Natural disasters in Illinois and how to prepare

12/20/2022 (Permalink)

When the announcement that a storm is headed your way comes across your TV, phone, or radio what do you plan to do? Violent storms can occur at any moment and anytime across the world. The most dangerous natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes are more likely to occur in the west coast of the United States, but the central part of the United States face disasters too. Occurrences such as severe storms, floods, tornadoes, winter storms, and power outages, etc. happen each year and anytime is a great time to prepare – to ensure yourself, your loved ones, your home, or business, are all ready to handle any potential damage that a storm may bring. 

“So how can I prepare now?”, you may ask. SERVPRO has provided for you tips and tricks of how to do so.

Businesses:

• SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island encourages you to assemble a disaster preparedness team with a representative from each department to help
  • Establish vulnerabilities in each department to mitigate risks
  • Set up multiple locations to access documents to prevent loss
  • Backup documents and data
  • Organize a contact list of people within the company
  • Create evacuation plans
  • Establish a meeting place within or outside of the building for safety purposes
  • Relay the disaster preparedness plan to the staff
  • Test the preparedness, response, and recovery plans
• Have Thorough Communication
  • It’s important for employees in the business to know the order of operations for the preparedness, response, and recovery plan throughout the year. Striving to plan a staff meeting once every quarter will ensure everyone is in the loop with the plan, drills and protocols.
• Protect your Power and Electricity
  • Many natural disasters may cause power outages that shut down operations for prolonged periods. To mitigate risks, invest in a generator or an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system and surge protectors. Emergency power sources can help keep your business operational and prevent damage to electronic
• Have a Plan for Recovery
  • A plan for your business continuity is just as important as disaster preparedness and response plans. Be sure to have finances prepared for natural disasters. Make an appointment with your insurance agent to learn more about their commercial policy coverage, the amount offered, and your business’ Be sure to have coverage for incidents like water damage, tornado damages, and other business interruptions as well.
  • One of the biggest allies when it comes to natural disaster preparedness is having a cleaning and restoration services like those provided by SERVPRO. We are happy to serve. When a storm hits, know SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island is here to help. SERVPRO is 24/7 with full-service capabilities.

Residents/Homeowners:

• SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island encourages you to establish a family preparedness plan. Inform your family about the importance of knowing this by hosting a family meeting.
  • Explain what to do during each natural disaster occurrence
  • Give each household member a task that works with the overall family plan
  • Decide on what locations you all will meet in case a disaster strikes
  • Plan and discuss what to do during an evacuation
  • Plan how the family will communicate during a circumstance like this
  • Be sure to consider family member/s with disabilities and pets in the plan and adjust accordingly
• Identify Hazards
  • Clarify what types of disasters are likely to happen in our area
  • Learn about our community’s warning systems and signals (sirens, text messages, etc.)
  • Stay up to date about the weather and seasonal changes by watching the local news, listening to radio broadcasts, or looking at the weather forecast on your phone. 
  • Identify local humanitarian relief groups (Red Cross, Red Crescent, nonprofits, etc.)
  • Remain up to date on the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school, and other places you all spend time together.
• Establish Plan
  • Get flood insurance. Homeowner’s insurance DOES NOT cover flood damages
  • Create a disaster supply kit that is easy to carry
  • Locate a safe place in the home for each disaster type
  • Determine the best evacuation routes from your home
  • Show each family member how and where to shut off utilities (gas, water, electricity)
  • Create an inventory list of the property and items in your home
  • Identify where the fire extinguisher is in the home and how to use it
  • Keep a list of emergency contact hung up in your home
• Test the Disasters Preparedness Plan
  • Practice your plan every four to six months
  • Check your kit every three to four months
  • Replace the water and food items every three months
  • Be sure to keep your emergency contact list up to date

Lastly, knowing what you are dealing with when it comes to storms is helpful as well. Do you know the difference between a storm warning and a storm watch?

Watch: Be prepared! Which means severe thunderstorms are likely to occur in the area and could last within a 4–6-hour window. During a watch, stay informed, be safe, and be ready to act if needed.

