Vermont Winter Weather Can be Source of Costly Damage
Project Impact Offers Tips to Keep Homes Safe
Release Date: November 8, 2000
Release Number: R1-00-57
Boston, MA -- As Vermont begins its annual Winter Weather Awareness Week November 5-11, the Vermont Office of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities are encouraging residents to take preventive measures now to reduce the risk of winter storm damage.
"Many people don't realize winter weather can cause severe damage to your home," said Edward von Turkovich, Vermont Office of Emergency Management Director . "But there are simple actions you can take beforehand to ensure your home is a safe haven to wait out the storm."
During winter weather, roofs risk collapse under the weight of heavy snow, and weak tree limbs coated with ice and snow buildup can become dangerous hazards. A burst pipe can potentially ruin a home's interior. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
To protect yourself and your home in advance from the dangers associated with winter weather, Project Impact recommends:
- Hiring a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from snow accumulation.
- Cutting away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
- Clearing leaves and other debris from gutters.
- Repairing roof leaks.
- Insulating pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allowing faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
- Keeping heaters at least three feet from flammable objects.
- Avoiding the use of kerosene heaters, which pose significant risk. If you must use one, refuel outside.
- Learning how to shut off water valves.
- Promptly removing ice and snow from tree limbs, roof and other structures.
Winter storms accounted for seven national major disasters in 1999 and 11 to date in 2000, damaging homes and businesses from South Dakota to Louisiana. According to the National Weather Service, winter weather in 1999 alone caused nearly $62 million in damage.
"In communities across New England, Project Impact is helping businesses and residents shift their focus from simply responding to disasters to taking actions in advance to stop the devastating property damage and loss of life," says Setti D. Warren, regional director of FEMA's office in Boston. "It is time to take preventative action."
Since its inception in 1997, nearly 250 communities and 2,500 business partners have embraced Project Impact. Instead of waiting for disasters to occur, Project Impact communities initiate mentoring relationships, private and public partnerships, public outreach and disaster mitigation projects to reduce damage from potentially devastating disasters. Previous community projects have included creating disaster resistance strategies, revising local building and land use codes, and passing bond issues to construct prevention measures that will impact the entire community.
For more information about Project Impact or preventing damage, call Paul Ford at (617) 223-9566.
Last Modified: Friday, 31-Oct-2003 09:17:42