Questions People Have After a Weather Storm or Disaster

 

No matter what kind of a storm or disaster has hit one’s town they are certain to have questions that need answers. Many of the questions will most likely refer to the health and safety of one’s home and the town itself, depending on what has occurred. 

The first thing that is on people’s minds would be is everyone safe? Did anyone get harmed? And does anyone need help? The whole effected area will tend to pitch in and help others when something devastating ruins their town. 

Next, after the safety questions are answered, people need to know their insurance protocol. Do they need to phone them within 24 hours? Can the insurance company get someone to the house quickly so that they family can begin the clean up or repair of their home. It is important to note that often the insurance company will need to see whatever they are insuring in the destroyed state and if many people have been affected in the area it will be likely that it will take some time for them to get to each house.

Next, knowing if the town has a place they have opened for the night to help out those who have been displaced from their homes is another important thing to know. It is also crucial to share that information with neighbors who might be in desperate need as well.

The question of where is the family pet is another good one. Check with the makeshift info center in town to see what the protocol is on lost pets in times of disaster.
The best way a person can have their answers re a storm or disaster answered is by being proactive and to try to get answers to the questions before something awful happens.

If one gets the questions answered before hand, they can compile them and store them in the safe or firebox. That way all the answers can be in one place. It is also wise to check with the town’s city hall, for protocol and for answers to any questions that one can think of to have before a disaster strikes. That way if one ever does, the family is ready and if it doesn’t, the information is still there and perhaps it will come in handy to answer a friend or relatives questions. 

Being proactive can help calm and mobilize a family in a devastating storm or in any kind of natural disaster. Better to have these questions answered now rather than in the heat of the moment of desperation. For additional information regarding storms, we have a number of online resources, you can visit this website, or for customers in the florida market, you can visit our local florida page.

Hurriane Isaac Creates Path Of Damages In Louisiana and Mississippi

Hurricane Issac is making very slow progress on its path northward as it is pounding southeast Louisiana with winds of about 80 miles per hour. Today is the same day of the year seven years ago when Hurricane Katrina paid a visit to this portion of the country and left New Orleans in shambles. Isaac has already caused one levee in Plaquemines Parish to overflow and has knocked out power to more than a half a million homes and businesses.

Because the system is moving at a snail's pace, ti is going to pelt portions of Louisiana with very heavy rains for at least the next twenty-four hours and most likely forty-eight. The hurricane is still several miles away from New Orleans but nonetheless, residents there are feeling its impact. The skies are dark and menacing and the wind is gusting up to 60 miles per hour with some bursts of very heavy rainfall.

The worst damage so far is in Plaquemines Parish where more than 22,000 people live. The levee that breached there wasn't one of those rebuilt after Katrina struck several years ago. There are reports coming in from that parish of very serious flooding with most being concentrated in the portion of the community that is sparsely populated on the Mississippi River's east bank. Most of the people who do live in that area took the mandatory evacuation orders seriously and were not at home when the heavy flooding occurred.

What is most concerning about this hurricane is how massively large it is and how slowly it's moving. It is dumping huge amounts of rain and causing waves several yards high along the coastline. National Guard troops with weapons have been deployed by Louisiana's governor to patrol the streets of New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina memorial events had to be canceled in the 'Big Easy' due to Issac which is something residents feel is very ironic.

Since Katrina, work crews have worked on constructing a complicated system of levees, flood walls, gates and pumping stations in an attempt to make New Orleans safe from another dangerous hurricane. Isaac is only a Category 1 while Katrina was a Category 3 hurricane when it ravished the area. For the most part, New Orleans residents are feeling some relief knowing that this storm is not going to do nearly as much damage as Katrina. The new system that's in place has gone untested and was built to withstand a hurricane that would occur once every century. The system does meet FEMA guidelines and is good enough for insurance purposes but whether or not it will hold up under another Category 3 storm or stronger is still unknown in spite of the progress made.

Compliments of the restoration professionals who are working to help property owners in Gulfport, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Biloxi, some of the areas hardest hit by the historical storm system.

