emergency water damage restoration
emergency water damage restoration |
- Sonoma County Flood Damage Estimated At $155M - Healdsburg, CA Patch
- Action 9: Laws that would change contractor practices gain traction - WFTV Orlando
- State Response: By the Numbers - 1011now
| Sonoma County Flood Damage Estimated At $155M - Healdsburg, CA Patch Posted: 04 Mar 2019 12:00 AM PST SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Days of heavy rains and flooding along the Russian River have caused an estimated $155 million in damage across Sonoma County, officials said Saturday. Properties affected include 1,900 homes — 1,760 with major damage — and 578 businesses, according to county estimates. "This is a heartbreaking time for our community," said Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, whose district was hit hardest by the flooding. "We appreciate everyone's patience as we all work together to help our community recover. We've done it before and we can do it again." Once the floodwaters receded Friday, county staff began conducting damage assessments on the estimated 2,600 properties inundated by flooding. Emergency crews and elected officials also flew over the area, documenting the flooded area. Initial assessments estimate $155 million in damages countywide, according to a news release from the county on Saturday. On Tuesday, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors made a local emergency proclamation and requested assistance from the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday declared a State of Emergency, which allows for state funds and resources to help the flooded and damaged communities recover and repair damaged infrastructure. The river reached its crest Wednesday night at 45.4 feet. Flood stage is 32 feet at the Guerneville Bridge. Guerneville was the hardest hit river community, while parts of Sebastopol were flooded by an overflowing Laguna de Santa Rosa. Elsewhere in the county, the Healdsburg City Council is expected Monday night to approve an emergency declaration that was issued last week by City Manager David Mickaelian. The city's water reclamation facility sustained several feet of flooding overnight Feb. 26; the facility will need to be deep-cleaned and any damaged equipment or infrastructure repaired or replaced, city staff said. Badger Park, Railroad Park and Fitch Mountain Open Space Preserve were closed because of storm damage, with assessment of other possibly damaged city of Healdsburg facilities and property continuing. The city of Santa Rosa proclaimed the existence of a local state of emergency as of Feb. 28. During the recent atmospheric river weather event, the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant was impacted by localized flooding and sewer flow rates coming into the plant were higher than ever recorded, placing strain on the system, city officials said. Current emergency and recovery information is available at Socoemergency.org. Residents of Guerneville and other lower Russian River communities began returning to their properties Friday. A Local Assistance Center for county residents opened Sunday at noon to serve as a one-stop location for the community to access government, nonprofit and private resource providers. The center is located in the former Bank of America building at 16390 Main St. in Guerneville. The hours for the center are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through at least Saturday, March 9. Government agencies and nonprofits are represented at the center, and all county residents can access services regardless of immigration status, according to a Sonoma County spokeswoman. County departments at the center include Permit Sonoma, to provide over-the-counter permits for some repairs and to begin the permit process for structural work and building safety, according to a release from Sonoma County spokeswoman Briana Khan. In addition, the county's human services department is taking applications for CalFresh food benefits and Medi-Cal. The county's health services department has representatives from animal services, environmental health, and behavioral Health to provide mental health support and referral. The Sonoma County Community Development Commission will support other housing needs. California state agencies on hand include the Department of Motor Vehicles (Monday-Saturday) for those needing identification or driver licenses. The state department of insurance is available (Monday-Saturday) to provide insurance support and the Contractors State Licensing Board will provide contracting support and resources. Nonprofits, including United Policyholders (Wednesday-Thursday), American Red Cross, and The Salvation Army are providing additional resources and support to local residents. The assistance center also has information on topics related to the flood including debris drop-off locations for non-hazardous waste, and dates and times for hazardous waste drop offs as well as important health and safety information. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Bay City News Service contributed to this report.  Get the Healdsburg newsletter |
| Action 9: Laws that would change contractor practices gain traction - WFTV Orlando Posted: 21 Mar 2019 12:00 AM PDT  ORLANDO, Fla. - For several years, Action 9 has exposed how some contractors abuse water damage insurance claims and drive up everyone's homeowners' premiums. These companies take over your insurance claim and submit inflated repair bills. All attempts to change the law have failed, but consumer investigator Todd Ulrich reported that could change in just a few months. "It's just outrageous that they would charge that much for what they did," said a homeowner. He claimed a contractor took over his water damage insurance claim, ran up the bill and didn't leave him any money to rebuild the bathroom.