Warning: Take action! Which means severe weather conditions have been spotted or indicated on the radar. A warning will usually cover a city or smaller county. The duration of these is usually an hour. People within the hour should seek shelter immediately.

Summer Storm Season

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

While many associate spring with sometimes severe weather, the threat of stormy weather continues well into summer. In fact, the potential for storms can actually increase during the summer depending on your region. For the Quad Cities, this increase in potential comes in the form of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.

Though it is often difficult to be prepared for unpredictable weather, there are steps you can take now to ensure your preparedness and, thus, your safety. If you own a business, you may want to consider an Emergency READY Profile (ERP) from SERVPRO. Either way, you can use the following tips to prepare for the possibility of severe weather:

• Create an emergency supply kit and a communication plan for your family.
• Always unplug electronic appliances, such as computers, TVs, microwaves, etc., to avoid damage.
• Fasten-down outdoor objects, such as patio furniture or grills.
• Seek shelter if you are outdoors.
• Use a battery operated radio to listen for weather updates.

For more severe weather safety tips, call your local SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island.

The Dangers of Boating in Flooded Waters

6/6/2019 (Permalink)

Trees and brush get caught on bridges, creating a hazardous station for boaters.

The flooding this year has put a damper on the nice weather we are having, especially for those of us who like to spend time on the water. It was a long, cold winter and our rivers and lakes were to be our escape! But with a record number of days at flood stage, our spring water activities have been put on hold. While it may be tempting to get out on the water with our boats, canoes or kayaks, it is extremely dangerous to do so. Below are a number of reasons not to try boating on flood stage waters:

• Debris: As the water rises on the banks of a river, the water starts to pull debris into its flow from the riverside. This debris can be made up of any possible object along the riverside such as fallen trees or parts of fallen structures. All of these objects are extremely hazardous to boaters and often hard to see.
• Strainers: These are made up of trees and logs that become lodged in a river or stream. Boats can easily become hung up on these hazards.
• Bridge abutments: As debris gets caught on bridges, it creates significant hazards for boaters. These blockages can even spread to completely block channels with debris. Bridge abutments can even cause treacherous water conditions without debris catch, as the resistance between the water and the structure creates high currents.
• Murky waters: Because flooding stirs up a lot of mud and sediment, the water will be very murky. For this reason, it is impossible to see hazards that are potentially below the service. In this way, it may seem safe above the water as a dangerous situation lurks below.

Stay safe this season and wait for the flooding to go down before boating!

Flooring Material Options for Flood-Prone Basements

5/21/2019 (Permalink)

Tile can be a good option for basement flooring.

If you get water in your finished basement during floods or heavy rains, chances are you’ve had to replace the flooring at some time or another. But what is the best material to put in a basement susceptible to water damage? While we all have certain flooring materials that we prefer, some are more resilient than others when it comes in contact with water. Regardless of the flooring you choose, the faster you clean up the water the better.

Carpet is a popular choice for basements. It makes it feel warmer and more livable. However, removing water from carpet and carpet pads can be difficult. If your carpet gets wet, you have to act very quickly to avoid mold growth. Carpet without a pad in your basement is a lot easier to salvage after water damage. We recommend calling SERVPRO right away in order to save your carpet, as we have specialty equipment that will work fast to extract the moisture and dry your carpet and pad. If your carpeting does not survive a flood, a great alternative is carpet tiles, which are easy to dry and/or replace.

Tile can be a great, low-maintenance option for your finished basement. Being made of stone or porcelain, tiles absorb very little standing water. In this way, tile flooring is essentially water-proof. Tile flooring is easy to clean and can individually be replaced if damaged.

Vinyl flooring is the best option for finished basements in flood-prone areas. It is 100% waterproof and is very easy to clean. Vinyl flooring also comes in a variety of styles, including tile and planking. In fact, many vinyl flooring options look identical to wood or laminate options.

Wood and laminate options can be quite problematic for basements, even if it does not flood. Because wood products are porous, they will absorb water. Even an overly humid basement can damage wood floors. Should your wood or laminate floors get flooded, they will almost always need to be replaced. This is because the material changes shape and warps as it absorbs water.

If you have questions about basement flooring, feel free to call SERVPRO!

