Charles Taylor’s Post

Hurricane Milton: when disaster preparedness means just getting out of the way. US Forecasters are suggesting this is a once in a century storm, with sustained winds of over 180mph / 290kph. https://lnkd.in/gw7tBbNN While emergency managers will do all that they can to protect people and help with recovery, these sorts of conditions are life-threatening to anyone. All our best wishes to everyone in the area for a successful and safe evacuation.

Good luck my LinkedIn community in Florida: more info on the link: Update: Hurricane Warning issued October 9 at 8:09AM EDT by NWS Tampa Bay Ruskin FL Coastal Hillsborough * LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Tampa - Apollo Beach - Westchase * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Equivalent Cat 2 Hurricane force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 80-100 mph with gusts to 120 mph - Window for Tropical Storm force winds: early this evening until Thursday afternoon - Window for Hurricane force winds: early this evening until Thursday morning - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind greater than 110 mph - The wind threat has increased from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for extreme wind of equivalent CAT 3 hurricane force or higher. - PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be urgently completed. Prepare for catastrophic wind damage. - ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Devastating to Catastrophic - Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Information continues to emerge about the rebuilding process following the LA fires. As I shared in an earlier post, hazardous material soil cleanup is a critical issue that will ultimately drive the rebuilding timeline. Here is a link to the 1/23/25 Pacific Palisades Community Meeting. Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella provides a clear explanation of the process for returning builds or soil to residents following cleanup efforts by LA City, LA County, the EPA, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Cleanup will be offered at no cost to residents who “opt-in” and follow the two-phase process. Residents may also “opt-out” and pursue remediation efforts independently or through their insurer. Pestrella, with 38 years of experience, explained the process concisely: • Phase 1: Toxic substance removal, estimated to take 3–6 months. • Phase 2: Debris removal, estimated to take 18 months. At the end of this process, residents will receive an EPA sign-off, and most sites will be returned as buildable pads, often requiring the removal of about 6 inches of topsoil. Importantly, this cleanup process is designed to run concurrently with building permit applications. The goal is for the cleanup process to align with the permit approval timeline, allowing residents to begin rebuilding as soon as permits are issued. The meeting is about three hours long. Key timestamps: • Mark Pestrella briefing: Minute 1:31:22 • Phase 1 toxic cleanup: Minute 1:41:12 • Phase 2 debris removal: Minute 1:44:20 • LADWP underground power line discussion with CM Traci Park: Minute 1:47:00 • Army Corps of Engineers guidance with Colonel Eric Swenson: Minute 1:55 For residents with standing homes, EPA clearance for toxic substances could take up to 18 months after all residents are cleared. Here’s the full meeting video: https://lnkd.in/gN7u5y3r Duration estimates can change rapidly, so check frequently with local response teams for updates. Our team will continue working to keep the community informed.

Is your commercial roof ready to weather storms this summer? It's crucial to ensure your roof is up to the challenge of protecting your business. From heavy rains to gusty winds, make sure your roofing system is prepared to stand strong against nature's forces. Schedule a roof inspection today and fortify your commercial property for the upcoming summer storms! #commercialroofing #roofrepairs

🌲🔥 Protect What Matters Most🔥🌲 Ensure your home is safe from wildfires this summer, claim your free property survey and quote from Prodigy Fire Solutions to see how we can make change for you. 🔗 Learn more at Prodigy Fire Solutions. #FirePrevention #WildfireSafety #FreeSurvey

https://lnkd.in/eUBTBMA4 Discover exactly how DuraShield Getting brings satisfaction to house owners with storm-damaged roofings in our latest article," From Crisis to Comfort: DuraShield Contracting's Solutions for Storm-Damaged Roofs." Learn more about the influence of storm damages on roofings, why DuraShield Contracting is your trusted expert for these scenarios, the thorough restoration process they adhere to, their commitment to high quality products and skilled workmanship, and hear straight from satisfied customers whose comfort and safety were recovered by DuraShield Contracting. If you're encountering roof covering damages after a storm, this article is a must-read for understanding just how DuraShield Contracting can assist you browse with the dilemma and bring back convenience to your home.

One of the biggest issues I notice as an inspector is the effect that monsoon season can have on the home. Our heavy storms can cause unexpected issues that wreak havoc on a home's structure and foundation. Here's three questions to ask every time it rains: - Does rainwater flow toward the house? Proper drainage would lead water out towards the street! - Are there spots near your foundation where water collects? - Can you see water coming in anywhere around the house? Pay special attention to doors and windows! At Desert Oasis, we look for evidence of this and more every time we inspect a house, rain or shine, so you can start your next chapter with confidence. Looking to purchase a house this summer? Book an inspection with us today: https://lnkd.in/dGpmHJ8x

Why Large Trees Near Your Home Require Special Attention Trees add beauty and shade to your property, but they can also pose potential risks if they’re too close to your home. During this inspection, we noted large trees near the structure. Overhanging branches or root systems can cause damage to the roof, foundation, and gutters, or even create safety hazards during storms. At Chiefs Inspection Services, we assess these factors to help you protect your property from future issues. 📍 Serving Stockbridge, GA, and surrounding areas. 📞 Schedule your detailed home inspection today!

🌩️🚗 Denver's Wild Weather Alert! 🚗🌩️ Yesterday’s hailstorm hit Denver hard, with some hailstones reaching the size of golf balls! 🌧️⛳ People woke up to a much wetter, morning commute and widespread damage. Every single car in some complexes has damage including broken side mirrors, and antennas- and you can imagine what it has done to the roofs! Safety first! 🛡️⚠️ At Assess Building Consultants, we’re here to help you with engineers and general contractors for all your building consulting needs. Our experts are ready to assess the damage and provide you with an accurate assessment on causation analysis, weather analysis, and estimatics. Stay safe and reach out if you need any assistance! 💬📞 #DenverHailStorm #WeatherAlert #SafetyFirst #AssessBuildingConsultants #PropertyDamage

https://lnkd.in/g9ddjRZv Fire Hydrants Reportedly Dry Amid Fires! As fires ravage Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas, reports are surfacing that fire hydrants in many areas are without water. This is a staggering failure—one that demands immediate answers from Janisse Quiñones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). How is it possible that in fire-prone Los Angeles, hydrants—our first line of defense—are dry when they’re needed most? Homes are being reduced to ash, not because firefighters lack skill or bravery, but because there’s no water to fight the flames. Questions LADWP Must Answer: Why are reservoirs like Santa Ynez and Upper Stone Canyon not supplying adequate water to hydrants? Were maintenance or refill protocols ignored ahead of wildfire season? What contingency plans were in place for such an emergency? This is not just an oversight—it’s a catastrophic failure of leadership. Families are losing everything, and the city deserves immediate transparency and action. https://lnkd.in/gTSTD2Fv