Saving Money By Borrowing From A Peer to Peer Loan Site Versus a Cash Advance

Dealing with financial matters is something that people can never really escape, because financial matters affect almost everyone. As soon as you start working and earning your own keep, there are always bills to pay and obligations to take care of. Being financially independent or financially stable has always been the goal of many people. After all, those who know how to handle their finances properly have a lot less problems than those who have so many financial problems to think about. The important thing when it comes to financial issues is that you should just be aware of all your options. Knowing where to run to when it comes to anything financial will actually save you a lot of trouble. This means that you have to do your research and know your options beforehand.

The Usual Option When Financial Difficulties Arise

When financial difficulties arise for instance and you need to borrow money for one reason or another, there are several options for you to choose from. The most common thing that people do when they need to borrow money is they apply for a cash advance either from their employer or from financial institutions. Some credit cards and savingsaccounts actually have this option, but you have to remember that cash advances actually come with a cost, in the form of interest. When you apply for a cash advance you have to pay for this cash advance at a predetermined time, and you have to of course pay for it with interest. Applying for a loan from a bank is another usual option, but again this comes with interest charges as well.

A Peer-to-Peer Loan Site

Instead of relying on a cash advance or a bank, an option that can actually save you a lot of money is apeer-to-peer loan site. When you log on to the Internet and borrow money from a peer-to-peer loan site, the advantage is that you will be talking to peers orpeople who understand the difficulties that you’re going through. The interest charges are usually lower compared to financial institutions, and this is the most important advantage because the last thing you want for yourself is to be drowning in debt due to unpaid interest charges. With a peer-to-peer loan site at least you can negotiate the price as well, and you get to connect yourself to a network of people that you can rely on in the future.

Being Financially Responsible

The only thing that you have to remember is that regardless of what option you choose to borrow money, you still have to return this money. This means that you have to keep your obligations in mind and you need to be aware of the schedule that you have agreed upon. This is part of being financially responsible, because borrowing money still means that you have to return it to the owner at the right time.

Finding deals on balance transfer cards this summer

Balance transfer cards are your best bet to get out of the sticky spot of mounting debts and high interest rte by transferring the balance to a card that has low interest or zero interest for a certain amount of period.

When you look for balance transfer cards, you have to look for the ones that offer very low or zero interest rate, no or very less balance transfer fees and no annual fees. You can also go to an aggregator site which has many balance transfer cards in one platform so that you can do comparison shopping and pick the one that suits you the best. Here are some good deals on balance transfer cards that you can check out this summer. 

1.       Citi Platinum Select MasterCard - This card offers zero percent interest rate for up to 18 months, after which the interest rate is just 9.99 percent. The balance transfer fee is 3 percent and there is no annual fee. There is a $30 statement credit which means if you spend that amount in the first three months, there is a substantial waiver to your balance transfer fees.

2.        Citi Diamond Preferred Card - It has 0 percent introductory APR for 18 months on balance transfers and purchases. After 18 months you APR will be 11.99%-21.99% depending on your creditworthiness. Balance transfer fee is 3% or $5 minimum.

3.       Simmons First National Bank Visa Platinum Card – You may not get a zero percent offer here but still this is one of the best balance transfer deals you can get because the APR is 7.25 percent for the life of the balance and there are no annual fees or balance transfer fees involved.  No doubt, you get many deals from Citi and Chase that have 0 % APR for the first few months but Simmons First National Bank Visa Platinum Card can give you better peace of mind and you do not have to worry about looking for another deal after the introductory period is over.

4.       Chase Slate – There is no balance transfer fee if you transfer the balance from another credit card to Chase Slate within first 30 days of opening an account unlike other accounts that  do charge a balance transfer fee. There is 0 percent introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, after which the APR can go to 11.99%, 16.99% or 21.99% depending on your credit score.

5.       Capital One Platinum Prestige Card - This is also a good balance transfer card issued by Capital One, wherein there is 0 percent APR on balance transfers and purchases till September 2013 for new card members. The balance transfer fee is 3 percent.

