Homeowners Can Take Steps To Prepare For Flooding

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Homeowners Can Take Steps To Prepare For Flooding

Volunteers Can Offer Help To Flooded Families

WMUR - Manchester,NH*

March 27, 2008

http://www.wmur.com/news/15726283/detail.html

AUBURN, N.H. -- As the threat of flooding this spring looms,

officials are urging residents to be prepared.

Some families that were forced out of their homes during previous

floods are still waiting for help. The Tobin family of Auburn is one

of seven of the 60 families who had to flee their homes in the

floods of April 2007 who are still struggling to make their homes

livable again.

" We grabbed blankets, pillows -- everything -- trying to absorb as

much of it as we could, " Tia Tobin said. " We were bailing it out of

the window. I had no idea where it was coming from. "

State officials and residents are keeping a wary eye on towering

snow banks and the spring season that have raised concerns of

flooding this year. Officials and rescue organizations urged

residents to be prepared.

" It is going to happen again, " said Kathy Hoyt of Red Cross

Americorps Vista. " In the last 10 years, we've had 10 federally

declared disasters in New Hampshire. "

" People think that when a disaster happens, the state of New

Hampshire is going to come in and save them, but the truth is they

really need to save themselves, " said Tim Dubre, executive director

of Volunteer NH.

Officials offered several steps families can do to prepare for a

flood. First, buy flood insurance early because it takes 30 days to

kick in.

If your home gets flooded, start cleaning up the water quickly.

Experts said there is a window of 24 to 48 hours to dry out wet

carpeting and furniture before mold sits in. Tobin said she knows

from experience that once water gets into the walls, it's difficult

to stop mold.

" When you start running fans, you're blowing it everywhere, " she

said. " The old insulation is sucking up the water, and the mold is

just living and feeding and growing. "

Tobin said the mold, not water, forced her family to evacuate their

home twice. Her six children showed symptoms from inhaling toxic

mold spores, and the family racked up thousands of dollars in

medical expenses.

" They had upper respiratory infections, their eyes were swollen

shut, nose bleeds, " Tobin said.

Officials said most of the help flood victims receive is from

volunteers and after the past three floods...resources are spread

thin.

" After 2 1/2 years of giving and sweating people are tired, " Dupre

said. " We are running very low on supplies, resources and cash. "

Volunteer NH is a clearinghouse that coordinates donations and

manpower with those in need. Dupre said he is taking his own advice

and preparing now for what could be another flood season.

The state of New Hampshire is not obligated to help offset personal

damages and loss from flooding. The only chance for financial aid

for flood victims is if the federal government declares a state of

emergency, and even then, the funding is limited.

The total amount of individual assistance for flood victims who

fully qualify for aid is $28,000. For a family who loses a $200,000

home, that aid won't go very far, so officials said flood insurance

is important.

After 10 months sleeping on the floor in one room, the Tobins

finally have new tiles, new carpeting, fresh insulation and

wallboard. They are just waiting for a couple of dressers and

mattresses.

To help ensure that the home will never flood again, they installed

a permanent sump pump with bilge alarm.