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Minimize the Impact of Spring Storms on Schools

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With springtime approaching, it’s important that facility managers minimize the impact of spring storms on schools.  This article (from MO School Plant Manager) addresses several ways to prepare for storms.

It’s been said that the changing of the seasons from winter to spring is an unhappy time for Mother Nature, which explains her angry outbursts of strong springtime storms. I’m certain that meteorologists can provide a better reason for why we experience such powerful storms in the spring, yet regardless of their cause, we need to prepare for them.

Tornados can casuse extensive damage, with little notice

Throughout the Midwest, high intensity spring storms can pop-up with little notice, damaging buildings and interrupting work and classes. These storms often produce lightning (fire and electrocution risk), high winds and tornados (potentially breaking windows and causing structural damage), hail (roofing and window damage), and heavy rains (water intrusion). All of these weather events necessitate advanced planning in order to keep students safe, minimize damage, and return the structure and students back to normal schedules quickly.  As these photos show, the damage can be quick and extensive – often requiring professional restoration and rebuilding assistance.  We offer these tips to help prepare for the violent storms of the season.

WIND DAMAGE

Whether caused by an intense storm or a tornado, wind damage can be extensive. We have found most school structures to be well-constructed, with most damage being limited to roofs and windows. It’s important to secure any damaged buildings from the elements as soon as this can be accomplished safely (through board up and/or tarping) – limiting the potential for additional water intrusion.

Securing a building which experienced tornado damage

In a recent tornado restoration project we handled, the majority of the school’s windows on the windward side were blown in; while most on the leeward side were spared (this EF3 tornado had winds of about 135 MPH). The roof remained intact, and there was little water intrusion in the building. From a safety standpoint, it was important for us to vacuum, scrub and wipe down the entire structure and all contents in the affected rooms, as glass slivers had been blown throughout. Once the contents were cleaned, we packed them in boxes for the students and teachers, providing a visual assurance that the contents were safe to use.

The situation was different in Joplin, where an EF5 tornado ripped through the community. With winds in excess of 225 MPH, little survived in the main storm path – more than 2000 buildings were destroyed (including schools, fire departments and medical facilities). While few buildings will survive a direct hit from an EF5 tornado, precautions still matter to those on the fringe of the storm path, with these buildings experiencing differing levels of damage, from window and roof damage, to extensive structural damage.

Many facilities on the fringe of the Joplin tornado path experienced significant damage. Repair/rebuilding efforts are currently underway.

It’s important to prepare your school grounds for high winds by removing and securing any items (outside tables, chairs, patio umbrellas, playground equipment, etc.) that could become airborne.  Be sure to secure windows and doors, as once the wind gets inside buildings, extensive damage can result.

WATER DAMAGE

Water can intrude into buildings through a number of ways – either through the roof (potentially due to roof damage or blocked gutters), through the foundation with ground flooding, or even from inside the building through broken pipes.  In all of these cases, it’s important to “moisture map” the entire affected areas, so a proper drying plan can be developed.

Groundwater runoff deposited mud and destroyed contents in this storage area.

The source of the water also plays a huge role in the restoration efforts – there are more restoration options available for clean water losses (“category I” – from freshwater plumbing pipes), than are available for groundwater intrusion or sewage losses (“category III”). In the former case, quickly drying the structure and contents can save them. In the latter case, any porous materials should be discarded, and all other objects disinfected, due to health risks.

Improper drying in th epast allowed microbial growth

Inadequate drying can result in microbial growth – so it’s important to utilize knowledgeable contractors. Most schools have hardwood gym floors, which require special care and attention in the case of a water loss.  These floors are extremely expensive to build or repair, and require a skilled restoration professional to save them if they get saturated.

Wood gym floors require specialized expertise to dry properly

Prepare for water intrusions by checking the exterior drainage around your facilities.  If water accumulates at your foundation, it’s just a matter of time before it intrudes into the building. If the source is run-off, you may need to regrade the area to divert water from the foundation. Perhaps it’s just a downspout that needs to be reattached – whatever of the reason, pooled water at foundations will eventually cause problems.  Additionally, check if blown winter debris has blocked or slowed gutters. This can result in pooled water on flat roofs, which over time, can intrude into the buildings. Additionally, since the water will overflow blocked gutters, the water will end up at the building foundation, causing additional problems already mentioned.