6.        Chase Freedom Visa with $100 Bonus as Cash Back -  This card offers 0 percent APR  on purchases and balance transfers  for the first 15 months  as well as a sign-up bonus of  $100 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months Balance transfer fee is 3% or $5 minimum.  There is no annual fee.

7.       USAA World MasterCard - This is not advertised as much but it is a very good deal to go for. If your credit history is excellent, you can benefit from the low APR of 8.9 percent which is not for any amount of period.  The balance transfer fee is 3 percent of the balance. There is no annual fee involved as well.

Louisiana Governor Declares State of Emergency Due to Flooding

Louisiana's governor Bobby Jindal declared state of emergencies in four parishes Tuesday after torrential rains pounded the region, causing flash flooding. A state of emergency was declared for Acadia, St. Martin, Lafayette and St Landry parishes. While no injury reports came in, nearly 80 people had to be rescued from flood waters in Carenco, a town in Lafayette parish with more people having to evacuate their homes there.

Anywhere from between six and fifteen inches of rain has been reported across Louisiana thus far. The slow moving storm system is continuing to hammer the state and could cause more flash floods, hail and possibly tornadoes. Heavy rains have closed at least a dozen school systems Wednesday in Cajun country. There is localized flooding being reported in several communities across the state as many homes and businesses are being inundated by dirty flood water. The ground is simply not able to absorb such heavy amounts of rain that is falling in a short period of time.

A severe thunderstorm warning was put in effect for East Baton Rouge parish Wednesday morning by the New Orleans office of the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms with winds in excess of 60 miles per hour are forecast. That type of wind can cause tree limbs to fall and can also pick up small, unsecured objects. Heavy rains and lightening are also expected today which will make commuting to and from work perilous for tens of thousands of local residents. Forecasters also warn that coastal flooding could take place in southeastern Louisiana. This is because strong southeast winds are continuing to be created by the combination of high pressure over the southeast and low pressure over the southern plains.

The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) in Baton Rouge is monitoring the weather and is in touch with local emergency preparedness offices. The director of GOHSEP Kevin Davis, released a statement last night telling area residents that they should take precautionary measures by stocking up on supplies in case they are trapped inside their homes due to flooded streets. He also reminded people of the importance of not walking or driving through flood waters as it is very dangerous to do so.

The severe weather will keep local cleanup companies busy trying to dry out and remove excess water to allow restoration professionals to begin the long process of getting properties returned to their original conditions. For homeowners who have failed to obtain flood insurance, this often means turning to FEMA and asking for a grant through an emergency declaration.

Minimizing Water Damages to your Home

With spring being just around the corner, tornado activity and thunderstorms are on the horizon. It is not uncommon to see flash floods, high winds and hail storms all over the country. This kind of weather can cause significant property damage due to the strong winds and heavy rains as well as overflowing storm drains.

Tornadoes bring with them heavy and damaging winds and also brutal rain. These common springtime storms can cause massive damage to homes, fences, roofs, trees etc.  With such a strong wind, it has been known to blow off roof shingles and rain inside people’s homes causing catastrophic damage to floors, ceilings, carpets and furniture. These storms also flood out basements and crawl spaces causing thousands of dollars in damages to the unsuspecting homeowner. 

Home owners need to realize that performing preventative maintenance on their home is essential to keeping their property safe. We can't prevent Mother Nature from dishing out weather; however, we can reduce the amount of water damage that stems from these storms.

Before the rainy season is upon you and the advent of significant rain, hail and winds are a threat, you will want to start inspecting your home. This is the time to check the inside and outside and see if you need to make any repairs. The first thing you should check is the gutters to make sure that they are free from debris and there is no blockage causing them to be clogged. You will also want to get up on the roof and inspect your shingles to make sure they are in good shape.   

