Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Clean Up Safely After Hurricane Irene

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health offers these tips to help you and your family stay safe when cleaning up after Hurricane Irene.

• First turn off the electricity in all flooded rooms! 
• Remove all water by mopping, pumping, wet vacuuming or clearing drains.

Clean and dry thoroughly:

• All wet light fixtures (Don’t turn the electricity back on until they are dry!)

Throw out:

• All ceiling tiles, paper products, baseboards, and insulation that were damaged by water. 
• All drywall up to four feet above the floodwater line. 
• Furniture that has absorbed water (like mattresses, sofas, and upholstered chairs). 
• Medicines and foods that touched floodwater. 
• All perishable foods that have not been refrigerated for more than six hours. 
• Any frozen foods that have thawed

Wet vacuum, shampoo and air-dry:

• Carpets

Wash with soap and water, wipe with a disinfectant, and dry:

• Furniture that doesn’t absorb water (like wooden chairs and cabinets) 
• All contaminated floors, counters, and other surfaces 
• All cooking and eating utensils that were touched or splashed by floodwater 
• Foam rubber items

Wipe with a disinfectant or wash in a dishwasher in hot water:

• Children’s toys (Don’t let children play with toys until they have been cleaned and disinfected!)

Wipe twice with a disinfectant, then air dry:

• Wood and metal studs 
• Open windows and doors while cleaning and for at least 24 hours after cleaning. This will help surfaces to dry more quickly, and will help prevent mold. If you can, use fans or dehumidifiers to help dry things.

For more information about cleaning up after a flood, check out the Philadelphia Department of Public Health's Health Bulletin or call the Health Department’s Environmental Engineering Section Monday - Friday (8 am - 4:30 pm) at 215-685-7342.

Mayor Nutter Encourages Citizens to Prepare for Hurricane Irene

Video of the Mayor's Press Briefing Regarding Hurricane Irene - August 26

The City of Philadelphia continues to prepare for Hurricane Irene and its potential impact on Philadelphia. The Emergency Operations Center will open on Saturday, August 27 at 6 p.m. to monitor the storm and coordinate the City’s response and recovery activities. The City will not issue an evacuation order; however, citizens should evacuate if they are in a potentially dangerous situation and proceed to a City shelter or other safe location.  The City’s 311 Call Center is currently open 24-hours through Monday, August 29. SEPTA will suspend all transit services beginning at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday.  All City park and recreation centers will close at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

“This is a dangerous storm, and I want to urge our residents to exercise extreme caution,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Residents and businesses in low lying areas should prepare immediately. If you need to evacuate, please leave as quickly as possible for your own safety.”

The National Weather Service is forecasting that Irene will be a Category One hurricane when it arrives along the coast of New Jersey. As a result, Philadelphia can expect:

• Rainfall amounts between six and nine inches. 
• Sustained winds 50 - 60 mph with gusts reaching 70 mph. 
• Rain could start as early as tonight ahead of the hurricane. 
• Heavy rains could affect Philadelphia through Sunday. 
• Heavy winds could affect the city Saturday night into Sunday. High winds may continue after the storm passes. The highest winds will be felt Sunday afternoon. 
• Flooding of creeks and streams will likely begin on Saturday night.  
• Significant localized flooding on roadways, flooding of streams, and flooding along the Schuylkill River.

Philadelphia has many flood prone areas, including but not limited to:

• Cobbs Creek and the marsh lands in the southwest sector of the City; 
• Other City creeks & streams including Pennypack, Poquessing, Tacony, Frankford, and Wissahickon Creeks; 
• Main Street Manayunk;  
• Portions of the Philadelphia Naval Base; 
• Delaware River which is usually first observed along Delaware Ave & Ben Franklin Bridge; 
• In the Northeast where Linden Avenue meets the Delaware; and  
• Kelly and Lincoln Drives.

If you live in an area with a history of flooding, plan now to stay with family or friends whose homes are not prone to flooding for the length of this storm and until the flooding threat subsides.

The City will open shelter operations on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the following locations:

• Bartram High School, 2401 S. 67th Street 
• Lincoln High School, 3201 Ryan Avenue 
• Roxborough High School, 6498 Ridge Avenue

Sustained tropical storm force winds could cause downed trees, downed power lines, as well as the disruption of phone and cable service.

If a Power Outage Occurs:

• Keep a battery-operated radio tuned to local news for updates. 
• Disconnect or turn off all appliances that would otherwise go on automatically when the power comes back on. If several appliances start up at once, they could overload the circuits. 
• To prevent food spoilage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.  
• Never touch or go near downed power lines.

Prior to the storm, Liam O’Keefe, Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management, encourages residents to check on loved ones and neighbors, especially seniors and those with special needs, who may need special assistance or care during the storm. Also make sure you have the necessary supplies for a Shelter-in-Place Kit or an evacuation Go Bag.

