Page 16
The INDEPENDENT, November 18, 2010
Flood damage can be minimized using these FEMA provided tips
From page 5
walls. To keep water away from
indoor furnaces, utilities and
appliances, build a watertight
masonry wall around them.
• Anchor fuel tanks. Indoor
and outdoor fuel tanks should
be anchored by non-corrosive
metal straps or pressure-treat-
ed wood to prevent them from
turning over or floating away.
• Repair leaks and cracks
immediately. Leaky roofs and
foundation cracks let water into
a home more readily. This
weakens a structure and pro-
vides an ideal habitat for mold.
If wet spots appear on the ceil-
ing or cracks appear in a foun-
dation, fix them immediately.
• Clean gutters and drains. If
gutters and drainage systems
are blocked by leaves or de-
bris, water can overflow and
quickly flood a home or yard.
Check all gutters and drainage
systems regularly for leaves
and nests. Also double-check
storm drains on your street, as
leaves and debris can block
them, causing water to collect.
• Install a backflow valve,
check valve, drain plug or
standpipe. These measures
ensure sewage only flows one
way – outside. Consult with a
professional to remain code
compliant.
FEMA’s How-To Series of-
fers free information and publi-
cations for property owners and
contractors about construction
techniques and measures to
reduce flood loss or damages.
The series is available at
www.FEMA.gov or by calling 1-
800-480-2520.
Finances need not be a
stumbling block to homeowners
who have flood insurance. Pol-
icyholders may qualify for In-
creased Cost of Compliance
coverage for substantially dam-
aged properties, which helps
pay to bring the home into com-
pliance with local floodplain de-
velopment
requirements.
Loans and help with insurance
payments may also be avail-
able.
For information on the Na-
tional Flood Insurance Program
call 1-800-CALL-FLOOD ext.
304 or visit FEMA’s Web site at
www.floodsmart.gov. For more
information on flood proofing
your home, you can order the
Homeowner’s Guide to Retro-
fitting, Publication 312, by call-
ing FEMA at 1-800-480-2520.
Wind storm preparedness tips
From page 1
clocks are other essentials,
along with a supply of fresh
batteries. If electric wheel
chairs or electric life support
devices are part of the equa-
tion, consider extra battery
packs or a prearranged agree-
ment from local police or fire
stations for priority support.
Never use a portable gener-
ator in a garage, carport, base-
ment, crawlspace or other en-
closed or partially-enclosed
area, even with ventilation. If
you start to feel sick, dizzy, or
weak while using a generator,
get to fresh air immediately. In-
stall home Carbon Monoxide
alarms that have battery back-
up. Store fuel safely.
See Wind on page 21
Just for Fun
Casey and Kyle by Will Robertson
C r o s s w o rd Pu z z l e
November 4
puzzle answer
Happy Thanksgiving!
Morality
cannot be
legislated
but behavior
can be regu-
lated. Judi-
cial decrees
may
not
change the
heart, but
they can
restrain the
heartless.
MARTIN
LUTHER
KING, JR.
American
clergyman
and activist
(1929-1968)