Finally, be certain that disaster plans are maintained and rehearsed. While these plans are often written and implemented by the school administration, facility managers should be familiar with the plans and know how they can assist when needed. Preparation is an interesting topic from a management perspective. We realize that proper preparation can save lives, time and money if t he planned-for event happens.  Additionally, we need to allocate time and resources to where we expect the best return. Since we know that springtime storms are inevitable, is anything keeping you from planning for them?

By:  Scott VanDover, CR

Scott VanDover is Vice-President of Restoration Services at Woodard Cleaning and Restoration. Mr. VanDover has 32 years of experience in disaster restoration and is a Certified Restorer, recognized by the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration. He is the past president of The National Institute of Disaster Restoration and an instructor for Continuing Education approved by the Missouri Department of  Insurance, and by the Missouri Real Estate Commission. Woodard offers catastrophe response services throughout Missouri and surrounding states (available 24/7), and assists with disaster plan consultation.

This article was reprinted from Missouri School Plant Manager, Spring 2011, courtesy of PTR Communications Inc.

Woodard Catastrophe Response Services – Flood Damage and Tornado Damage

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Lately we’ve blogged about a number of large loss restoration and disaster cleanup projects that Woodard Catastrophe Response has been handling.  Since then, we’ve fielded several questions about how Woodard handled restoration efforts for both the flood damage in Metropolis and the tornado damage in Joplin at essentially the same time.  This blog addresses that question and provide a bit more information about how Woodard responds to large loss and catastrophic events.

 

We initially secured the flood damage and reconstruction project for a complex of seven apartment buildings in Metropolis, IL.  This complex was inundated when the Ohio River crested, leaving these buildings anywhere from 1-3’ under water.  We responded with our large loss trailer, equipment and catastrophe response team, and were on-site before the flood water began to recede.  We staged our equipment at flood’s edge, and proceeded to develop our daily plans, addressing the buildings that were on higher ground first, and then followed the receding flood water down to the other buildings over the next several days. 

 

Flood water is known in the restoration industry as a “Category III Loss” – meaning that it’s viewed as “grossly unsanitary,” and most porous items need to be disposed of – rather than cleaned and restored.  During this flood damage cleanup, our technicians moved resident’s contents (assisting them with disposal, where necessary), then we extracted water, removed damp drywall, flooring, insulation and other contaminated items.  We cleaned and sanitized the buildings prior to structural drying.  Once clean and dry, we began the reconstruction efforts – insulating walls, hanging drywall, replacing cabinets and flooring, repairing electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and painting.

 

At about this time, the killer tornado struck Joplin, MO.  As our remediation efforts were nearly complete in Metropolis, we packed up our “Catastrophe Response Trailer” and moved our command center with some of our crews to assist with tornado damage restoration at a nursing home that was hit by the tornado.  From a logistical standpoint, since our trailer is preloaded with all of the supplies needed to begin large loss projects, we immediately sent our “shopping list” ahead to our other crews being dispatched to Joplin, who brought the supplies needed to restock our catastrophe response trailer and begin the project (remember that Joplin lost several of the “Home Depot-like” stores in the tornado, thus supplies are not available locally).  This restocking-on-the-fly is a difficult tactic for smaller, less organized restoration companies, but a tactic that Woodard excels at.

 

Once on the ground in Joplin, we quickly analyzed the situation and drew up our daily work plans to secure the buildings and to begin tornado damage cleanup and structural repairs.

 

Several weeks later, our trailer is now back in St. Louis, as are most of our technicians.  The flood damage rebuilding efforts in Metropolis are nearing completion, with residents already returning to the buildings on higher elevation.   The tornado damage at the nursing home in Joplin will require a longer rebuilding effort, yet the work is well underway.

 

Thanks for your interest in our blogs – we are excited that many insurance adjusters (responsible for insurance repair) are now following our work through this forum!

(By Scott VanDover, CR)