A Few Items to include:

• Non-perishable food like granola bars and energy bars 
• If you use canned foods, make sure you have a manual can opener.  
• Have a supply of bottled water for everyone in your home. 
• A battery-powered radio with extra batteries 
• Flashlights with extra batteries 
• First-aid kit 
• If you take medication, make sure you have an adequate supply for the next several days.

A complete list of emergency supplies can be found on the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management’s website, www.phila.gov/ready. Remember to stock supplies for everyone in your household including your pets.

Do not travel, unless it is absolutely necessary or an evacuation order is called.

• Do not attempt to walk across flood water more than knee deep. 
• Never drive through flooded roadways. Just two feet of moving water can sweep a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) off the road.

While Philadelphia’s 311 call center will be operational 24 hours a day through Monday, August 29, there are several ways to stay updated on the latest storm and emergency information.

• Stay tuned to local news for updates. 
• Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region’s emergency text and email alert system at www.phila.gov/ready or texting PHILA to 411911 from your cell phone.  Future updates on flooding will be sent to the Weather Warnings groups and the River - Schuylkill at Philadelphia groups. 
• Monitor the National Weather Service forecasts at http://weather.gov/phi    
• Check Channel 64, the City of Philadelphia’s Government Access Channel

For additional information on emergency preparedness or for the latest storm information from the City of Philadelphia, visit www.phila.gov/ready.

Hurricane Irene

 

Mayor Michael Nutter briefs the press on the possible impact of Hurricane Irene and urges all Philadelphians to begin preparing now for this weekend's storm. 

See the Prepare for Hurricane Irene post for the steps that you should take to protect yourself, your family and your property.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Prepare for Hurricane Irene

With the threat of Hurricane Irene impacting Philadelphia, the following are a few measures you should take to prepare for a hurricane.

Prepare for High Winds:

• Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Bring outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and other loose items, inside the house or tie them down securely.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.

Prepare for Flooding:

• Know your area's flood risk and consider flood insurance. To estimate your flood risk,  flood insurance premium and for information on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419.
• Fill out a Household Emergency Plan containing important contacts for you and your family in the event of any emergency.
• Plan now to stay with friends or relatives if you live in a flood prone area, like Manayunk or Eastwick, and need to evacuate. This should be a part of your Household Emergency Plan.
• Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region’s emergency text and email alert system, by logging on to www.readynotifypa.org, by texting PHILA to 411911 or by scanning the code below. (The alerts are free but standard text messaging rates may apply.) 

• Have emergency supplies, such as a Shelter-in-Place Kit, and be sure to include a portable radio with extra batteries to stay tuned to local news for emergency alerts.
• Prepare a Go Bag of emergency supplies that you can grab in case you need to evacuate your home in a hurry. 
• Learn the safest route to higher ground from your home or place of business in case you have to evacuate. This should be part of your Household Emergency Plan.  
• If you live in a flood-susceptible area, keep materials, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

Prepare for Disruptions in Utility Service:

• Know the phone numbers of your service providers.
• PECO Energy Customer Service: 1-800-494-400
• PECO Energy Emergency Hotline: 1-800-841-4141
• Philadelphia Water Department (PWD): 215-685-6300
• Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW): 215-235-1212
• If you lose phone service, use a cell phone to report the outage to your service provider.
• You could also lose phone service during a power outage if your phone requires an electrical outlet to work. It is a good idea to have a phone that does not rely on electricity, and just plugs into a phone jack.
• Have a supply of bottled water for everyone in your household, in the event that you lose water service.
• Make sure you have working flashlights with extra batteries in your Go Bag and Shelter-in-Place Kit.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has additional tips for Protecting Your Property or Business from Disaster. For more information on how to prepare for severe weather, visit the Severe Weather page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management website. Click on the following links for information on Sheltering-in-Place or Evacuating with a Go Bag.

Flash Flood Watch: Be Prepared for Flooding

With a Flash Flood Watch in effect until 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning (August 20), make sure you are prepared and know what to do in the event of flooding.

Prepare for Flooding:

• Know your area's flood risk. To estimate your flood risk and flood insurance premium, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419. 
• Make an itemized list of personal property, including furnishings, clothing, and valuables. 
• Fill out a Household Emergency Plan containing important contacts for you and your family in the event of any emergency. 
• Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region’s emergency text and email alert system, by logging on to www.readynotifypa.org, by texting PHILA to 411911 or by scanning the code below. (The alerts are free but standard text messaging rates may apply.)

• Prepare a Go Bag that you can grab in case you need to evacuate your home in a hurry.   
• Learn the safest route to higher ground from your home or place of business to stay in case you have to evacuate. This should be part of your Household Emergency Plan.   
• If you live in a flood-susceptible area, keep materials, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home. 
• Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation appears necessary. Do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area, or you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber-soled shoes or boots and rubber gloves.  
• Board up windows or protect them with storm shutters or tape (to prevent flying glass).  
• Bring outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and other loose items, inside the house or tie them down securely.
• Consider flood insurance. Protection against loss due to floods is not covered under most homeowner's insurance policies. Flood insurance is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at www.floodsmart.gov or 1-800-427-2419.