After a hurricane, another owner said a contractor collected his insurance money to replace the roof, but that never happened. "I think they pocketed the money. I hate to say it," he said. Both homeowners had signed an assignment of benefits contract, giving contractors total control of their insurance claim.
Critics said repair companies file inflated or phony claims, driving up everyone's insurance rates by double digits.
"I hate assignment of benefits. It should be outlawed," Darlene Masturzo said. Now AOB reforms have the best shot at passing in the Florida Legislature. The reforms would give consumers control and cap runaway AOB inflation. "The legislature is already moving two bills, one in the House and one in the Senate -- and the Florida Chamber is optimistic consumers will get a win out of this," said Mark Wilson with the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Key provisions of the AOB reforms would limit emergency water damage claims to repairs preventing further damage, not rebuilding. Consumers would be able to cancel an AOB contract if work doesn't start in 30 days, and the reforms would curb soaring legal fees insurance companies pay to challenge inflated repair bills. Supporters said it's all possible since the state's top republican backs the effort. "To reform the issue of AOB, which has become a racket," Gov. Ron DeSantis said. Masturzo called Action 9 two years ago after an assignment of benefits contract left her stranded in a gutted home she could not afford to rebuild. It took her two years to recover. "What has this been like for you?" Ulrich asked. "Pure hell," Masturzo replied. The restoration industry and it's attorney groups oppose the reforms, saying AOB contracts give consumers the best chance to get their full insurance coverage-- and that intense opposition remains. © 2019 Cox Media Group.  |
| State Response: By the Numbers - 1011now Posted: 24 Mar 2019 02:36 PM PDT  LINCOLN, Neb.- On March 13, when the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC) opened in anticipation of flooding and a blizzard, no one could have predicted what was ahead. Today, on the 12th day of operations, numbers reflecting impact and response are coming to light. Agriculture (NDA): Farmers and ranchers in need of assistance should contact their local emergency manager. A list of emergency managers can be found at: https://nema.nebraska.gov/overview/county-emergency-management-directors coordinators. For more information, contact 800-831-0550 or nda.nebraska.gov. Current primary needs are hay, fencing, volunteers, & equipment. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Producers who have lost livestock are asked to photo document losses and bury animals according to regulations. Renderers are unable to get to some sites and are cannot keep up with demand. Information of burial can be found on the DEQ website: NDEQ and the Nebraska Energy Office is working with power industry and pipelines to ensure reliability and continuous service. NEO is also working with weatherization and loan participants offering low interest loans for HVAC and other energy efficiency issues for flood recovery. · Through cooperation with EPA Region 7 and DHHS, a mobile testing laboratory was set up in Fremont, Norfolk, and Verdigre to help private well owners determine their water quality. Through March 23, 226 private well samples were analyzed for total coliform and E. coli bacteria. The public was very receptive and thankful. Approximately 30% of the results indicated the presence of bacteria. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Currently tracking hospital and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) status and availability. One hospital has stopped taking patients due to flood damage (Lynch), and a second hospital prepared to evacuate (though no evacuation was ultimately needed). Eight nursing home facilities were evacuated, including over 200 residents. Residents are beginning to move back to the facilities. Providing behavioral health staffing for the NEMA call center. Department of Transportation (NDOT) · To date, 1309 miles of highway have reopened; 258 miles of highway are still closed. · There are 15 damaged bridges on State Highways. · NDOT District 2 worked to find a low-water route for supplies into Fremont that brought much needed supplies. Fremont had been cut off, because all highways in and out were closed. · For road conditions, contact 511, www.511nebraska.gov, or download the free mobile app. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Additional counties may be added assessments are completed and submitted to FEMA. FEMA suggests the following steps be taken to being recovery: Nebraska 211 NEMA NEMA Call Center 402-817-1551 Nebraska National Guard (NENG) Nebraska Strong Red Cross and Other Volunteer Organizations Small Business Administration (SBA) If you are located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). What Types of Disaster Loans are Available? Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. Information can be found at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela  |
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