Reasons Your Sump Pump May Fail

5/6/2019 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we receive a lot of calls regarding flooded basements. A major cause of flooded basements is sump pump failure, especially during flooding or heavy rains. A number of things can go wrong with your sump pump, and it is important to act fast to fix it to avoid water damage. Below is a list of common reasons for sump pump failure:

Power failure

The most common and unavoidable case of failure is power outages. This can be disastrous if it happens during a flood or heavy rains, especially if you have a basement prone to seepage. The best way to solve this issue is to have a backup generator that you can activate in case of power outages. However, never run a generator inside your home.

Sump pumps can also be damaged during a power surge. For this reason, make sure to check your pump regularly. You can also install a power surge protection device.

Incorrect Size

If your sump pump is too small, it may have trouble keeping up with the relative amount of water. Pump size can be determined depending on the size of your basement. If you are unsure, contact a plumber to estimate the adequate pump size based on your basement square footage.

Inadequate Maintenance

Some manufacturers recommend that you run your sump pump every 2-3 months to ensure it I working properly. This can help you determine any possible issues and address them before the pump stops working when you need it most. Make sure to check for clogs in your pipe, check for proper operation of the float, test your back up pump, and make sure the air hole on the discharge line is not plugged.

If you have have water damage in your basement, call SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island at 309-797-1199 to make it "Like it never even happened."

Tornadoes: How Do they Work?

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

What are they?

A tornado, often called a twister, is a rapidly circulating column of air extending from the clouds of a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can create winds exceeding 300 miles per hour; though, even much slower winded tornadoes can cause destruction.

While, most often, tornadoes last only a few minutes and do not travel much more than a mile before they disappear, others grow to massive sizes and travel for several miles, causing widespread devastation to communities.

What causes them?

Tornadoes spawn out of severe thunderstorms as warm, moist air and cool, dry air is combined. As these 2 air types collide, an instability is created. As a change in wind direction takes place, coupled with an increase in wind speed, a horizontal spinning effect begins in the lower atmosphere. Then, as air rises toward the sky, the horizontal rotating winds become vertical, thus creating the tornadoes we all recognize.

Preparing For a Flood

3/14/2019 (Permalink)

With the large amounts of melting snow up north, coupled with forecasts of heavy rain, this flood season is set to be an historic one. For this reason, it is important that you and your family are prepared. This means paying close attention to local weather predictions, being mindful of possible road closures, and following instructions from local authorities when applicable. If flooding in your area is probable, have a safe place nearby where you can temporarily relocate, such as with a family member or friend. Also, if you have pets, make sure to have food and water, vaccination papers, and proper housing arrangements made, such as animal-friendly hotels.

In addition, the American Red Cross recommends having certain items packed and ready to go for when a flood hits. See the list below of some of these essential items:

• Water—3+ day supply (1 gallon per person per day)
• Food—3+ day supply (non-perishable, easy to prepare)
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Extra batteries
• First-Aid kit
• Medications
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket

For more information, please call SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island at 5309-797-1199.

What to do when affected by storm damage

6/6/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit the Moline and Rock Island area, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (309) 797-1199

What you should have in your emergency supply kit

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

Severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere. Each year, Americans cope with an average of the following intense storms:

• 10,000 severe thunderstorms
• 5,000 floods or flash floods
• 1,000 tornadoes
• 2 land-falling deadly hurricanes

Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.

Know your risk

Understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business and your family.

Take action

Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.

Be an example

Share your story with co-workers, family, and friends. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same.

Build an emergency supply kit

• Water (one gallon per person per day)
• Food (non-perishable 3-day supply)
• Manual can opener
• Battery operated radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Clothing
• Dust masks or bandannas
• Plastic sheeting, garbage bags and duct tape
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Hygiene items
• Important documents; copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account information
• Cash
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container

Contact SERVPRO Moline/Rock Island professionals for additional readiness tips and tools, including SERVPRO’s FREE Emergency Ready Profile. Learn more and be “Ready for whatever happens!”

(309) 797-1199

Be prepared for severe weather

1/5/2018 (Permalink)

Being prepared to act quickly can be critical to staying safe during a weather event. Many businesses affected by major disasters never reopen—especially if they do not have an emergency plan in place. Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared.