After that you'll want to go inside and make sure that all of your appliances like the dishwasher, washing machine and hoses on the refrigerator are not frayed , cracked or leaking. Water damage to your floor can be very costly to repair and often times you'll have to replace everything if the water damage is severe enough. 

Check out the bathroom also and look at the showers, bathtubs and toilets. Keep an eye out for mold and mildew as well as a musty odor. If you see any signs of excessive moisture or mold growth you'll need to get on the horn and call a professional water damage restoration company. Mold spores can lead to disastrous problems for not only your home but there are serious health risks for you and your family.   

It is actually just a worthwhile investment to call a water damage restoration contractor to inspect your home. They have the tools, knowledge and necessary experience to assess, advise and repair any problems that they may see.

You will not be able to prevent all of the dangers associated with water damages but you can go a long way in reducing the risks associated with it causing severe damage to your home. When the unfortunate happens, rest assured that there are professional water damage restorationcompanies out there to help you clean up the flood and bring your home back to its previous condition.

Hiring a Professional Water Damage Restoration Company To Clean Property Flooding

Floods are nasty buggers, spoiling lands, farms, roads and everywhere they hit. But what are worse are the floods that ruin someone’s home and property, destroying your home interiors, furniture and other personal belongings. Not to mention the kind of environmental damage and health damage it causes for everyone, including spoilage of everything that comes in its path. Property flooding can not only be an extensive problem but an expensive problem as well and it is often best left to a professional water damage restoration company to rid your property of damages and clear it of contaminants and other debris.

The thing about flood waters is that they not only contain debris and trash, but huge amounts of mud that enter your home and accumulate inside, spoiling your interiors, walls, floors, carpets and upholstery, along with damaging wallboard, furniture and appliances at times. Flood damage can bring in a lot of residual damages to your property, and stagnant water can damage expensive electronic systems like your heater or Air conditioner, spoil other utilities, create blockage in your drainage system and even harm the foundation of your property, so much so that you will have to renovate the basic structure of your home.

When you hire a professional water damage restoration company, the first thing they will do is survey the amount of damage cause to your property. They will make a record of the materials that have been damaged and then make you a list of the cost required to get them repaired or replaced. Once the value of the damage has been estimated, they will inspect the water affected area using probes, infrared tools, etc to determine the actual source of the damage and the total area of the damage. Once they check that, they will be able to tell you if the waters contained bacteria or other microbes.

The restoration service you have chosen will want to quarantine your property to avoid any more contamination and damage to the already effected area. They will first filter out all the water, drain out debris, clear off mud and soil and then dry the structure thoroughly that might even take weeks. All contaminated area will be sanitized carefully, and all effected materials and areas deodorized. If required, they will even break part of your drywall or flooring to get rid of irreplaceable damage to your property structure. Once the property has been cleaned, air purifiers, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, sub-floor drying machines and wood structure drying equipments will be brought in.

If you are confused about finding the right water damage restoration company, go through your local yellow pages or ask your friends and neighbors if they know one. Once the labor-intensive cleanup is over, the company you hired will go over, checking their inventory and revaluating everything. Make sure you dispose of all upholstery and furniture that have been damaged beyond repair, including curtains or carpet before you being the refurnishing process. Flood water restoration is painful and a lengthy process, but with the right equipment, you can finish it easily and without much of a headache.

How To Save Money By Lowering Your Credit Card Interest Rates

The popularity of credit cards has led more and more people to rely on credit as an alternative to cash.  Credit cards provide people with a line of credit that they can access any time of the month, for as long as they don’t exceed their credit limit.  Credit cards work in a way that allows you to purchase something now and pay for it later.  Depending on what time of the month you make your purchase, you are given as much as a forty-five day grace period.  Other than this, some establishments even offer installment options wherein you get to purchase something expensive and break down the payments into installments over a few months.  You get to pay the total amount in installments and with a 0% interest rate.  This is very useful for big-ticket items like appliances and gadgets.

