Bob's Web Blog

While a great number of people are still preparing for the possibility of flooding, some are looking at an incredible mess and wondering if it's possible to save anything. This is mainly for those without flood insurance, but who still have a house standing. These are some of the things we did in 1979 after having 4 1/2 ft. of water in our house. Look around your house - there are not many places higher than 4 ft. that you can set things - unless you have a second story. You will be amazed at the items you can wash, even though under normal circumstances you wouldn't. Couches and chairs you can clean; forget mattresses. The most critical thing is to GET THE FLOOD WATER OUT. Take the pieces outside on the driveway; use a garden hose and just flood the with clean water. You can use a solution of all purpose cleaner with some bleach added to scrub the upholstery - then flood them with water to rinse and let them dry - several days to maybe a week depending on how much padding. The yard was a mess, so we salvaged some rugs by putting them on the roof (if the pitch is not too steep), hosing them, using a rug shampoo machine, rinsing and letting them dry for several days. Any hardwood furniture - rinse off the surface and set them aside to dry. This may take several weeks or several months. Let the wood dry out before you try to open drawers. Anything small enough to fit in a washing machine, wash it. With appliances and tools, we let them dry out and used alot of WD-40. Most everything worked. These may sound like extreme measures, but this is an extreme situation for flood victims. You have nothing more to lose, but it's possible to save a great many things.

As we continue to see graphic pictures of more flooding and the aftermath of receding water, let's take a long, hard look at our own preparation plans. We all have one, right? Many residents of Cedar Rapids were located far enough from the river that they were not in a designated flood zone, and consequently did not have flood insurance. The most crucial point is EVERYONE LIVES IN A FLOOD ZONE. If you think you don't, you just haven't been flooded yet. The chief reason for changing flood patterns in urban areas is development - not just houses, but shopping centers and malls with huge parking lots and paved streets.There is just simply less ground to absorb water and much more run-off. Compared to the hefty price you pay for homeowner's insurance, flood insurance is only a small percentage. In addition, your National Flood Insurance Policy will pay you (up to $1,000) for costs you incur to protect your home from flood damage including sandbags , Bob's Bagger, plastic sheeting, moving furnishings to safety (higher ground), etc. On your policy, look for Coverage C. - Other Coverages - 2. Loss Avoidance Measures. Even if you do already have flood insurance, the last thing you want to do is live through a flood. Some things can be replaced, but many things cannot, and the emotional toll lingers for years.

The flood waters are rolling on. They don't call it the Mighty Mississippi for nothing. The sandbagging brigades continue. Where waters have receded, homeowners are trying to return. I don't envy them. I know what they'll find. Been there; done that. This is a lesson for everyone in the necessity of being prepared. Here in Florida, we frequently speak of being prepared for an annual hurricane season - whether to protect your property from storm damage or the readiness to evacuate if it comes to that or both. River flooding is much like hurricane flooding in that you know it's coming and have some time to get potection measures in place. Tornadoes are another story, but they are a really!!! good reason to have a weather radio. The folks at NOAA do a wonderful job. If conditions are favorable or something is sighted, your radio alarm will be going off in less than 1 minute. This is a must if you want to have even minimal control. Mother Nature only allows you a small window. You need to take every advantage you can.

Right now floods are hammering the Midwest and moving south along the Mississippi River. Evey day I see sandbags being slowly and laboriously filled - one person (one hand holds the bag, one hand shovels) or two people (one holds the bag, one shovels). Automated sandbag filling machines are great if you're a large city and want to make a sizable investment - plus a storage facility to keep the sand dry. They only work well with dry sand. Better choice is Bob's Bagger - simple, efficient and low-cost. Works with wet or dry sand or dirt or even mud. Multiply filled sandbag output many times. Used by homeowners, public works and emergency management departments.

This morning I saw a huge commercial hog farm underwater in Iowa. I hope they were able to evacuate the animals. A lot of corn fields are underwater, too. Such are the hazards of growing corn for fuel. At this rate, we won't be able to afford a box of corn flakes.

...I'm Robert Payne, the owner of Diverse Specialties, and this is my outlet to discuss various issues, both related to the industry and outside the industry also. This is my first post on the blog, and all others will appear above this one.