{"id":744,"date":"2021-07-29T13:47:18","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T13:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jpelectricalcompany.com\/blog\/?p=744"},"modified":"2023-11-27T16:08:51","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T16:08:51","slug":"weather-related-disasters-lead-to-opportunities-lessons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jpelectricalcompany.com\/blog\/news\/weather-related-disasters-lead-to-opportunities-lessons\/","title":{"rendered":"Weather-Related Disasters Lead to Opportunities, Lessons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recent records were set for weather-related disasters, with repair costs in the multibillion-dollar range. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has kept a yearly count of floods, heatwaves, tropical storms, hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires since 1980. In terms of frequency and severity, these events have risen exponentially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, we saw unprecedented wildfires in the West, six hurricanes in the South, numerous tropical storms, tornadoes, an ice storm with hail the size of softballs, and a derecho windstorm responsible for tearing up crop fields, homes, and businesses across the Midwest. These weather-related catastrophes lead to states of emergency in multiple regions across the United States. Thousands of plants, animals, and people died. Additionally, the monetary repercussions totaled $96 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, a fruit crop freeze led to disaster in Florida. Combined with a few storms and tornadoes scattered throughout the country, 1981\u2019s financial total for cleanup due to weather-related disasters was a mere $2.9 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record snowfall, below-average temperatures, ice storms, record-breaking fires, and mass floods have knocked out power across Texas, California, and Michigan so far this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brett Brenner, president of the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), said, \u201cWe\u2019re just not prepared for disasters of this scale. From what we\u2019re seeing in the electrical trades, most of the time, it\u2019s complacency and less-experienced people [DIY homeowners setting up equipment or business owners reusing damaged equipment] coming into the picture that are the cause of injuries. It\u2019s not so much about what we aren\u2019t already equipped to handle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, these unanticipated risks are caused by human intervention rather than climate. ESFI is dedicated to educating the public on what they can do to reduce dangers for themselves and emergency responders such as positioning electrical equipment above flood levels, taking precautions when using generators, evaluating water-logged power-driven gear, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protection of homes, businesses, employees, and clients is vital to success. By providing the proper equipment, training, and education, disaster zones can be more easily remediated by all. Businessowners and employees share the responsibility of working safely when it comes to disaster relief and daily performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the following tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n