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What West Virginians Should Expect After FEMA Registration

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — After disaster survivors have registered for federal disaster assistance, FEMA will ask them to provide information on disaster damage, proof of identity and residence, insurance and other documentation, to determine eligibility.

A FEMA contracted housing inspector may contact you to make an appointment to view disaster damage. It is important to provide good contact information at the time of registration.

Applicants unable to be present for the inspection can designate someone in the household over 18 years of age who was living in the household prior to the disaster. If an inspection cannot be made, FEMA may not be able to finish processing the application.

Survivors should not wait to start their cleaning up and making repairs to their home. They should save their receipts and document damage with photos. The inspector is thoroughly trained and uses specialized software to verify disaster damage quickly. The inspection may only last 10 or 20 minutes. The inspector does not make decisions on eligibility. You will receive a letter from FEMA explaining your eligibility for assistance.

Homeowners may use FEMA housing assistance grants to repair or replace:

Key systems such as plumbing, electrical and heating
Structural components such as roofs, outside walls and foundations
Windows, doors, floors, walls, ceiling, cabinetry
Septic and well systems

Renters and homeowners may qualify for grants for other disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs, such as clothing, child care, room furnishings and appliances, medical and dental costs, vehicles and moving and storage expenses.

Both homeowners and renters must provide identification and proof of occupancy, such as a lease, rent receipt or utility bill. Additionally, homeowners will be asked to provide proof of ownership, such as a property deed or title, mortgage payment book, property insurance policy or tax receipts.

Important documents destroyed in the disaster may be duplicated with help from outside sources, such as a county clerk’s office, insurance agency or utility company.

Free disaster legal assistance is also available for West Virginia flood survivors. Call the toll-free hotline (877) 331-4279. Callers can receive counseling on insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, home-repair contracts, the replacement of legal documents destroyed by the storm and other legal matters.

Although there are other legitimate inspectors in the field, such as county building inspectors or insurance adjustors, beware of people posing as FEMA inspectors or “FEMA approved” repair contractors. FEMA makes no such endorsements. In a disaster, scammers abound; be cautious with strangers, especially those from outside the area.

Legitimate FEMA housing inspectors will have the applicant’s nine-digit case number assigned at registration and always carry FEMA identification badges with a photograph. Inspections are free; inspectors are not authorized to ask for personal financial information other than to verify information provided at registration.

To apply for federal disaster assistance, call FEMA at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Toll-free lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multilingual operators are available. Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362.

West Virginians in the following counties may register for disaster assistance for damage or losses sustained by the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began June 22: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster counties.

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What West Virginians Should Expect After FEMA Registration

After the Flood: What Texans Need to Do to Prepare For the Next Disaster

AUSTIN, Texas – So, you and your family survived the big storm.

The water has been pumped out of your basement. Your walls and floors are dry. Your roof seems to be intact. Your electrical appliances are working fine. And your flood-soaked refuse has been removed to the landfill. You are grateful it’s all over. But is it really? Ask yourself, “Are my house and property ready for the next big one? Will my family be safe the next time we flood?”

Mitigation experts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) say there is no better time than now for homeowners to start thinking about what can be done to prepare for the next flood.

For the big jobs, homeowners will want to hire a reputable licensed contractor. FEMA mitigation officials suggest getting bids from two or three contractors. And ask for references. Many other repairs may be easy work for handy do-it-yourselfers. Tasks like relocating basement or first floor electrical equipment and appliances, however, may require the help of a professional.

Start with the main circuit breaker or fuse box. Move it up to at least 12 inches above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for your home or building. Your insurance agent or local flood plain administrator will be able to tell you what that number is.

Check with your local building department. If the electrical code allows, raise electrical outlets and switches above flood level.

If you need to replace a flood-damaged furnace, water heater or air conditioner, have the new one installed on a higher floor. If your air conditioner or heat pump is outdoors, install it on a raised platform. Place washers and dryers on blocks, making sure they will not vibrate off the blocks during use. A 1- or 2-foot waterproof floodwall around appliances will protect them from shallow flooding.

