Hurricane Irene – Flood, Water Damage And FEMA Funds Run Low

Hurricane Irene, 2011′s first hurricane, has left a path of disaster in it’s tracks. Regarding its affect on the USA, Irene passed along the coasts of Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Vermont. Vermont has seen the worst flooding in centuries. Early estimates of total damaged incurred by Irene are over $10 Billion already. Compared to the damages exacted by Hurricane Katrina, $105.8-billion, this $10 Billion is low.


As of today, there are still 3 million people on the Eastern US seaboard that are without power and thousands of people are either homeless and/or stranded by flood waters. US National Guard and firefighters have rescued hundreds of people from record flooding in New Jersey and Vermont and are now planning to airlift food and water to inland towns cut off by Hurricane Irene.

Unfortunately, FEMA’s funding has hit a low. Ten storms in the US that have required FEMA funds this year alone have caused billions in damage. FEMA’s fund is now below $1 Billion. FEMA is stating that some projects are being put on hold and no new projects will be approved until FEMA assess the needs of Hurricane Irene survivors. This year has been one of the most extreme for weather in U.S. history, with $35 billion in losses so far from floods, tornadoes and heat waves.

Hurricane Irene has killed at least 40 people and caused substantial property damage from North Carolina to Vermont over the weekend.

Currently, eyes are on Tropical Storm Katia which could be a hurricane as early as Wednesday, August 31.

1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is a full service water damage restoration company that provides emergency water removal from hurricane damage and flood damage, water mitigation, carpet drying, mold remediation, fire damage, sinkhole and sewer cleanup services. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT is located in Port Richey, Florida, and proudly services the West Gulf Coast of Florida. For more information, please visit http://www.drymeout.com

Storm Surge and Flood Damage Clearwater

Every year, the Gulf Coast is threatened by hurricanes. For the hurricanes that come close to land or actually make land fall, storm surge is often the greatest threat to land resulting from the ensuing hurricane.



Storm Surge is a complex phenomenon that relies on several different factors. Put simply, storm surge occurs when an abnormal water level rise occurs and the water is pushed onto shore by the wind force accompanying a low pressure system such as a tropical cyclone or hurricane. High winds push the ocean’s surface and pile up higher than normal, thus creating a storm surge. Factors that affect the intensity of the surge include: radius of maximum winds, storm intensity, forward speed, angle of approach, shape of coast and the width and slope of the continental shelf.


In addition to the destructive forces of the surge itself, battery waves will often accompany the surge and add to the destructive forces. Because the storm surge extends inland, it allows a pathway for the waves to follow. As noted by the National Hurricane Center: “Water weighs approximately 1,700 pounds per cubic yard; extended pounding by frequent waves can demolish any structure not specifically designed to withstand such forces.”




The devastation created by a storm surge is endless. Examples include: eroded beaches and highways, flooding, devastated buildings, damaged marinas and boats, dead vegetation, homeless animals and human fatalities. It is important to note that most fatalities that accompany a hurricane actually are caused by a storm surge or the accompanying flooding. Also important to note, in areas that usually have low and high tides, storm surges are most damaging during high tides.

By far, the storm surge that was the highest in feet and caused the most catastrophic damage was Hurricane Katrine 2005. Storm surge flooding reached 25 to 28 feet above normal tide levels along the Mississippi Coast and 10 to 20 feet above normal tide levels along the southeastern Louisiana coast. Close behind Katrina was Hurricane Camille 1969 with surge levels reaching 24 feet also along the Mississippi Coast. The largest recorded storm surge occurred in Australia in 1899 when the surge reached heights of 43 feet.

As history has shown us, storm surge is a devastating affect of hurricanes. Unfortunately, areas that are most prone to storm surges, the Atlantic and Gulf, are also densely populated and are responsible for over half of the United State’s economic productivity.



Advanced Restoration, Inc. is a Flood Damage Clearwater, Water Damage, Sewer Damage and Emergency Disaster Recovery Restoration Company in Tampa Bay, Florida. Company Services Include: WATER DAMAGE EXTRACTION and RESTORATION; MOLD REMOVAL and MOLD REMEDIATION; STORM DAMAGE RESTORATION; FLOODS; HURRICANE DAMAGE; SEWER DAMAGE; Complete Restoration Services. Residential, Commercial & Industrial structures in the Tampa Bay Metro Area, Sarasota County, FL and Manatee County, FL. 1-800-DRY-ME-OUT

Flood and Water Damage Hurricane GO BOX

The GO BOX – Everything You Need if You Must Evacuate

The Go Box contains copies of important documents, equipment and supplies that are essential for business to continue to operate. The Go Box includes documentation needed for loans in the aftermath of destruction. This information should be stored in a fireproof/waterproof secure container in an alternate location.

Below are recommended items; however, each business should discuss and specifically designate the contents of their Go Box.

Recommended Go Box Contents:

-Copy of emergency contact list, employee phone list, customers/clients phone list

-Voice mail box number and remote password information with instructions so you can change messages as needed and provide information to employees so they can receive instructions should they not be able to reach you.

-Copy of insurance policies and agent contact information

View the remaining items needed for your Flood Damage Evacuation Go Box

Flooded House New Port Richey: A Video

Learn more about Flooded House New Port Richey