Assessing Property Damage and Exposure Hazards Caused by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas

Last week a massive Category-5 hurricane decimated parts of the Bahamas. Hurricane Dorian brought 185 mph wind, heavy rain and a historic storm surge that resulted in fatalities and massive flooding in the northern Bahama Islands. Early estimates list over 13,000 homes and businesses destroyed and many others damaged. On some islands, approximately 45% of the homes have been categorized as severely damaged or completely destroyed.
 
In the hurricane’s aftermath, many areas are still without electricity as people have begun to assess the damage to homes, schools, hospitals, churches and businesses. As time has progressed, it’s important that residents recognize that mold will have begun to grow in less than 48 hours on many water damaged building materials, furnishings and personal belongings that remained wet. While some nonporous materials can be cleaned and salvaged, most porous materials will need to be discarded. Other exposure concerns include bacteria, sewage and chemical hazards that entered properties with the flood waters. As cleanup activities get underway, asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paints also need to be handled safely.
 
“As experts in hurricane damage and the many potential environmental hazards left behind, the building science and environmental consultants from Zimmetry Environmental are available to assist the residents, business owners and agencies of the Bahamas,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Having helped countless businesses and institutions rebuild after Hurricanes Maria, Irma and many others over the years, our staff from Puerto Rico is available to put their extensive knowledge to work helping to assess the damage and ensure demolition, repair and rebuilding activities are done safely. For business owners and property managers, these services can be instrumental in helping to file comprehensive insurance claims that allow properties to be thoroughly repaired and reopened without the damaged buildings becoming a health and safety hazard for the public, workers or future building occupants.”
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their building science and indoor environmental quality services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality (IAQ), asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail