With the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season beginning on June 1st, it’s time for National Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 25th through the 31st. While there is never a shortage of annual checklists and warnings about how to be ready for impending disaster; it always bears repeating.
The National Weather Service provides this list of items for a basic disaster supply kit:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
As seawall repair and construction specialists, we are also focused on waterfront integrity. During hurricane season coastline conditions can change rapidly. Storm surges cause erosion and saltwater is notoriously destructive. It is your property’s seawall that is your line of defense offering protection from direct and collateral damage.
To that end we recommend you add an inspection of your seawall to your list of hurricane preparedness steps. The stability of any seawall is dependent upon many variables including:
- Wall height
- Sheet pile length and strength
- Wale system
- Backfill
- Foundation soil
Depending on the condition of your seawall, it is possible to make repairs to it to keep the water at bay and extend the seawall’s life.
Some techniques that can be employed in seawall repair include:
- Adding well point drainage systems
- Secondary anchors
- New cap and tie backs and grouting joints
We love everything outdoors and waterfront. But we consider it our responsibility to help property owners protect everything from their boat lifts to their docks and make it through the harsh hurricane season unscathed and in relative harmony with Mother Nature. To learn more about our seawall construction and inspection services, please call (727) 942-3111!