Free Advice on Reducing Damage From Future Disasters

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Specialists are on hand at Lowe’s home improvement stores in Downingtown, Lebanon, Philadelphia, and Reading today through Monday to provide information about ways to rebuild or remodel that can reduce the risk of damages from future disasters.

They also are there to answer questions about FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.

Rebuilding or repairing a home after a disaster can be a daunting task – but, with the right information, homeowners can build back safer, smarter and stronger.

FEMA specialists are available in Chester, Lebanon, Philadelphia, and Berks counties to provide that information from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, October 27 through Monday, October 31, at the following Lowe’s:

• 1250 Cornerstone Blvd, Downingtown, PA 19335 
• 1755 Quentin Rd., Lebanon, PA 17042 
• 1500 N. 50th St., Philadelphia, PA 19131 
• 500 Madison Ave., Reading, PA 19605

The outreach teams suggest mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazards such as flooding and high winds. They answer questions about FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and explain how best to clean up mold, mildew and bacteria, common problems after flooding. They also offer tips on how to protect structures from future flooding, including information about relocating electrical panels, washers, dryers, and heating and cooling equipment to avoid water damage.

By taking precautions after flooding, residents can safely reoccupy damaged buildings. Spending a few dollars today on mitigation measures can save lives and prevent damages in the thousands of dollars in the future.

Additional help is available at the following websites:

• www.floodsmart.gov - Information regarding FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/build_safer.shtm - Low-cost measures to reduce risk from natural disasters, building and retrofitting tips, and how to build a safe room. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/mitigation.shtm - Information and resources for making your property less susceptible to future losses. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/community_build_safer.shtm - Safer building design and construction for design professionals, home installers, surveyors and state and local officials. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/after.shtm - Resources for different phases of recovering and rebuilding. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/smart_strong.shtm - Information and guidance on building safer.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
 

For more information on Pennsylvania’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov and www.pema.state.pa.us.