The Natural Resource from Ben Meadows - July/August

Dealing with Floods

Recently, flooding has been a common topic in the news. This extensive media coverage combined with population growth and man-made changes to our landscape means flooding events seem more prevalent than ever before. EPA regulations regarding runoff pollution for roads and new construction have helped, but flooding emergencies are still responsible for the majority of damage to life and property caused by natural disasters in the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control some of the chief considerations in dealing with the impact of a flooding emergency are finding clean running water, potentially dangerous materials overflowing sewage systems, agricultural runoff and chemicals from industrial areas. Wading in flood waters can also be a source of infection or result in a variety of injuries including animal bites from snakes or other creatures. And after the flood, buildings exposed to flood waters may also pose health risks from mold and residual chemicals. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides the following guidelines for the period following a flood:

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage.
• Water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Avoid moving water.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

The question for many of us is what do you do when you know the water level is going to rise? There are some measures you can take. Sand bagging is probably the most common way to stop rising water. Filling sandbags is usually a two to four-person job with one or two people filling, one holding and one tying the bag.

Ben Meadows has a product called the GoBagger® that can speed this process up by more than five times. It changes the process to one person filling while holding the bag and three to four people tying because the bags get filled so fast! When filling sand bags time is usually a precious commodity. The GoBagger® can really help speed up the process.

Check out a demonstration of the GoBagger™ by clicking here. It’s an innovative way to help prepare for a flood emergency.

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Last month we asked this question:
Now that summer is almost here we ask—what is the primary material used to make the Stearns® Ice Rescue Suit featured online and in our catalog?

Kim from Indiana knows that the Stearns® Ice Rescue Suit is made with famous closed cell neoprene!

We're sending Kim a PMI Kershaw 5-in-1 Carabiner Tool!

Take a look at our latest catalog or use our Web site (www.benmeadows.com) for help with this month's challenge. Don't have a catalog? You can get a free copy by clicking here.

Now here's the question:
New, Neopro™ Climbing Lines have a tensile strength of how many pounds?

If you know, send us the correct answer before Aug. 14, 2010. All correct answers will be entered into a drawing. The winner will receive a PMI Kershaw 5-in-1 Carabiner Tool (a $60.00 value)! Be sure to include your name, mailing address and how best to contact you. Send your answers to: editor@benmeadows.com