IBHS Urges Gulf Coast Residents to Prepare for Tropical Storm Bonnie
Tampa, FL – July 23, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — As Tropical Storm Bonnie approaches South Florida, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) urges residents to take steps to minimize wind and water damage from the storm.
Forecasters are predicting that Bonnie may dump 2 inches to 5 inches of rain on South Florida. The storm is expected to continue moving west-northwest from the Bahamas and could potentially affect the Florida Panhandle, as well as parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.
Taking precautions now, before the wind-driven rains begin, should help reduce the amount of cleanup and repairs necessary after the storm passes. Here are some helpful measures residents should take now, according to IBHS:
· Where possible, move furniture and electronic devices off the floor, particularly in basements and first floor levels; this can be done by placing furniture on blocks, and electronics on shelves or on top of furniture.
· Roll up area rugs, and get them off the floor. This will reduce the chances of rugs getting wet and growing mold. This is particularly important if the property will be left unattended for an extended period of time and if long-term power outages are a possibility.
· Inspect sump pumps and drains to ensure proper operation. If a sump pump has a battery backup, make sure the batteries are fresh or replace the batteries.
IBHS’ Water Damage Recovery Guide addresses how to properly prevent, or deal with, water damage in your home, following a natural disaster or other moisture-related problem.
“Any time a tropical storm is on its way, people in the potential path of that strong combination of wind and water should prepare themselves and their possessions to survive with minimal injury,” noted Julie Rochman, IBHS’ CEO and president. The tips we are offering today are easy and essentially free, so there is no reason not to take these loss prevention actions.”
Further IBHS guidance on storm preparation is available in its recently released publication, “Reducing Hurricane Risk: Residential” which provides homeowners with strategies on how to reduce their hurricane risk. The information is available electronically and in hard copy printed brochures in English and Spanish.
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About the IBHS
IBHS is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.
Contact:
Joseph King (813) 675-1045
jking (at) ibhs (dot) org
Twitter: disastersafety