More do-it-yourself tips for repairing flood-damaged buildings:

Walls. If the wallboard and insulation were removed, wash and disinfect the exposed vertical wooden studs, and the horizontal wooden sills at their base. If rebuilding, consider metal studs and sills as they are less damaged by water than wooden ones.
Wallboard. If you install the wall board horizontally (4 feet high), you’ll only have to replace half the wall if the next flood is less than 4 feet deep. Leave the wall open 1 inch above the sill. The baseboards will hide the gap, and all you have to do after the next flood is remove the baseboard and the wall cavity will drain freely and air will circulate better.
Floors. Particle board or plywood fall apart when wet for lengthy periods. Floor joists and some wood floors regain their shape when naturally dried. Use screws or screw nails on floors and stairs to minimize warping. Completely dry subflooring before laying new flooring or carpeting. Renail, then sand or place a new underlayment for a new floor.
Paints. Completely dry the surface before painting. This may take several weeks, but paint will peel if applied over a damp surface. Coat concrete surfaces with penetrating sealer for easier future cleanup.
Windows and Doors. When appropriate, replace flood damaged windows with vinyl or metal framed windows. Hollow core or polystyrene foam filled metal doors are water resistant.

Despite all that you have done, natural disasters are unpredictable, and even the best preparations may not hold up in the next flood.

The first step in moving on after a flood is getting rid of damaged or destroyed personal property that can’t or should not be saved. FEMA mitigation experts tell flood survivors to always throw out flood-dirtied cosmetics, medicines, stuffed animals, baby toys and food that may be spoiled. It’s also a good idea to get rid of mattresses, pillows, rugs, books and other paper products. Should you throw away this or that? Good advice from one FEMA mitigation specialist: If you have to ask, throw it away.

Next, dry out your house – lower the humidity. Open doors and windows to let fresh air circulate. Open closet and cabinet doors; remove drawers from their cabinets. Run dehumidifiers and fans. Give your housed plenty of time to dry. The rule of thumb is, if it takes one week for visible moisture to disappear, it will take at least another week for unseen parts to dry.

Alternatively, you may want to turn the job over to a flooding and storm damage professional. Go online to search “water damage restoration” or “dehumidifying.”

For more ideas on reducing flood loss, view FEMA’s booklet, “Protecting Your Home and Family From Flood Damage,” at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/21471 .

Texas homeowners and renters who have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA are encouraged by recovery officials to “stay in touch.” Applicants changing their address or phone numbers should update that information with FEMA. Missing or erroneous information could result in delays getting a home inspection or in receiving assistance.

Survivors with questions regarding their application for disaster assistance, or a pending appeal, should visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline (voice, 711 or relay service) at 800-621-3362. (TTY users should call 800-462-7585.) The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4245, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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After the Flood: What Texans Need to Do to Prepare For the Next Disaster

What Texans Should Expect after FEMA Registration

AUSTIN, Texas—After disaster survivors have registered for federal disaster assistance, FEMA will ask them to provide information on disaster damage, proof of identity and residence, insurance and other documentation, to determine eligibility.

As a first step, a FEMA contract inspector will contact applicants to make an appointment to view disaster damage. It is important to provide good contact information at the time of registration and keep the appointment to keep the application moving forward.

Applicants unable to be present for the inspection can designate someone in the household over 18 years of age who was living in the household prior to the disaster. If an inspection cannot be made, FEMA cannot continue to process the application. Applicants should contact FEMA if they have not heard from an inspector within one week of registering.

The inspector is thoroughly trained and uses specialized software to verify disaster damage quickly. The inspection may only last 10 or 20 minutes. The inspector does not make decisions on eligibility; FEMA will notify applicants in writing of its decision.

Homeowners may use FEMA housing assistance grants to repair or replace:

Key systems such as plumbing, electrical and heating;
Structural components such as roofs, outside walls and foundations;
Windows, doors, floors, walls, ceiling, cabinetry
Septic and well systems
Mobile home resetting and anchoring, and reconnecting utilities

Both homeowners and renters should be able to provide identification and proof of occupancy, such as a lease, rent receipt or utility bill. Additionally, homeowners will be asked to provide proof of ownership, such as a property deed or title, mortgage payment book, property insurance policy or tax receipts.

Important documents destroyed in the disaster may be duplicated with help from outside sources, such as a county clerk’s office, insurance agency, or utility company.

