2022 Hurricane Preparedness Week and Tips to Help Prevent Damage to Homes and Buildings

For 2022, Hurricane Preparedness Week takes place from May 1^st through the 7^th. Hurricane season runs from May 15^th through November 30^th in the Eastern Pacific and from June 1^st until November 30^th in the Atlantic and Caribbean.

Hurricanes and tropical storms cause billions of dollars in damage to properties each year, primarily due to storm surge, wind damage, and flooding. This is why the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reminds everyone that lives in hurricane-prone areas to be ready for hurricane season. The agency encourages people to determine their personal hurricane risk, find out if they live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies. NOAA also suggests people think about how they will prepare their property for the upcoming hurricane season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people get their homes ready with the following suggestions:

• Clear the yard. Make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage the home. Move bikes, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks, and building materials inside or under shelter.
• Cover up windows and doors. Use storm shutters or nail pieces of plywood to the outside window frames to protect windows. This can help keep people safe from pieces of shattered glass.
• Be ready to turn off the power. If there is flooding, downed power lines or one has to leave their home, switch the power off.
• Fill clean water containers with drinking water in case the water supply is lost during the storm. People can also fill up sinks and bathtubs with water for washing.
• Check the carbon monoxide (CO) detector’s battery to help prevent CO poisoning.

“It is also important that the public recognizes that hurricanes don’t just affect people living along the coast,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Hurricanes can cause damage hundreds of miles from the shore in some cases. Property owners, managers, and tenants that do sustain storm damage to their home or business should be aware of a number of potential exposure hazards they could encounter when it is safe to assess and repair their property. Water damage or excessive humidity can allow for indoor mold growth in as short as 24 to 48 hours. Floodwaters could introduce sewage and chemicals. Many properties also still have lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials that can become aerosolized during cleanup, demolition, and rebuilding efforts if not handled properly.”   

With laboratories across the United States and Canada, EMSL Analytical identifies exposure risks to mold, lead, asbestos, sewage, chemicals, and other potential dangers associated with storm damage. EMSL also provides sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, building inspection tools, air monitoring instruments, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

To learn more about indoor environmental quality (IEQ) testing or other building science, industrial hygiene, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For access to IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.  


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail