because many people are trying to clean up flooding problems so that they can get on with their lives.

Many instances of basement flooding were also reported from Elk Groove Village. About 10-foot of water from the Salt Creek, located nearby, entered the homes of the residents here causing serious damage to their property and contents.

Neighborhoods in Northfield, Winnetka and Glencoe were completely submerged under the water on Saturday morning. Two big condo complexes and several vehicles were inundated by the deluge in Palatine. Residents struggled to move their valuable belongings off the ground, but for most, carpets, furniture and appliances were damaged. People were seen pushing their vehicles out onto the streets and helping others that were stuck on the first floor to get their children out.
Probably, the most devastated community is Des Plaines. Situated close to the river, the inhabitants are more accustomed to the problems caused by rains, but the deluge on Saturday flooded the regions that usually don’t get affected, including main streets such as Touhy Avenue. Large areas of Touhy Mobile Home Park were inundated in spite of having a comparatively new sewer system.

The state of emergency was declared in the Des Plaines. Mayor of the city, Marty Moylan stated that they have the entire workforce ready to help and have a strategy to tackle the situation. Sandbags were placed at different locations in the city.
O’Hare Campus of the DePaul University located on the Far Northwest Side of the city of Chicago was closed on Saturday as well as on Sunday due to power failure and flooding of parking lots. The classes and other activities are expected to recommence on Monday morning.

Many car owners whose cars were parked on the flooded streets found the inside of their vehicles soaked in water after the weekend storms. The passages and driveways across the region were filled with wet furniture, electronics and carpets.
Watch for flash flood has been issued as the thunderstorms and rains are expected to continue in the city.

The storm packed wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour which resulted in the flooding of several neighborhoods in Akron and which canceled flights at a commuter airport there. The turbulent, wild weather started Monday evening and continued on into the early hours Tuesday. Many barns were flattened by the high winds and numerous power poles in northeast Ohio toppled over. There were over 13,500 power outages reported in parts of central and northern Ohio.

Temperatures have been in the 90s throughout Ohio for the past several days. Dayton has opened its rec centers to give residents a place to cool down. Akron also has transformed several community centers into cooling stations and officials there are urging residents without power to either go to one of the cooling centers or to the local, air-conditioned malls and shopping complexes to find relief from the heat. Unfortunately, the extremely hot temperatures are expected to linger for the rest of the week.

At the Akron-Canton airport, 4.7 inches of rain fell overnight in just three hours’ time. The airport terminal’s basement became filled with six feet of water during the heavy down-pouring of rain, spurning the airport to turn off its electrical system for several hours while water was being pumped out. The problem prompted airport officials to cancel six flights.

Storm spotters in Ottawa County reported widespread damage as many trees and limbs were downed in an area stretching from Genoa to Port Clinton. In Parma and Cleveland, Ohio, many homes were flooded and residents there are not all that happy with the fact that their basements are filled with a combination of raw sewage and flood water. Many people believe that Parma has an inadequate sewage system and that the city is doing nothing about it. Residents on two city streets have reported that this is the third time this year that sewage has backed up into their homes. Many of the affected homeowners say that they were dropped from insurance companies earlier this spring and that they have to pay flood cleanup costs out of their own pockets.

The southwestern suburbs were the most hard hit. Nearly five inches of rain fell on Joliet as of Thursday morning with over four inches falling in Plainfield and Oswego. Joliet receive an inch of rain in just five minutes’ time on Thursday morning. Flash flood warnings were issued for numerous Illinois counties Thursday as rain amounts were as high as six inches in many areas put under the warning.

O’Hare International Airport was forced to cancel over 400 flights on Thursday while many airlines delayed flights going into and leaving the airport. Midway canceled a few flights as well. Adding insult to injury, temperatures reached a sweltering 95 degrees in the Chicago area on Wednesday which was just two degrees shy of the record set back in 1999.

In spite of the thunderstorms which dumped heavy rain and hail on Chicago area over the past couple of days, forecasters are calling for more rain. Strong to severe thunderstorms are aligned along a cold front that is now sitting over the area. Severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect for Chicago’s western suburbs Friday and the system will move over much of the area as the day progresses. Many downed power lines caused power outages across Chicagoland as ComEd reported that nearly 67,000 power outages throughout its system.

The storms also knocked out power to those living in northwest Indiana as well. Many residents in that area are dealing with flooded basements and some have reported finding up to five feet of standing water in their homes. Some homeowners in Joliet, Illinois have reported that this is the second time this year that their homes have been inundated with water.

Chicago area residents who experienced flooding have a lot of work ahead of them over the next few days. One positive note is that the the storms brought some relief from the high temps as the temperature dropped as much as 30 degrees in some areas of the city Thursday. Friday’s highs are expected to be around 70, which is very welcomed news to the heat weary folks of the Windy City even though they have more bad weather to keep an eye on.