The Allstate Blog » Weather

Stories from Sandy: Renewed Purpose and Hope

Pauline Hammerbeck — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:00:48 +0000

Freehold, New Jersey. Bruce Springsteen’s hometown. And, more recently, the site of great upheaval in the wake of Sandy. The Allstate Blog sat down with Allstate agency owner Andrea Zorzi, whose agency has a long history in Freehold, to learn how the storm has impacted the community, how she’s been lending a helping hand, and her thoughts on what’s next for the city that inspired the small-town America lyrics of Springsteen songs. Allstate Blog: So, how strong is your connection to Freehold? Andrea Zorzi: My dad was a 40-year Allstate agent. He retired in 2008, and I took the business over from there. Our office has been in Freehold for more than 25 years. AB: How prepared were you for the impact Sandy could have? AZ: The forecasters warned that this would be an unprecedented storm … but in our area we have been so fortunate to escape any kind of severe weather that, although they might have made some preparations, I think many doubted it was going to have such a severe impact. AB: How soon did you realize that the impact was, indeed, severe? AZ: I live five blocks from the ocean, and I stayed through the storm. The next morning, I took a walk to the ocean. It was hard to recognize that this was the same place I stood the day before. The entire landscape had changed. There were homes that floated into the street, debris strewn about, things that didn't belong where they were ... sections of the boardwalk three streets over from where it should be. I've never seen anything like it. AB: How soon were you able to communicate with customers? AZ: It was very difficult in the beginning. None of us had power in our homes or offices, no gas and nowhere to get it. Even cell phone service was disrupted … for many, only text messages were getting through. I knew that so many of our customers were in the affected areas and without power, phones or internet in the office or anywhere. It was easy to feel helpless. I posted my cell phone number on our office door and kept showing up, not knowing what else to do; my staff and I wanted to help these people whose lives, we knew, had been torn apart. AB: What could you do to help? AZ: Well, the first few days after the tragedy, the needs were immediate for things like flashlights, batteries, candles, jackets, and blankets. But it was clear that no one knew where to go or what to do. So, we’re sitting in our cold, dark office and my senior producer, Joann came up with the idea that we should be a drop-off point for supplies. AB: Great idea. So, how did you spread the word? AZ: We were able to get Facebook on our phones, so we started by posting requests for supplies on Saturday night. We saw what people close to the affected areas were posting about their needs—we compiled a list and put it out there. On Sunday morning, we came into the office, we barely got the signs up and people just started coming in. Many with their cars and vans full of stuff! AB: That must have really felt good. AZ: It did. It gave us purpose. By the time our power came on a few days later, the office was filled to the brim with donations. As customers started coming in to file or discuss their claims, we had people still streaming in with donations. It motivated many of our customers to come back to the office with donations of their own. We’ve been filling trucks, and calling on our friends to use their trucks, to get everything out to these checkpoints that have been set up near the most affected areas. These hubs have been created because so many people have been coming out with offers to help. We’ve certainly seen that sense of philanthropy. For our own efforts, the volunteers and donations we’ve amassed have been amazing. It just sort of snowballed. AB: Why do you think that is? AZ: I think, for many people, it was empowering to be proactive and actually start doing something. So many people lost so much. Coming in to help those people was a way to turn the helplessness into hope. In fact, a whole movement has formed to help—it’s truly an outpouring of support. AB

All You Need to Know About Solar Storms

The Storm Crew — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:00:19 +0000

Six million Canadians mysteriously found themselves without power for more than nine hours on March 13, 1989. The cause? A surprise storm from outer space. That’s right; a powerful geomagnetic storm disrupted Hydro Quebec’s electric power transmission grid. Effects from the space storm even melted transformers as far south asNew Jersey. In our technology-dependent society, space weather can have a serious and direct impact on our daily lives. While power outages due to space weather are rare events, it’s possible that a widespread outage, like the 1989 Canadian outage, could easily occur again with even more serious consequences. Power and communication disruptions could cripple computer systems, telephone systems, satellite networks and GPS-dependent services. Planes couldn’t fly, phones would stop working, gas stations couldn’t pump fuel, and credit cards and debit cards would be rendered useless. Is extreme space weather a serious threat? Mike Hapgood, a space weather scientist at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory nearOxford,England, says yes. Hapgood says minor geomagnetic storms are a periodic – and insignificant – occurrence. Much of our planet’s electronic equipment and orbiting satellites are built to withstand these storms. But a major coronal mass ejection (a large solar flare) could cause a serious geomagnetic storm that disrupts our power grid and communication system.

