Hurricane Irene Brings Flooding to East Coast

NYP-Corp is a leading manufacturer and distributor of emergency sandbags and we are constantly looking for better ways to serve and protect communities from flood conditions. We even created a hurricane tracking page on NYP’s main site to help our customers stay better informed.

With Hurricane Irene churning her way up the East Coast of the United States, coastal flooding is a concern. Even if Irene fails to make landfall, tidal flooding  and the storm surge will be a serious problem. Residents of east coast cities like Atlantic Beach and Wilmington have not forgotten that storm surge from a hurricane can easily reach as high as 10 feet. North Carolina’s Outer Banks are already being evacuated as the storm approaches.

Cities as far north as Virginia Beach and Baltimore could feel the effects of the massive storm. Flash flooding is a danger throughout the area as the storm is expected to produce large amounts of rainfall. Though Irene is unlikely to make landfall south of North Carolina, even cities in South Carolina such as Charleston and Myrtle Beach should be prepared. Heavy rainfall will affect most of these areas. As seen with previous hurricanes, the devastating effects of the storm can last for weeks after it passes through the area.

NYP Corp has millions of sandbags ready to go that can protect your home, business, property and valuables from flooding. Whether you are in an area that might face a strong storm surge or a location that will see rivers rising above flood stage after Irene passes through, NYP Corp can help you prepare for the dangerous flood waters the storm will bring.

When you use emergency sand bags for flood protection, it is important to handle the bags correctly to avoid injury. Anyone assisting in building the dike should have the strength to handle the heavy sand bags without excessive straining. Bags should be lifted using the legs rather than the back and, when passed from one person to the next, they should be handed over gently and not tossed.

When you build your dike, be sure it runs parallel to the flow of water. Bags should be layered as bricks are, with the alternating layers offset by a half bag. For flooding of more than one foot, the dike should be shaped like a pyramid with the bottom row several bags thick. Once stacked, the bags should be covered with sheets of plastic anchored with more sandbags. After the flood, be sure to dispose of the sand properly. Sand that has been exposed to flood waters is not safe to use where it might come into contact with people.

Tags: coastal flooding, flood protection, flooding, sandbags for flood protection

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 25th, 2011 at 2:14 pm and is filed under Flood Protection, NYP-Corp News, Sandbags.