September = National Preparedness Month

The most prepared some families and individuals get is 24 hours before a major

weather event, after store shelves have been cleared of batteries, flashlights and other

essential supplies. You may not need a dumpster rental from Bin There Dump That

during a crisis, but you must craft a plan well in advance, and what better time than ~

[drum roll] ~ today!

Communication is imperative during an emergency, so have your ICE (In Case of

Emergency) programmed into every cell phone, including a contact outside your region,

in case communications are down locally. Teach everyone to text or use SMS (Short

Message Service) as it might work when a phone call does not. It is advisable to have a

contact card in every wallet, purse, book bag or backpack in case you are in different

locations and someone needs to make contact for a child or injured adult.

The most common reasons for evacuating your home or business, according to the

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are flood and fire. Determine a place

for you and family members to meet in a circumstance where you need to leave your

house, neighborhood or town at a time when you are not together. This can be a corner of

the yard, a certain street corner or a park in a neighboring community. Special

transportation needs must be addressed in advance for:

• babies and small children
• elderly folks, especially those with dementia or ambulatory issues
• tween kids and teenagers
• special needs people
• house pets
• horses and livestock

Your emergency kit can go with you if you leave your home or lose power at

home. Whether you live in a house, apartment, condo, travel trailer or high-rise, everyone

should have an emergency kit in a case with a handle or a backpack with handy items,

such as:

• flashlights and batteries
• portable radio and batteries
• bottled water
• non-perishable snacks
• change of clothes for everyone
• poncho for each person
• contact cards
• roll of toilet paper and paper towels
• basic first aid supplies
• a whistle 
• couple toys for children
• list of conditions and/or medications for each family member
• three large trash bags (in case you need to carry this through water)
• things you can toss in at the last minute include prescriptions, cell 
• phone chargers, dog and cat food

One of the most significant and challenging aspects of dealing with an emergency

or weathering a storm at home is staying calm. Children and elderly people especially are

greatly influenced by the actions and attitudes of adults and even teens around them.

Your behavior, facial expressions, choice of words and tone of voice can make a huge

difference in the response of those close to you during a crisis. Breathe, pray, move

slowly and confidently, sing, speak in a normal tone of voice and talk to your teens in

advance, letting them know you expect them to be strong and get along with everyone

during a rough time.

Gather the family around the kitchen table and pull together your emergency plan

and disaster kit. There will be greater cooperation when everyone has been part of the

plan ~ a plan you hope you never have to use. But if you do, you are well prepared.

Dozen Days of Downpours... plus a few Dozen more!

This past month had a few dozen days of downpours.  A few dozen or so roads closed. A few dozen inches of rainfall...  Several dozens of disasters.   If you are dealing with the fallout of flooding and rain damage, the Bin There Dump That Dumpster Diva is here to help.   

July ended with 4.77 inches above normal rainfall, and if you have wet carpets, a flooded carport, water damage in your yard or around the foundation or other rain-inflicted destruction, you need to take action.   The City of Tampa has been giving away sandbags, and residents have to exercise caution in leaving home, as many roads have been closed, flooded and/or damaged.   Flood warnings were issued, and the Anclote River rose more than two feet above flood stage on Aug. 3.   Flooding can occur days after rain has stopped.

Unwanted water commands immediate attention as it not only can destroy carpets, electronics, floors and furnishings, but also it creates a haven for mold growth.   Mold can ruin interior walls and structure components, and it promotes very poor indoor air quality which in turn can cause serious illness and respiratory problems.   The quicker you act, the faster you reduce chances of unnecessary damage and health issues.

• Disconnect power if water is above any electrical outlets, and exercise caution using electrical things like a shop vac in places where water has accumulated
• Wear protective clothing, boots and gloves, etc
• Take photos for insurance purposes before you begin clean-up work
• Remove what you can as quickly as you can to higher ground or place
• Get rid of water; use buckets and mops if you have to; remove mud with shovels and hose out what you can
• Cut away wet drywall, tear up rugs, remove wet insulation and worry about repairs later
• Check foundation for mortar breakdown
• Open up everything you can to dry air and breezes
• As things dry, clean with disinfectant to eliminate bacteria; water and common bleach mixture (5:1 ratio) is a great disinfectant except for fabric; wear protective gear and work with windows open
• One excellent product, Concrobium, inhibits mold growth  
• Arrange for a Tampa dumpster rental with Bin There Dump That to keep all the wet, damp and damaged stuff together and away from the house.