There’s a 12 percent chance that a serious space weather storm could happen in the next decade. --Space Weather, online journal published by the American Geophysical Union

Depending on where you live, a hurricane, tornado or earthquake may seem far more likely to impact your daily life than a space storm. After all, a recent flare-up of solar activity in March led to lots of media coverage, but no real problems. According to Hapgood, that’s because March’s solar activity was due to solar flares, rather than a coronal mass ejection. So, what’s the difference? Think of a large solar flare as a heavy rainstorm. Sure, there may be some flash flooding, but any real damage is minimal. A coronal mass ejection, however, is like a Category 5 hurricane bearing straight down on your house. That’s never good news! Coronal mass ejections occur when the sun’s magnetic field disrupts the sun’s atmosphere, sending an ejection of charged particles into space. If this hurricane of particles hits Earth, it can overload the electrical grid and disrupt the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Should you prepare for space weather? Absolutely. Effects of solar storms, including the loss of communication technology and electricity, could cripple our country for several days or even weeks until power is fully restored. Fortunately, preparing for space weather is similar to preparing for other natural disasters. FEMA recommends all families make an emergency kit and a family communications plan. Keep in mind that you may be unable to use your debit card or credit card and that fuel pumps may not work. I always keep a small stash of emergency cash on hand and at least half a tank of fuel in my car. A car phone charger or solar-powered charger can keep your phone powered until electricity is restored.

Disaster Preparedness Tips For Renters

Rebecca Freeman, ForRent.com — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 10:00:47 +0000

The West has earthquakes, the East has hurricanes and right smack in the middle is the infamous Tornado Alley. So what can you do about disaster preparedness when you’re living in a 700-square-foot apartment? Obviously, preparation for each natural disaster is a little different, but one thing is certain: emergency preparedness is not just a concern for homeowners—renters are equally at risk. Here are some apartment-specific tips to get you started.

Create an Emergency Kit

Having a disaster supplies kit is a must. Here are some ideas on what to include in an emergency kit:

Portable radio;
Flashlight with extra batteries;
First aid kit;
Spare set of keys;
Drinking water;
Battery tester (I found one for $3 online, so this won’t break the bank); and
Personal identification, credit card, cash and anything else of value to you.

If you're on a budget, you can pick up many of these at your local dollar store.

Find storage spots for your supplies

Apartments are notorious for their space limitations. But you can find lots of storage opportunities if you get a little creative. Try storing your disaster supplies under the bed, in a closet, or even on top of the refrigerator. If you're feeling crafty, install a fun curtain in front of a bookcase and store your supplies there (or stash everything under a table and drape it with a tablecloth).

Meet the neighbors

Don't wait until it's too late to meet your neighbors! If you know your neighbors, you can team up and check on each other's welfare. Be sure to work out an emergency meeting place in advance; if it's too dangerous to meet outside the apartment building, designate the coffee house within walking distance as the rendezvous point.

Have an apartment evacuation plan

Navigating a high-rise apartment can be tricky. Be familiar with your building’s evacuation plan (it’s usually posted in the common areas), and map your options for getting out. If you have to evacuate, leave your apartment quickly but calmly. Never take the elevator—always use the stairs (and know which doors lead to the street). Plan for a variety of escape routes in case some are blocked in an emergency. Also: Mandatory means mandatory. If the authorities ask you to evacuate, don't risk staying behind. Say it with me... better safe than sorry!

Take an inventory of your stuff

Do you have a list of everything you own? Or, know how much it would take to replace it if a disaster wiped out all your stuff? Using a home inventory checklist and documenting your personal belongings can pay big dividends should you ever need to make an insurance claim.