The Power of Credit Cards

If used properly, credit cards can actually be quite beneficial.  It enables you to spend even if your paycheck hasn’t arrived yet, and it enables you to purchase something expensive and pay for it in fractions.  These are benefits that you don’t get if you pay in cash.  To encourage usage, credit card companies also give exciting rewards to their loyal users.  It’s very tempting to look at credit cards as a magical solution to everything, but there’s a danger to credit cards that causes a lot of people to be buried in debt. 

Understanding Interest Rates

Before you decide to use a credit card, you have to make sure that you understand how credit card interest rates work.  You have to realize that you’re purchasing things on credit but that doesn’t mean you got a free pass.  You still have to pay for whatever you purchased, otherwise you have to pay for the monthly interest rates that credit card companies charge and your balances will grow, instead of declining.  Once you fail to pay the debt you owe a credit card company, you are charged a certain interest rate that’s usually very steep.  You have to understand that this interest rate applies to your entire outstanding balance, so it’s not merely enough to pay for the minimum amount due.  This is exactly how a lot of people get buried in debt, so you have to be wary.

Seeking Lower Rates

In applying for credit cards, you have to look into the interest rates that different credit card companies offer.  There are several credit card packages available, and not all interest rates are the same.  Ideally, you would want to go with the company that offers you the lowest interest rates possible because this will save you a lot of money, many companies will offer promotional zero percent rates, for 12-18 months.  This gives you access to all the benefits of a credit card but with rates that are not so high.  When you’re already buried in debt, some companies also offer to consolidate your credit card debt for you.  All you have to do is transfer your debt to their company and they’ll offer you a payment package with interest rates that are a lot lower.

The Art Of Safely Removing An Ice Dam From Your Gutter

You may have noticed some icicles attached to and hanging from your gutters and thought that they were visually pleasing. However, be warned they are indicators of damage that may be building up behind them. So let’s figure out what ice dams are, how they’re formed and the best, safest and most effective way to remove them.

So what exactly is an ice dam and how is it caused?

Generally speaking it’s a wall of ice that that starts to form up by the edge of the roof, usually at the gutters. When it’s formed, the excess water starts to back up and behind the “ice dam” and creates a puddle of water that can leak into your house and cause significant damage to walls, insulation and ceilings.

When you have heavy snow fall or a blizzard and your attic isn’t ventilated correctly, this in turn creates warmer areas in your attic. So when the snow begins to melt, the accumulated snow on your roof starts to run down your roof until it reaches a colder section like your gutters and starts to freeze again and voila’ you now have an ice damn.

What is the best way to clean and remove those ice dams?

Regular gutter maintenance as in cleaning your gutters on a regular basis is the first step in this process. However, if the conditions are right, your gutters will still accumulate ice dams, because without a soffit the melted water has nowhere to go it will just re-freeze when it gets into those gutters.

Be warned, removing an ice dam is no easy task. If you’re not the active “handyman” type of person you might want to consider hiring a professional contractor to get the job done. Make sure if you do choose to hire a contractor that they are experienced and know what they’re doing.  There have been several horror stories of un- professional contractors that just removed the gutters and when then next snow came it had nowhere to go and fell to the foundation and flooded the basement!

Some important things I want you to remember when you decide to take on the ice dam removal task yourself.  If you roof is covered in snow, don’t walk on it! And if you’re using a ladder, use it the right way. Don’t step on the top rung and make sure you tie it off etc.

The first thing that you need to do is:

·       Remove the snow and ice from the roof

·       Using a push broom or roof rake slowly and carefully pull it down the slope of the roof line

·       Don’t pull it across the roof, because you may damage your shingles

·       Make a little channel by carefully chipping through the ice dam

·       You don’t need to remove all the ice in gutters, just enough to let the water flow through

·       If you have removed the snow from the roof,  the remaining ice in the gutters will melt out and drain when the temperature rises

To lower your chances of having to deal with ice dams in the future, make sure you properly ventilate and insulate your attic. Do some research to find out how many square feet of ventilation that you need per foot of attic floor, each region varies. You can also look into getting an electric vent fan that works on a thermostat to keep the inside temperature consistent.