Storm Weary Southeast Deals With the Damage

MIAMI, Florida, September 29, 2004 (ENS) - People across the southeast are mopping up after four hurricanes and widespread flooding devastated the region over the past six weeks, leaving at least 103 people dead and causing billions of dollars worth of property damage.

Hundreds of thousands of people are still without power, and Florida Power and Light (FPL) says it will be two weeks before electricity will be restored to the Florida counties hardest hit by Hurricane Jeanne last weekend. Southern Brevard County, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Glades, Highlands and Okeechobee counties will not have power until October 12, the utility said Tuesday.

"We are looking at an extensive rebuild in some of the hardest hit areas of our distribution system in north Palm Beach, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties where poles are down and flooding persists,” said Geisha Williams, FLP vice president of electrical distribution.

In Clyde, North Carolina Edie Hefner (left) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA gets a teary hug from Sandy Mchone of Clyde who lost everything to Hurricanes Frances and Ivan. (Photo by Leif Skoogfors courtesy FEMA)

Gulf Power Company is nearing completion of its massive power restoration effort following Hurricane Ivan which slammed ashore on September 16 leaving 90 percent of the company’s 405,000 customers in the dark.

The company has repaired the major electric system infrastructure on Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach and Perdido Key. "We have power on the beaches and the main feeders are energized," company spokesman John Hutchinson said, so when individual homes and businesses on the beaches are repaired and ready for electricity, the utility will be ready to deliver it.

Federal disaster assistance is being rushed to the storm victims. President George W. Bush has declared Florida to be a disaster area four times since August 13 - for Hurricane Jeanne that began buffeting Florida on September 24, for Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley on August 13, for Hurricane Frances on the Labor Day weekend and for Hurricane Ivan on September 16.

The President has also declared storm and flood disasters in 11 states - Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virgina, and West Virginia - since August 13.

Financial Help Is Available Now

Disaster declarations serve to release federal funds to cover emergency needs for storm victims. People in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

Federal disaster assistance can cover rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters.

Volunteer supplies ice Tuesday to a resident in West Palm Beach affected by Hurricane Jeanne. (Photo by Mark Wolfe courtesy FEMA)

Federal grants are available for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.

Grants can be used to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

Federal disaster funding can provide unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed people. Loans of up to $500,000 are available for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence.

Low interest loans of up to $1.5 million are available to ease business owners past disaster related cash flow problems if they need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact.

Pensacola Naval Air Station was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ivan. Today, the base is like a ghost town. Its personnel have been evacuated to various locations including about 1,200 Marines who were sent to Albany, Georgia. Thousands of sailors are bunking at the Pensacola Civic Center, Corry Station and schools in the Pensacola area.

Nearly every building on the base sustained at least minor damage, and many buildings are completely destroyed - several of them historic landmarks.

Congressman Jeff Miller, a Florida Republican, toured the Pensacola Naval Air Station with the President on September 19. "I'm shocked," Miller said. "I actually expected damage, but nothing of the magnitude I witnessed here today. "

U.S. Navy officials estimate the damage in the "hundreds of millions of dollars."

Wildlife Refuges Damaged

The nation's wildlife habitat too was damaged by Hurricane Ivan, which battered 10 National Wildlife Refuges in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and the Panhandle of Florida as well as the Ecological Services office in Daphne, Alabama, now closed.

National Fish Hatcheries in Georgia and Kentucky lost rainbow and brown trout populations due to power outages and storm water overflow.

The Vieques and Culebra National Wildlife Refuges in Puerto Rico, as well as the Luquillo Puerto Rican Parrot aviary suffered major water damage due to Tropical Storm Jeanne which dumped 23 inches of rain on the island closing both refuges throughout the weekend, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reports.

“The entire Southeast Region is hurricane weary, including Service employees who live and work in areas hard hit by three major hurricanes over the past month,” said USFWS Southeast regional director Sam Hamilton, before Hurricane Jeanne struck last weekend.

“Add this hurricane season to Hurricane Isabel which hit North and South Carolina last September, and we are estimating more than $47 million in damages to Fish and Wildlife Service facilities in the Southeast in this fiscal year,” Hamilton estimated.

The worst damage from Hurricane Ivan has occurred in Alabama to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge located west of Gulf Shores, Alabama along the Fort Morgan Peninsula.

Hurricane Ivan wiped out many endangered beach mice like this one. (Photo courtesy Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

There are propane tanks, jet skis, fishing and other boats, parts of buildings such as walls and roofs, downed trees, and many other types of debris inundating the area.