During a Flood:

• Keep a battery-operated AM/FM radio tuned to a local station and follow emergency instructions. 
• If you're caught inside by rising waters, move to a higher floor. Take warm clothing, a flashlight, and portable radio with you. Wait for help. Do NOT try to swim to safety.  
• If it is save and you need to evacuate, take your Go Bag with you. 
• When outside, remember: floods are deceptive. Try to avoid flooded areas, and do not attempt to walk across flood water more than knee deep. Just six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.  
• Never drive through flooded roadways. Just two feet of moving water can sweep a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) off the road.

If it is Safe to Evacuate by Car:

• Take your Go Bag with you. 
• Avoid flooded roadways. Parts of the road may already be washed out, and you could become stranded or trapped.  
• If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible. Floodwater can rise rapidly and sweep a car (and its occupants) away.

Additional flooding tips, such as how to recover from a flood, can be found on the Floods page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management's website. Click on the following links for a list of Shelter-in-Place or Go Bag supplies.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Conserve Water This Summer

It is important to conserve water during the summer months because there is a greater demand. Follow these easy steps to reduce your use:

• Repair leaky toilets and faucets. Close your taps tightly.
• Install low-flow shower heads. They save thousands of gallons of water every year.
• Save two to four gallons of water by shutting off the faucet while shaving. Save one to two gallons by shutting off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
• Take short showers – a bath uses more water. If you must take baths, fill the tub only half way.
• Make sure your washing machines and dishwashers are full before you run them.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Prepare for Utility Disruptions

Power outages and disruptions of utility services can happen for various reasons, such as emergencies, severe weather, downed trees or power lines. They often happen during the summer months due to an increased demand as the temperature rises. Prepare yourself with the following tips and download our Disruption of Utility Service flier and When the Lights Go Out flier.

If You Lose Phone Service:

• Use your cell phone, or borrow one from a friend or neighbor, and call your provider to report the outage.
• You could lose phone service during a power outage if your phone requires an electrical outlet to work. It is a good idea to have a phone that does not rely on electricity, and just plugs into a phone jack.

If You Smell Gas:

• DO NOT smoke or light lighters or matches. If the odor is very strong, do not use your phone or operate any light switches or electrical devices – any spark could cause a fire.
• Open windows.
• Evacuate immediately, then call 9-1-1.

Water and Sewer-Related Problems:

• Always have a supply of bottled water in the house.
• If you see water coming up from the ground or road, or suspect a water main break, call the Philadelphia Water Department at 215-685-6300. Be ready to provide the following information on the phone: a description of the condition, what is being affected (street, basement, subway), the exact location of the problem, and your name, address and telephone number.
• If you have no water or very low water pressure, call the Water Department at 215-685-6300.
• If there is a concern about drinking water quality, officials will tell you what actions to take.

If There is a Power Outage:

• Call your power provider immediately to report the outage.
• PECO Energy Customer Service: 1-800-494-4000.
• PECO Energy Emergency hotline: 1-800-841-4141.
• Disconnect or turn off all appliances that would otherwise go on automatically when the power comes back on. If several appliances start up at once, they could overload the circuits.
• To prevent food spoilage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Each time the door is opened, heat enters and speeds up the thawing process.
• Stay indoors, if possible.
• Never touch or go near downed power lines.
• Do not burn charcoal indoors, and do not use your kitchen gas range or stove to heat rooms. These might cause a fire or a hazardous smoke condition.
• Do not use generators indoors. They can create a deadly carbon monoxide buildup.
• Keep a battery-operated radio tuned to KYW 1060 AM for updates.

For more information on how to prepare for emergencies, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management's website, www.phila.gov/ready. 

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Conserve Energy This Summer

Typically, energy usage spikes in the summer with so many using air conditioners to keep cool. High energy usage can cause power outages and increased energy bills. Here are a few simple tips from the Pennsylvania Utility Commission on how to stay cool and conserve energy in your home:

• Only use the air conditioner when you are home. 
• Clean or change your air conditioner filter at least once a month. 
• Set your air conditioner's thermostat to no lower than 78F.  
• Keep drapes closed and shades drawn to shield the suns heat. 
• Use clothes dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or late evening, not in the heat of the day. 
• Use a microwave instead of a conventional range or oven. 
• Relax in rooms that do not receive direct sunlight or stay on the lowest floor of your home. 
• Air leaks waste energy. Caulking and weather-stripping will help keep cool air in.

For more information on how to stay safe this summer, download the Stay Cool Guide, visit the Excessive Heat page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management website, www.phila.gov/ready, or check out the Excessive Heat Plan.