Know Your Risk.

Understanding the type of hazardous weather, how it can affect you, your family or employees is important. Check the weather forecast regularly, and obtain a NOAA Weather Radio.

Take Action.

Create a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and materials in a safe place.

Be an Example.

Share your preparedness story with your family and friends. Inspire others to do the same.

Preparation is key in making it through any size disaster and having a plan in place may help. Don’t wait until disaster strikes. Call SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island at (309) 797-1199 to establish your Emergency Ready Profile and be “ready for whatever happens.”

Tools to help you be prepared for severe weather

1/5/2018 (Permalink)

One of the easiest ways to protect yourself during sever weather is to have a weather radio in your home or office. It is just as important to have a radio as it is to have a fire alarm according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A weather radio is designed to alert you of dangerous weather situations. Allows you to be warned in order to be safe. Most major retailers and online stores offer weather radios with these features for around $30. The following are the most important features to look for in a weather radio:

• Reviewable alerts (you can scroll through alerts and turn off the siren for alerts you do not wish to hear).
• Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) alert programming (alerts when specific counties are threatened, ensuring you only receive alerts for your county)..
• Ease of programming.

Remember to be safe and keep track of weather conditions. When fire or water damage puts the things that matter most on the line, you need the very best help on the line as well. Call SERVPRO Moline/Rock Island at (309) 797-1199 to get the team that’s faster to any size disaster.

Shocking facts about lightning

1/5/2018 (Permalink)

Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities. Though the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year around 1 in 500,000, some factors can put you at greater risk for being struck. Here are a few lightning safety tips.

Be aware.

Check the forecast before participating in outdoor activities. If it calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity, or make sure adequate safe shelter is available.

Go indoors.

Remember the phrase, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Find a safe, enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up.

Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete.

Do not lie on concrete floors and avoid leaning on concrete walls. Lightening can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

If you fear you have storm damage, call SERVPRO Moline/Rock Island at (309) 797-1199. We are here to help.

2017 A Year of Storms—Were You Prepared?

12/8/2017 (Permalink)

Major storms from Hurricane Harvey that ravaged the Texas and Louisiana gulf shores and Hurricane Irma that tore a path from the northeastern Caribbean Islands to the gulf shores of the Florida coast to 1,321 tornadoes that occurred from January through August all brought devastation across the United States.  Often times we do not know where or when disasters or emergencies will strike, but you can be ready.

Now is the time to think about the basics—the things you would need in advance of an emergency; how will you communicate, what supplies do you need to keep in your home, car or office.  The more you know about what to do in a storm emergency, the more confident and secure you will feel in your abilities to manage through a disaster.

Recommended Items for a Basic Emergency Supply Kit

• Water, one gallon per person, per day
• Food, non-perishable 3-day supply
• Manual can opener
• Battery operated radio—preferably a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Clothing
• Garbage bags, plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Wrench or pliers to turn  off utilities, if necessary
• Hygiene items
• Important documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account information
• Cash
• Fire extinguisher
• Candles and matches in a waterproof container

If disasters do strike, call the professionals at SERVPRO Moline/Rock Island at (309) 797-1199 to help you mitigate the damage and restore your life.  The first steps taken in a disaster situation can mean the difference between recovery and total loss.

Summer is here! And So Are The Storms!

6/23/2017 (Permalink)

When a storm hits, remember that SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island is here to help!

When Storms Hit Moline or Rock Island be sure to call SERVPRO!

Summer starts today, and we have already had our fair share of storms around the Quad Cities. Living here in the midwest, we all know how much damage our severe thunderstorms can cause. Hail can wreak havoc on roofs. Heavy rains can cause lead to flooded basements. Wind can knock down trees that could potentially destroy your home.

No matter how much damage a storm causes to your home or business, always remember that SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island is here to help with the clean up. Next time the sirens go off in your neighborhood, all the way from Fulton to Kewanne, remember that SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island is more than ready to assist your home or business with the clean up.

If Your Moline, Rock Island, East Moline, or Silvis Home or Business Has Been Damaged By A Storm Call SERVPRO of Moline/Rock Island at (309) 797-1199