Survive a natural disaster

If all else fails ... you need to know what to do if a natural disaster does hit:

Surviving a tornado: Get low! If you can't get low (as in a basement), get in the middle of the apartment. Protect yourself from falling objects with a blanket, mattress, etc. If you're outside, get low and flat. Look around for a ditch or other low-lying area. And shield your head with your hands and arms.
Surviving a hurricane or flood: Sandbags are a good idea, especially if you’re in a first-floor apartment (is this something building management can store?). Do not go outside during what appears to be the calm of the storm; winds change quickly and can cause injury.
Surviving an earthquake: Just remember D-C-H: Duck, take Cover under a sturdy object (or move to an interior wall and protect your head), and Hold your position until the shaking stops.

Prepping for natural disasters isn’t on the top of most renters’ to-do lists. It may take some extra time and a bit of money, but the effort can make all the difference in the long run.

Guest blogger Rebecca Freeman writes on behalf of ForRent.com, the Nation's Leading Apartment Resource.

Sources: www.osha.gov and www.fema.gov

City Dwellers or Country Folk: Who’s Better Prepared for a Disaster?

Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:00:48 +0000

The word “prepper” hasn’t been a part of the American lexicon for very long, and yet millions now consider themselves as such. Emergency preparedness has become quite trendy, and people are stocking up on food, water, firearms and other supplies to minimize the impact an emergency will have on their lives. It’s as though a zombie apocalypse has arrived. But is it possible to be a prepper and live in a city? Are rural preppers in safer locations?

City Life: The Benefits

Urban and suburban dwellers have the advantages of readily available services, products, and large support systems of emergency and medical personnel. When a crisis hits, help is less than a few miles away. The city also offers more choices when it comes to employment and education. It’s no wonder that Americans have been flocking to big cities for a century.

City Life: The Drawbacks

The problem with life in the cities, though, is that it encourages and nurtures a dependent mindset and anonymity. Even so-called “Doomsday Preppers” who are city bound must still rely on their city’s infrastructure. True self-reliance is all but impossible when you consider that your home’s only water supply comes from the city (which is vulnerable to contamination), and you share a sanitation system with a million other people. Additionally, extreme hardship brings out the worst in people, and living smack dab in the middle of a city can increase your family’s vulnerability. Consider, also, that virtually every product on store shelves is delivered via 18-wheelers. It doesn’t take much of an emergency to bring our trucking system to a halt. To complicate matters, an evacuation is virtually impossible in most large cities.

Country Living: The Benefits

But is rural life that much better for a prepper family? Well, the answer is mostly yes, with a few words of caution. A small town, farm, or homestead typically offers life at a slower pace and more opportunities to connect with neighbors who are more likely to have a similar mindset. It’s easier to find a home with its own water supply and space for a large garden; and it can be reassuring to know exactly where your water and food comes from.

Country Living: The Drawbacks

The drawbacks of rural life center mainly on the element of isolation. If you’re five miles from the nearest neighbor, who will hear you scream? Who will notice suspicious characters skulking around your home while you’re away on vacation, or flames shooting from your roof? It’s one thing to have extra food and water stored and quite another to put out a house fire or battle a gang of thugs on your own. There are fewer jobs available in rural settings and, as one homesteading friend said, “If you move to the country, get ready for your income to drop, dramatically.” Life can also be surprisingly expensive when it comes to purchasing farm equipment, having a well dug, and caring for livestock.

Tip for city preppers

So, if you’re stuck in a city, is survival impossible? Not hardly. My no. 1 survival rule is, “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” Even a small apartment can accommodate a few dozen gallons of water and extra food (especially if you’ve thoroughly de-cluttered your living space). Challenge yourself to learn skills of self-reliance, such as canning and basic home repairs. Network with other prepper-minded people via MeetUp groups, gardening clubs, and backyard chicken support groups. (If you’ve ever owned chickens, you’ll understand!) And get to know your neighbors. You need to know who you can depend on in a crisis and who will become part of the problem.

Tip for rural preppers

If you find yourself in a small town or rural area, continually build on your bank of skills and knowledge. Plan and save money for alternative sources of energy. Get your amateur radio license so you’ll have a way of communicating with others in the area if an emergency arises. If you depend on an electric powered well pump, save money to buy a manual pump because without water…there is no survival. The reality is that, regardless of your current address, you and your family can survive everyday disasters and worst case scenarios with some planning, budgeting, and, most importantly, action.

