Protect Against Future Storm Damage
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Release date:
June 20,
2013
Release Number:
4116-IL NR-060
AURORA, Ill. – As
thousands of structures in Illinois are being rebuilt or repaired due to damage
from this spring’s severe weather, state and federal emergency management
officials are urging homeowners and business owners to take steps that will
minimize damage from future storms.
“We know that disasters of this kind will occur again, but
Illinoisans do not need to continue experiencing the same losses,” said W.
Michael Moore, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery. “In addition
to gaining a safe, more damage-resistant home or business, strengthening a
structure might someday save a life. It also could enhance a property’s value
and save money by reducing insurance premiums.”
Illinoisans living in flood-prone houses are encouraged to
raise electrical components as well as ventilating and cooling equipment above
potential flood levels. Electrical system components, including fuse and breaker
boxes, meters, switches, and outlets are easily damaged by floodwater. If
inundated for even a short period, an electrician or the local municipal
building department should be consulted.
“There is no better time to do this than when your home is
being repaired and the disaster is fresh on your mind,” added Moore.
Rebuilding to make structure more disaster resistant is called
hazard mitigation.
Homeowners and business owners should discuss with their
contractors the following hazard mitigation measures:
- Installation of appropriate roof bracing.
- Installation of storm shutters.
- Bolting walls to the foundation.
- Installation of masonry ties, which help to secure brick walls to the wood structure.
- Elevating basement furnaces.
- Replacement of a weak garage door, which can create entry for wind that can easily lift an unstrapped roof.
- Elevating the entire structure above potential flood levels.
Information on how to help protect your home is available free
at any of the FEMA/state Disaster Recovery Centers, or at one of the Mitigation
Outreach events at home improvement stores.
Individuals and families living in one of the designated
counties for Individual Assistance may be eligible for help if the damage
occurred between April 16 and May 5. They should register with FEMA to begin the
process.
They can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at
m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People
who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more
information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.
The deadline to register for FEMA disaster assistance is
Tuesday, July 9.
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: 571-408-1835
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