Although there are other legitimate inspectors in the field, beware of people posing as FEMA inspectors or “FEMA approved” repair contractors. FEMA makes no such endorsements. In a disaster, scammers abound; be cautious with strangers, especially those from outside the area.

Legitimate FEMA inspectors will have the applicant’s nine-digit case number assigned at registration. Inspections are free; inspectors are not authorized to ask for personal financial information other than to verify information provided at registration.

Texans in the following counties may register for disaster assistance for damage or losses sustained during the period Oct. 22 to Oct. 31: Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson.

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Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

What Texans Should Expect after FEMA Registration

Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following July’s Storm Damage in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – As important as it is to make home repairs as soon as possible following a natural disaster, it is also important to take some time to plan the project, consult with local officials and choose a contractor wisely.

Before You Start:

Contact the local permitting office. Follow all local and state requirements.
Check with your local building official to make sure your work is safe and meets all local and state codes and requirements.

How to Help Reduce Future Damage:

Consider using building materials that are more resistant to flood, wind, corrosion and decay.
If siding or roof sheathing needs replacement, consider installing hurricane/seismic connectors at the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections. Adding wall-to-foundation ties may also be necessary.
Windows, doors and skylights should be checked for leaks. If they need replacement, consider impact-resistant units.
Check your attic for adequate insulation. Straps should be added from rafters to wall top plates, and gable end-wall framing should be braced.
Inspect soffits to determine if structural upgrades are necessary.
If you live in a flood-prone area, elevate appliances such as air conditioners.

How to Select Your Contractor Carefully:

You are advised to watch out for home improvement scammers saying they have left over materials or say they noticed your home was damaged and can repair it. Take your time to choose your contractor.

Look for a contractor with an established physical address.
Get bids from more than one person. Make sure they are in writing and specify exactly what will be done.
Beware of a low-ball price.
Ask for references and contact them.
Make sure the contractor has the proper licenses and insurance coverage required in Kentucky.
Never pay the full price in advance.

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For more information on Kentucky’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://kyem.ky.gov.

On Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/KYEmergencyManagement. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/kyempio or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following July’s Storm Damage in Kentucky

Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following Texas Storm Damage

As important as it is to make home repairs as soon as possible following a natural disaster, it also is important to take some time to plan the project, consult with local officials and choose a contractor wisely.

Before You Start:

Contact the local permitting office. Follow all local and state requirements.
Check with your local building official to make sure your work is safe and meets all local and state requirements.

How to Help Reduce Future Damage:

Consider using building materials that are more resistant to flood, wind, corrosion and decay.
If siding or roof sheathing needs replacement, consider installing hurricane/seismic connectors at the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections. Adding wall-to-foundation ties may also be possible.
Windows, doors and skylights should be checked for leaks. If they need replacement, consider impact-resistant units.
Check your attic for adequate insulation. Straps should be added from rafters to wall top plates, and gable end-wall framing should be braced.
Inspect soffits to determine if structural upgrades are necessary.
If you live in a flood-prone area, elevate and appliances.

How to Select Your Contractor Carefully:

The Texas Attorney General advises watching out for home improvement scammers saying they have left over materials or say they noticed your home was damaged and can repair it. Take your time to choose your contractor.
Look for a contractor with an established physical address.
Get bids from more than one person. Make sure they are in writing and specify exactly what will be done.
Beware of a low-ball price.
Ask for references and contact them.
Make sure the contractor has the proper licenses and insurance coverage required in Texas.
Never pay the full price in advance.

For more information and tips on home repair, FEMA provides information online www.FEMA.gov/Texas-disaster-mitigation. You can also visit the nearest Disaster Recovery Center; find one online at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4223, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for childcare, medical, dental expenses and/or funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, those who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, transportation, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Making Repairs and Rebuilding Wisely Following Texas Storm Damage

FEMA Recovery Grants are for Disaster-Related Expenses

JACKSON, Miss. – As Mississippi disaster survivors receive FEMA checks or direct deposits to help them recover from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding of April 28 through May 3, it is important to understand that there are limits on how the money can be spent.

Use of the money for other than eligible expenses could result in having to return funds back to FEMA.