Lisa Bedford, author of Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios, also blogs at www.thesurvivalmom.com.

How to Spot Foundation Damage Caused by Drought

Roy Spencer, Perma-Seal — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:00:35 +0000

You don’t have to be a weather geek to be well aware of the severe heat waves and drought that have affected much of the country recently. The impact on gardens, once-green lawns and other landscaping is unmistakable. But what you may not know is that this kind of heat and extended dryness can mean big problems for your home. It can cause the ground beneath your house to harden and crack, and even start moving and sinking. And of course, when the ground starts to shift it can cause damage to your home’s foundation. Luckily, if you know where to look, these kinds of issues can be spotted and repaired.

Look for foundation damage outside your home:

Is the brickwork cracked or separated?
Is siding or caulking broken or cracked?
Has the concrete or soil next to the foundation sunk?
Is your gas meter is askew?
Is the chimney pulling away from the house?

Spot the signs of foundation damage inside your home

How about inside? Do you see any of these problems?
Are doors or windows sticking, not shutting properly?
Is drywall or plaster cracking?
Are there gaps under baseboards or cabinets?
Is the basement floor cracked and unlevel?
Does the foundation wall have a noticeable bow toward the middle or upper two-thirds?
Are foundation cracks offset? (Run your hand over the cracks. If both sides are not on the same plane, the crack is offset and may show movement.)

Of course, each of these symptoms could be attributed to other causes. But if you have one or more issue, you would be wise to have a certified foundation specialist from a qualified foundation repair company inspect your home and provide you with a permanent solution. If your foundation has begun sinking or settling, for instance, a foundation piering system can be used to permanently level your foundation by using structural steel piers to transfer the weight onto bedrock, or bearing soil. In most cases, it’s possible for this process to even out your walls and floors once again! This may sound like a big project, but an experienced and professional crew can normally complete a job like this within a few days, with minimal disruption to your life.

Hold off on temporary repairs, fixes

If your home has a possible underlying structural problem, avoid temporary repairs like:

Window and door replacements
Brick or aluminum siding replacements
Mud-jacking of floors and concrete work
Extensive drywall and carpentry repairs
Tuck pointing

Structural problems will likely deteriorate with time; sometimes suddenly. And that could lead to HUGE problems later on, including:

Broken sewer, water or gas lines
Collapse of foundation walls
The need to replace the entire foundation

Another important tip: we’ve fielded a lot of questions from homeowners who’ve heard they should water their foundations to prevent drought damage. While it’s a practice that might help, it’s not very practical if you consider the amount of watering it would take.

Guest blogger Roy Spencer is with Perma-Seal.

Extreme Protection for Extreme Weather

Brendan — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:00:28 +0000

We’ve all been there – wind and rain (and maybe even hail) are pounding the outside of your house while the family is huddled around the radio or a battery powered TV, no lights and wondering when it will all be over. Seems like we’re powerless against the wrath of Mother Nature, but does it really have to be such a helpless situation for us all? Storm preppers everywhere are using the latest innovations to combat severe weather, no matter what kind of storm you’re facing.

Safety Pod

When the big waves hit, you need to be able to protect yourself… and there’s no better way than to use the Tsunami Pod! This may sound extreme, but if it saves your life, you’ll be glad you went with the newest innovation in storm protection. This pod will keep a family of six upright and afloat in any high water situation and makes even the most seaworthy craft look like a river raft.

Safety Bubble

Even if you’re not out driving in the inclement weather, the thought of storm damage to your car can be frightening enough. Come hail or high water, you need to make sure your transportation survived. If you don’t have a storm-chasing tank, then Carcoon’s Double Skin Outdoor protection bubble is your best bet! It is a bubble of protection for your car that prevents damage from flying debris, extreme weather or even the unwanted animal seeking shelter.

