Recovery

Large pumps like these area stationed through neighborhoods in Gulf Breeze to help the ease the flooding in city limits.(Photo: Tony Giberson/***@***.***, Tony Giberson/***@***.***)

pnj.com - by Rob Johnson - May 5, 2014

Gulf Breeze water recedes, health concerns rise

UPDATE 8:42 a.m. CDT May 6, 2014

With 16 industrial-sized pumps chugging away and another on the way, the city of Gulf Breeze could be 90 percent sucked dry of the nasty, bacteria-filled floodwater by Wednesday afternoon.

"That's our projection," said Thomas Lambert, assistant director of public services. "We got all of our pumps out. Water is going down. And we're just keeping our eyes on the forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It looks like rain is coming back."

After SWS Environmental Services pumping truck made great headway draining Washington Street on Monday — at a rate of 9,000 gallons of water per hour — Lambert says the company is bringing in a second truck today to help suck up pockets of water that aren't draining elsewhere in the city.

epa.gov

During a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

(CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

cdc.gov

CDC's Mold Web site provides information on mold and health, an inventory of state indoor air quality programs, advice on assessment, cleanup efforts, and prevention of mold growth, and links to resources.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

CDC - Floods

Homeowner Marnie Land, right, and her sister Judy Hart, left, surveys Lands flood ravaged home in the Crescent Lake subdivision Friday afternoon. At the height of the last weeks storm Land had more the three-and-half feet of rushing water running through her home.(Photo: Tony Giberson/***@***.***, Tony Giberson/***@***.***)

Learning the ropes and understanding the pitfalls of securing payment on your storm damage insurance claims could make the process easier. Even the noninsured need to document losses for federal aid.

pnj.com - by Kimberly Blair - May 4, 2014

Recovering from last week's flood greatly hinges on how victims navigate the insurance claims process.

The only options for victims without flood insurance, however, will likely be digging into savings, maxing out credit cards, cashing in 401(k) plans and borrowing money from relatives. That's why many residents are counting on federal aid, which will be made available only if President Barack Obama declares our area a disaster.