Timing is of the essence when cleaning up unwanted water, and cross-ventilation is the best way to dry things out.  It may not be the fastest, and you can assist with fans.  Don't forget to open small spaces like half-baths, closets and pantries. 

Then head for the yard for downed branches, debris, plastic chairs and anything in the neighborhood that wasn't nailed down during high wind and rain that may now be on your property.  Bin There Dump That can deliver a yard waste dumpster rental for you to share with a couple neighbors for tree limbs, errant junk and damaged landscaping. 

Remember this tiny fact: Most people underestimate the size of a dumpster they need, so go up a notch or two and be sure you have what you need first time, so you're not paying for multiple pick-ups and replacement. The Bin There Dump That folks can help you decide, and they'll be like your new best friend for a quick response and professional placement and storm debris and junk removal. 

Keep an eye on where ERIKA is going, hopefully it turns east and gives us a break from the rain!

Be Safe ~ Be Smart: Flood Prep

The number one natural disaster in the United States is floods, and Florida leads the country with twice as many claims and twice as much money paid out than the second state on the list [Alabama]. While a flood is a temporary condition, it is also a potentially dangerous and expensive experience. 

In the Tampa Bay region, it's not usually swollen rivers overflowing their banks, but heavy rainfall in a short period of time, measured in hours, not days or weeks or the high tides in South Tampa.   The topography is fairly flat, and there are not many appropriate places for rainwater to go once the drain systems are overwhelmed. So, it leaks and pours into inappropriate places, like your house. 

You can't control Mother Nature, but you can be prepared and remain safe during torrential rains and local flooding.   About half of people who die in floods are trying to drive through water.  The Bin There Dump That Dumpster Diva is here to tell you that water is one powerful force.   It creates valleys like the Grand Canyon, can sweep away a car or SUV in a mere two-foot depth, and a person can go down quickly in as little as six inches of rapidly moving water.  

If you live in Aspen, Colorado, you should be prepared for heavy snows and power outages.  If Chicago is your home, its nickname of the Windy City is a clue that mega breezy conditions may occur.  And if you are lucky enough to reside in the Sunshine State of Florida, flooding could be the thorn in your side.  Preparation is key, even if there's nary a cloud in the sky.  

Things to keep on hand year round, plus extras you can gather even one day in advance:

• flashlights and batteries
• radio with batteries
• pet flood emergency plan
• spare toiletries in a secure bag
• change of clothes in waterproof container
• dry foods, snacks and pet food
• medicine
• flotation devices (why not?) for every member of the family
• know how to shut off power and gas to your house
• fully charged cell phone
• at least a few gallons of clean water.

All levels of government stay informed and impart information to the public as it becomes available.  Stay tuned in advance to weather alerts and heed both watches and warnings.  Hold a family powwow and go over emergency procedures, plans and supplies.  

Take advantage of free sandbags, like the City of Tampa recently provided, and all other services, including moving to a shelter in advance.  Emergency Medical Services personnel and equipment are stretched to the limit during natural disasters, and people who plan ahead need not be in the statistics of those who need evacuation assistance or among those who perish in the disaster.   Be part of the solution, not the problem. 

• Stay calm and clear-headed
• Tune in for local news and information often
• Do not drive or walk in moving water
• Evacuate in advance if it looks worse than normal
• Cut off your own power if water rises
• Don't touch any downed power lines
• Refrain from swimming
• Be smart, sensible and safe

Since hurricanes are a serious source of flooding, many of our resources locally address flooding in hurricane preparedness communication.  Here are a few local resources for flood preparation around our area:

• City of Tampa - Hurricane & Flood Preparation
• My Fox Tampa Bay Hurricane Preparation resources
• Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Bay News 9 Hurricane Preparation resources
• City of Clearwater - Protect yourself from floods
• City of St. Petersburg - Hurricane Center