An emergency response crew including 32 Fish and Wildlife Service personnel working with 18 trucks, and heavy equipment, chain saws, pumps, and generators are currently supporting recovery efforts for the affected facilities at Bon Secour, Grand Bay, Choctaw and other Service facilities affected by hurricane force winds, heavy rains and high storm surges.

Initial damage repair cost estimates available at this time exceed $10 million for Hurricane Ivan. Some areas have yet to be assessed due to continued flooding, high water and isolation from tree-blocked roads.

More than 1,300 Army Corps of Engineers employees are now supporting hurricane recovery efforts in Florida, Alabama and surrounding states affected by the four hurricanes, the largest recovery operation of its type ever undertaken by the Corps.

Tree and roof damage from Hurricane Jeanne in Fellsmere, Indian River County, Florida. (Photo Michael Rieger courtesy FEMA) The Corps' Operation Blue Roof places blue plastic sheeting to cover homes that have lost their roofs to the storms. The day after Hurricane Jeanne roared through Florida, Corps and contractor teams installed 54 "blue roofs" in St. Lucie County. More than 25,000 roof covers have been installed so far in Florida, and many more are being installed now, officials said.

Corps teams have delivered more than 150,000 self-help tarps to counties in Florida, and 30,000 in Alabama for residents to install themselves.

In Alabama, three counties have asked for Corps assistance with debris removal. Working through the Advance Contracting Initiative, the Corps activated its contract with Phillips and Jordan to remove close to one million cubic yards of debris, an amount of material equivalent to about 33,000 large truckloads.

The Right Way to Fight Mold

Disaster recovery and health officials warn that victims of flooding after the hurricanes should clean damaged homes thoroughly to avoid possible health problems from mold and mildew.

Mold growth is common in flood damaged homes, and officials say it is important to clean and dry completely any areas that have gotten wet. Mold often appears in the form of discoloration, from white to orange, green, brown and black and gives off a musty or earthy smell.

"People are eager to get on with their lives after a flood, but if you had flood waters in your home, we encourage you to take the time to clean thoroughly so problems don't arise later that affect your home or your health," Federal Coordinating Officer Nick Russo said. "Don't wait until an inspector comes to your home to clean. We would like folks to make their homes safe, sanitary and secure as soon as possible."

Georgia State Coordinating Officer Mike Sherberger said, "It is important to quickly identify and correct any moisture sources before health problems develop."

"Infants, children, immune compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with existing respiratory conditions - allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity and asthma - and the elderly may be at higher risks for adverse health effects from mold," Sherberger warned.

Colony of Stachybotrys mold. This toxic black mold has been linked to fatal lung disorders. (Photo courtesy R.E. Drennan)

People may have a dry, hacking cough and sore throat; skin irritation, aches and pains, and possible fever. Central nervous system problems are possible such as constant headaches, memory problems, and mood changes.

Russo and Sherberger advise that before beginning work on a flooded home, turn off the main power if wiring is wet or moldy. Have an electrician check the house’s electrical system before turning power on again.

Remove as much mud as possible. Once you have checked the water system for leaks, hose down the inside of the house and its contents. It is best to use attachment that sprays soap to wash and rinse the walls, floors, furniture, sockets, electrical boxes, and other major items that got muddy.

Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent, or a commercial cleaner, in hot water, and scrub the entire area affected by the mold. A stiff brush or cleaning pad works well on block walls or uneven surfaces. Rinse clean with water. A wet/dry vacuum is handy for this process.

Hurricane Jeanne damaged this house in Vero Beach, Florida (Photo by Mark Wolfe courtesy FEMA)

Disinfect and dry the moldy area. It is critical to remove the source of moisture before beginning to clean up because mold growth will return if the area becomes wet again.

Bag and dispose of any material that has moldy residues, such as rags, paper, leaves, or debris. Harder materials such as glass, plastic, or metal can be kept after they are cleaned and disinfected.

If mold odors persist, continue to dry out the area and search for any hidden areas of mold. If the area continues to smell musty, you may have to re-clean the area. Continue to dry and ventilate the area. Do not replace flooring or begin rebuilding until the area has dried completely.

Carpeting can be a difficult problem – drying does not remove the dead mold spores. If there is heavy mold, consider replacing the carpet.

Wear gloves when handling moldy materials. Work over short time spans and rest in a fresh air location, and air your house out well during and after the work.

Some final advice from Russo and Sherberger - never use a gasoline engine indoors. You could expose yourself and your family to deadly carbon monoxide.

Renters, homeowners and business owners who suffered damage or uninsured losses as a result of flooding this month are encouraged to register for disaster assistance by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number for speech- and hearing-impaired applicants is 1-800-462-7585.

The Environmental Protection Agency's site covering mold and its removal is found at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldresources.asp