FEMA does not provide survivors with an itemized list of eligible expenses tailored to their specific situation. But it does provide an important booklet, “Help After a Disaster,” that spells out the kinds of expenses authorized in the Individuals and Households Program.

The grant covers only repair or replacement of items that were damaged as a direct result of the disaster and were not covered by insurance. Repairs and rebuilding may not improve a home above its pre-disaster condition unless such improvements are required by current building codes.

Use of the money is limited to repairing the home so that it is safe and sanitary so survivors can live there. It will not be enough to return the home to its condition before the disaster.

The money can be spent to repair structural parts of the home such as foundation, outside walls and roof.

Survivors also may use FEMA assistance provided for housing needs to repair:

Windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings and cabinetry.
Septic or sewage systems.
Wells or other water system.
Heating, ventilating and air conditioning.
Utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas.)
Entrance and exit ways, including privately-owned access roads.
Blocking, leveling and anchoring of a mobile home and reconnecting or resetting its sewer, water, electrical and fuel lines and tanks.

Survivors also may receive money for “Other than Housing Needs.” This money is provided to repair damaged personal property or to pay for disaster-related expenses and serious needs, limited to items or services that help prevent or overcome a disaster-related hardship, injury or adverse condition. It does not pay to return or replace personal property to its condition before the disaster.

Examples of allowable Other than Housing Needs are disaster-related medical and dental costs, funeral and burial expenses, clothing, household items, heating fuel, disaster-specific clean-up items, a vehicle damaged by the disaster and moving and storage expenses.

Survivors should keep bills and receipts for three years to show how all of the FEMA grant money was spent. FEMA is authorized to do an audit.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. The deadline to register is June 30, 2014.

Individuals and households in those counties can register for FEMA Individual Assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362.) People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (central time) and assistance is available in multiple languages.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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FEMA Recovery Grants are for Disaster-Related Expenses

Tuckerton Restaurant Rebuilds With Improved Disability Access

LINCROFT, N.J .— When the Panini Bay Waterfront Restaurant in Tuckerton was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, owner and chef Ivar Johnson had several critical decisions to make. Chief among them was how to maintain wheelchair access for customers with disabilities while elevating the remaining structure and adding additional mitigation features.

When Sandy struck, the first floor was flooded with a foot of water, ruining the floors and walls. Waves 10 to 15 feet high destroyed the windows and damaged the mechanical equipment and duct work built underneath the original floor. The ramp and stairs leading to the restaurant were also severely damaged.

The restaurant’s main floor was elevated onto 9-foot high pylons. A new seating area was built on a raised platform and the kitchen was relocated to the center of the building. A multilevel staircase was added.

But the main feature of the rebuilt Panini Bay is the enclosed wheelchair lift outside the restaurant that transports customers up to the entrance.

Mr. Johnson stands inside the wheelchair lift to demonstrate. Panini Bay Waterfront owner and chef Ivar Johnson demonstrates the wheelchair lift.“Better price,” Johnson said when asked why he decided to go with the wheelchair lift instead of a full elevator. “And it fits the architecture of the building.”

Tuckerton had recently passed an ordinance making its base flood elevation 11 feet, “and at the time, it was an additional 3 feet on top of that,” Johnson said. Though the ordinance forced Johnson to elevate the building, he said it also allowed him to rebuild with better materials and re-do elements, particularly the plumbing, that were built improperly the first time.

The lift cost $25,000. Two people, along with a rider using a wheelchair, can fit inside comfortably. The lift has a seat, a seat belt, and an emergency phone inside. The enclosure cost an additional $12,000 and completely surrounds the lift and its mechanics. It is made out of nearly 40 3x7s and measures 14 feet from top to bottom.

Johnson found the firm that designed the lift through an architect friend. Construction took six months to complete. A short ramp leads from the ground to the chair lift. The restaurant had a wheelchair ramp before Sandy, but rebuilding it was not feasible given the height of the elevation.

“The lift gets plenty of use,” Johnson said.

Johnson admits the new design is not perfect. However, the new structure and elevation protect the restaurant, which sits on the Tuckerton Inlet, better from wind, salt water and storm surges, and the improved wheelchair access will serve the needs of the new restaurant for many years to come.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.
The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications

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Tuckerton Restaurant Rebuilds With Improved Disability Access

Severe Weather: Get the Facts. Know How to Act.

