FEMA Disaster Mitigation Teams Provide Outreach in Oregon 

Release Date: December 31, 2007
Release Number: 1733-034

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SALEM, Ore. -- Disaster mitigation outreach teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at home improvement stores in Astoria and Gearhart Jan. 2-12, 2008, to provide information about making homes safer and more storm resistant.

"FEMA mitigation experts will discuss repairing wind and flood-damaged homes, flood insurance, and protecting property from storms," said Federal Coordinating Officer Glen R. Sachtleben. "We urge everyone to come by the information displays, including homeowners, building contractors and architects. You can pick up brochures and ask questions about how to reduce damages through disaster-resistant building techniques."

Outreach teams will be available at:

City Lumber Company
2142 Commercial St.
Astoria OR 97103

Gearhart Builders Supply Co.
4320 101 North
Gearhart, OR 97138

Hours:
Jan. 2 - Jan. 12, 2008
Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 pm.
Sat., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun.: off 

Protecting your home from high winds can involve a variety of actions including inspecting and maintaining your home, installing protective devices, reinforcing or replacing garage doors, reinforcing double-entry doors, securing metal siding and metal roofs, securing composition shingle roofs, and removing trees that might fall on your house during a storm.

Roof failures often result from unbraced gable roofs which are more vulnerable to damage by high winds than hip roofs or flat roofs. The weakness of an unbraced gable roof is a common cause of roof failure and results in major damage to houses and contents in high winds. A building official with your local building department can determine on inspection if your roof is adequately braced or if it needs additional bracing.

State Coordinating Officer Abby Kershaw said, "Home ownership is the largest lifetime investment for residents. Building or rebuilding properly, with the best technical guidance and using tested techniques, will assure that homes will be fortified against and more resistant to severe storms, high winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides."

Brochures on how to protect homes against future severe storms, high winds and flooding will be available at the booths. FEMA wants to help mitigate or make less severe the aftermath of severe weather events. Oregonians can stop by to learn about a wide range of mitigation measures such as relocating electric switchboxes and outlets, installing sewer backup valves, and elevating furnaces, water heaters and appliances. Do-it yourself advice and consumer information about hiring responsible professionals will also be available.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-Jan-2008 08:13:38