Safety Net

If you’re the type to take safety to the extreme, then why not surround your entire home in a safety net? The Cat-5 Netting System will protect everything from your windows and doors to your roof shingles and landscaping. It’s like wrapping your home in a cozy blanket, except this blanket can survive hurricane force winds, repel flying trees, and protect every man, woman, and child inside! Are you a high roller with a private jet? The Cat-5 Netting System protects planes too! But then again, if you had one of those, you would probably take it and fly somewhere with better weather. This all may be a bit drastic, but preparation and protection are important.

What extreme measures have you taken against Mother Nature?

Busting Storm Safety Myths: The Truth Behind 4 Urban Legends

The Storm Crew — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:00:45 +0000

Batten down the hatches! Our Storm Crew is busting some of the most common storm safety myths and sharing weather safety tips.

Growing up with a father who loved chasing storms, I experienced some seriously close encounters with Mother Nature. While I certainly learned to respect extreme weather and the value of preparation, I also heard plenty of folklore and urban myths about the best way to stay safe during storms. From where to stand during an earthquake to the best way to protect your home from a hurricane, here’s the real truth behind four common storm safety myths.

Myth #1: Wear a helmet to protect your head during a tornado.

On April 27, 2011, an F4 tornado ripped through central Alabama. Head injuries caused more than half of all fatalities. Would helmets have made a difference? Maybe. Helmets can protect the head from falling debris. However, helmets are only useful if they are stored in an easily accessible location. When a tornado strikes, most people have only a few moments to seek safety. Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that “looking for a helmet in the few seconds before a tornado hits may delay you getting safely to shelter.” Truth: Helmets are not a substitute for shelter.

Myth #2: A doorway is the safest place to stand during an earthquake.

Back away from the door! According to the California State Department of Conservation, taking shelter in a doorway is only a good idea if you live in an unreinforced adobe home. In modern buildings, the entire structure is reinforced so standing in the doorway offers no benefit. In fact, standing in a doorway is dangerous – you’re more likely to be injured by a swinging door when the building shakes. Additionally, standing in the doorway of a public building can block exits and cause you to be trampled when people rush outside. Truth: Stay safe by taking shelter under a table or heavy desk.

Myth #3: Open windows prevent the roof from blowing off during a tornado.

Sorry, but simple physics quickly dispels this storm safety myth. The “open windows” myth is based on the incorrect belief that a buildup of pressure inside a house can cause the roof to blow off during a tornado. However, it’s not the pressure that destroys a home during a tornado, but the force of winds and flying debris. A 260 mph wind will flatten just about anything in its path, including your home. Open windows can do nothing to stop this. In fact, opening windows allows additional debris into your home. Truth: Don’t waste time opening windows. Take shelter immediately in an underground basement, storm shelter or a windowless interior room.

Myth #4: Tape windows with a big “X” before a hurricane to make them impact resistant.

Save your tape. Taping does nothing to strengthen windows or prevent them from breaking during a hurricane. The only safe way to protect glass windows is with storm shutters. Choose shutters constructed from 5/8-inch plywood or metal. Truth: Storm-proofing your home with hurricane shutters is a quick and easy way to reduce property damage and increase safety.

Post your safety myth below!

The Lasting Impact of Natural Disasters

Brendan — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:00:12 +0000

What can 28,000 rubber duckies teach us about the impact of natural disasters on our world? A lot, actually! In 1992, a shipping crate with more than 28,000 duckies was lost while travelling in the Pacific. Today, the duckies continue to wash up on shores around the world. By making landfall everywhere from Hawaii and Australia to Alaska and Scotland, this flotilla of rubber duckies is showing scientists how ocean currents transport garbage around the world. The duckies also help explain how debris from Japan’s 2011 tsunami is making its way to American soil – and why the impact of ecological disasters is further reaching than scientists previously thought. On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 earthquake rocked the coast of Honshu, Japan’s most populous island. This quake churned up 130-ft high tsunami waves that swept away towns and farmland. The quake also damaged the Fukushima nuclear reactor, sending officials scrambling to avoid a nuclear meltdown and rendering the town uninhabitable due to radiation levels. One year later, on March 12, 2012, the Japanese government confirmed that the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster caused more than 15,861 deaths.

The World Bank estimates that damage from the quake could cost $235 billion, making it the most expensive natural disaster in world history.