CHICAGO – Do you know your tornado and severe weather risks and what to do if bad weather threatens your community? FEMA wants to make sure you’re not relying on severe weather myths when it comes to keeping your family safe.

“Severe weather can strike unexpectedly, but there are steps you can take to prepare for it,” said Andrew Velasquez III, regional administrator, FEMA Region V. “Learn your risk and what to do now so you’re ready to act in dangerous weather conditions.”

Myth 1: Urban areas and communities near lakes, rivers, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.

Fact & Act: No place is safe from tornadoes. Ensure you know the warning system in your community and where to go in the event of a tornado. Contact your local emergency management office to learn the warning system in your area. Outdoor warning sirens are intended to alert individuals who are already outside, so it is important to have a weather radio so you’ll be aware of dangerous weather no matter where you are.

Myth 2:Tornadoes aren’t a risk during the winter months.

Fact & Act: Although the likelihood is lowerduring colder months, tornadoes are a risk any time of year. Most recently, an outbreak of destructive tornadoes hit southern Illinois on February 29, 2012; two days later, a second string caused widespread damage in southern Indiana. It’s important to have a family preparedness plan year-round to ensure you’re always ready for severe weather.

Myth 3:Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.

Fact & Act: Opening windows doesn’t reduce the risk of home damage from a tornado or severe weather. Instead, close windows tokeep high winds out and minimize damage from flying debris.

Myth 4: If a tornado hits while you’re driving, seek shelter under highway overpasses.

Fact & Act: Do not seek shelter under highway overpasses or under bridges – these areas can actually become dangerous wind tunnels that collect flying debris. If possible, you should drive away from the tornado or seek shelter in a nearby structure. If a shelter isn’t available,and driving away is not an option, stay in the car with the seat belt on, placing your head below the window and covering it with your hands. If you can safely get lower than the roadway, exit your car, lie in that area and coveryour head with your hands.

Myth 5: Staying in a mobile home is safer than going outside.

Fact & Act: Evacuate immediately! Mobile homes are vulnerable to overturning and destruction from strong winds and tornadoes. If possible, leave and go to a community shelter. If no shelter is available, a ditch, culvert, or other low lying area may offer better protection, but be wary that debris tends to collect in these areas and flash flooding may be possible as well. Have a plan of action prepared before a storm hits.

You can always find valuable tips to help you prepare for severe weather at www.ready.gov/severe-weather and or download the free FEMA app, available for your Android, Apple or Blackberry device. Visit the site or download the app today so you have the information you need to prepare for severe weather.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

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Severe Weather: Get the Facts. Know How to Act.

Protect Your Property From Wind and Water Damage

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Property owners planning to rebuild homes or businesses damaged by Tropical Storm Debby should consider using construction methods that will minimize damage in future storms.

Taking steps to reduce future damage is called hazard mitigation. The most obvious example of mitigation is elevating flood-prone properties. Information on many mitigation procedures is available free from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Here are some improvements property owners should discuss with contractors:

WIND CLIPS: These are small inexpensive metal plates that are used to firmly secure a roof to the walls of a structure.
MASONRY TIES: These are metal strips used to anchor the wooden frame of a structure to the masonry foundation walls.
PLYWOOD: Construction engineers prefer plywood to pressboard, not less than 7/16 of an inch thick.
FASTENING: In securing four-by-eight foot plywood sheathing to walls or roofs, nails should be driven at intervals no greater than four inches in the perimeter and six inches in the middle lines.
GARAGE DOORS: Consider a heavy gauge door. When high winds buckle a garage door it is likely that the roof will be lifted off.
ELEVATION: This is the ultimate safeguard against flooding. It is costly but widely employed, particularly along coastlines.
ELECTRICAL: Appliances and circuit breaker boxes should be raised above base flood elevation, door seals renewed and old windows replaced with waterproof windows.
DRAINAGE: Ditches should be cleared.

Specialists stress the necessity of tying foundations to the frames of structures with correctly installed anchor bolts. Bolts should penetrate foundation blocks at least 15 inches to connect with the second course of block.

While these measures can’t guarantee protection from storm damage, the odds for escaping major damage are much improved.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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Protect Your Property From Wind and Water Damage