Hurricane Season in Puerto Rico and Resources to Protect Properties and Building Occupants

Hurricane season in the Caribbean and Atlantic has begun and runs from June 1st to November 30th. For residents of Puerto Rico and the surrounding region, hurricanes and tropical storms are a part of living in the area, even though these powerful storms have caused hundreds of billions of dollars in property damage in recent years.

For the 2023 hurricane season, scientists at Colorado State University have predicted 15 named storms, including 7 hurricanes. Three of the hurricanes are forecast to be major hurricanes. With this in mind, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reminds people that live in hurricane-prone areas to be ready and prepared. NOAA encourages people to determine their personal hurricane risk, find out if they live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies.

“Every year, hurricanes cross the Caribbean so it’s imperative that people living here are prepared for when the next one strikes and to also have resources in place to be able to quickly and safely return to their homes, businesses and schools,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “This is important as there are a number of potential environmental hazards to be aware of after a storm has passed. Floodwaters and storm surge can introduce sewage and chemicals into a structure. Any water damage or excessive humidity can also allow mold to begin to grow in just a few days if it remains wet. In addition, there are many homes and building throughout the Caribbean that still contain lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials. These can become a serious hazard if they are aerosolized during cleanup, demolition and rebuilding efforts.”

To help property owners prepare for hurricanes and recover from storm damage, the building science, industrial hygiene and environmental professionals at Zimmetry offer their expertise. They have extensive experience assessing properties to mitigate potential damage and provide testing services for a wide range of chemical and microbial exposure hazards. These services are instrumental for building occupant safety, regulatory compliance, and for insurance claims to ensure damaged homes and buildings receive the comprehensive repairs required to address exposure hazards.

Several years ago, Zimmetry Environmental sponsored an educational video about preparing a home for a hurricane that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/wxoW5DbMwcE

To learn more about Zimmetry and their building science, industrial hygiene 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