Thanks to the tsunami, an estimated one to two million tons of debris is floating across the Pacific toward America’s coastline. From lumber and fishing boats to clothing and refrigerators, debris swept out to sea by the tsunami is expected to make landfall in the Hawaii islands and Pacific atolls starting this winter. The garbage is expected to hit the coasts of Oregon,Washington, Alaska and Canada sometime between March 2013 and March 2014. Nikolai Maximenko, an ocean currents expert at the University of Hawaii, estimates that only 1 to 5 percent of total tsunami debris will actually make landfall on the U.S. and Canadian coasts. The majority will join the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”, a swirling junkyard of plastic debris and other trash floating in the Pacific. The trash is estimated to cover an area the size ofTexas. Specific measurements are difficult, however, since the garbage patch is not one solid mass, but billions of separate trash islands, making clean up difficult to impossible.

Heavy Duty

And it’s not just small, light garbage that will potentially float over to U.S. shores. In June of this year, a 66-foot-long floating dock made of concrete and steel floated ashore on a beach inOregon. In addition to a metal placard naming the manufacturer and dated June 2008, the dock also brought with it a starfish native toJapanamong the marine life clinging to the dock. While the shipwrecked rubber duckies have developed a devoted following, the plastic garbage, fishing gear and lumber that is expected to make landfall next year on American coastlines will hardly be received with so warm a welcome. Instead, this impending trash tsunami is a reminder that natural disasters have a global impact. From Hurricane Katrina to last year’s quake in Japan, natural disasters leave a mark on our world long after the floodwaters have subsided. These events affect a nation’s economy and psyche, while also reshaping a region’s environment and ecology. And the impact is not limited to the disaster’s point of origin. As theJapan quake shows, their effects are far-reaching. The full impact of an ecological disaster goes beyond natural disaster statistics for damage or rebuilding costs. This begs the questions:

How do the choices we make each day affect our environment or contribute to climate change?
Is an empty plastic bottle you used 10 years ago now floating in the Pacific Garbage Patch?

Buyer Beware: Your Used Car May Have Been in a Hurricane

Brendan — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:51:17 +0000

Hurricane Irene is no longer headline news, but that doesn’t mean she’s not still cutting a path of destruction throughout the United States. Those who think that the danger is gone once the flood waters have receded might be in for something of a rude awakening – especially the thousands who might be buying flood damaged cars without even knowing it. It’s something that happens after every major hurricane. The car market is suddenly “flooded” with used cars priced so low that they may raise your eyebrows. Although a price that’s too good to be true isn’t always a dead giveaway that you’re dealing with someone who’s selling damaged cars, it can certainly be taken as a warning sign that the vehicle you’re eyeing might have seen a troubled past. Because buying flood damaged cars can cost you a fortune in repairs and because they can actually be dangerous on the road, it’s critical that you know what to look for to ensure you’re not buying into one.

Be wary of buying cars from private sellers without getting a full inspection.
Always have a qualified mechanic perform an inspection, regardless of who you’re buying a used car from.
If you decide to deal only with car dealerships, ensure the one you’re patronizing hasn’t been in the news lately and hasn’t seen the inside of too many courtrooms. This may require you to do some homework, but it’ll be worth the effort to rule out any seedy dealerships.
Look for mildew, water stains and sand under the floor mats and carpeting.
Evidence of mud or dirt in the spare tire stowage is often another sign that a car’s been underwater.
Lift the hood and look for rust around electrical connections and general oxidation.
Rusty screws will also tip you off to a vehicle that’s been exposed to flood water.
Use VINCheck, a free service from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which will tell you if a car’s been damaged in a flood, stolen, or declared as salvage. The NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System) is also another great resource to check a vehicle’s history before putting down your hard earned money.

It’s perfectly legal for someone to sell a car that’s been previously damaged in a flood. What’s not legal is selling damaged cars without disclosing their full history to a buyer first. If you own a flood damaged car and sell it to someone without being totally up front about it, this omission could get you into serious hot water. If you want to avoid being suckered into buying a flood damaged car, never let a price that’s too good to pass up prevent you from doing your due diligence.