MEC&F Expert Engineers : 06/02/16

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Qatar Says 11 Killed in Fire at Migrant Worker Accommodation


Eleven people were killed in a fire that broke out in housing for migrant laborers working on a tourism project in Qatar, authorities said late Thursday.
The fire is likely to intensify scrutiny of conditions for low-wage guest workers in the wealthy Gulf nation, which is being transformed by billions of dollars' worth of construction projects as it prepares to host the 2022 World Cup.
Rights groups have repeatedly criticized Qatar's treatment of foreign workers, who are effectively bound to their employer under a sponsorship system that activists say leaves employees open to abuse. Qatar has enacted some labor reforms and plans to implement others, but many workers still sleep in crowded, substandard housing.
The Interior Ministry said on Twitter that the fire erupted late Wednesday in housing used by one of the companies working on the Salwa tourism project in the south of the country. It said that 12 people were hospitalized.
The ministry did not provide details on the identities of the victims. Qatari officials did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
Many migrant workers in Qatar come from South Asian countries including India and Nepal, as well as parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
The fire comes two months after another blaze broke out at an $825 million mall under construction near a stadium where Qatar plans to host part of the 2022 soccer tournament. Some 14,000 laborers and staff had to be evacuated in that fire, though there were no reported injuries.
Wednesday's fire was believed to be the deadliest in Qatar since a 2012 blaze at the high-end Villaggio shopping mall in the capital, Doha. That fire killed 19 people, including 13 children, many of them foreigners

A production worker at the BottleRock festival site in Napa was crushed by a large beam

A production worker at the BottleRock festival site in Napa was killed in an industrial accident Tuesday afternoon, according to the firefighters. 
The Napa Fire Department announced via Twitter at 6:43 p.m. that crews had responded to the Napa Valley Exponon Third Street.
Firefighters initially said the worker was injured while dismantling a stage, but later clarified that he'd been breaking down a VIP lounge area west of the JaM Cellars Stage constructed for the three-day BottleRock festival that ended Sunday.
The victim has been identified only as a 35-year-old man working for Top Productions, in Richmond. Further details were not immediately available.
Firefighters said state safety officials had been called to investigate the accident, which occurred shortly before 5 p.m.
A large beam fell on the man, pinning him on the platform that he was working on, said Capt. Ty Becerra of Napa Fire. He was transported to Queen of the Valley Medical Center.

List of current mandatory and voluntary evacuations in Texas








Families in Wharton are evacuating as a mandatory order goes into effect. Jeff Ehling reports. (KTRK)





Updated 20 mins ago

BRAZORIA COUNTY (Mandatory)

A mandatory evacuation has been issued for some residents in Brazoria County. County Judge Matt Sebesta made the mandatory evacuation order for residents living in the area west of Oyster Creek to east of the Brazos River on FM 1462.All roads off of FM 1462 between Oyster Creek and the Brazos River are under mandatory evacuation.


WHARTON (Mandatory)



Residents in the area bounded on the west by Wilkes Street, north by Hendon Street, east by Spanish Camp to ML King and ML King to Outlar, on the south by Camellia and also from South Sunset to Bell Street must evacuate by 7am Monday.

The Red Cross has opened a shelter for displaced residents at the Wharton Boys and Girls Club on 2120 Newton Street.


ROSENBERG (Mandatory)



The mayor of Rosenberg issued mandatory evacuations which went into effect Sunday at 2pm.

The areas impacted include:
*All properties north of River road adjacent to the Brazos River.
*All properties south of Barker Road adjacent to the Brazos River.
*The north side of the railroad track from 5th to 8th (west to east) AND from the Brazos River to Avenue B (north to south)
*West Street and Mulcahy Street: north of Avenue D
There is a shelter set up at the First Baptist Church on Richmond. People are asked to pack lightly if possible. Transportation to the shelter is available between 2 and 4 at A.W. Jackson Elementary.


SIMONTON (Mandatory)

The mandatory evacuation has been ordered for Sections 1, 2, and 3 of Valley Lodge Subdivision due to conditions on the Brazos River.

The river continues to threaten lives and property as the waters rise, officials say, and that threat will continue to increase for the next several days.

In a statement, the Mayor's office cites rising river levels and forecast information from the National Weather Service. Specifically, authorities are concerned about the Livingston Dam.

The Red Cross has set up a shelter to help displaced persons at the Shepherd Community Center (10251 TX-150, Shepherd, TX 77371).


MISSOURI CITY (voluntary)

Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen issued a voluntary evacuation order for select areas of the city on Sunday evening as the Brazos River continues to rise.

The following areas are included:

Lake Olympia Subdivisions: Flamingo Island, Jade Island, Swan Isle
Lake Olympia Streets: Chappell Lane, Peninsulas Drive, Woodlake Lane
Quail Valley Streets: Boca Court, Covey Trai,l Kiamesha Drive, Tamarisk Lane, Thunderbird Street

Portions of Fort Bend County are under a river flood warning "until further notice," according to the National Weather Service. The Brazos is expected to rise above 53 feet on Tuesday, at which point it will begin to fall.

PHOTOS: Flooding and storm damage across SE Texas








Viewer-submitted photos of flooding in southeast Texas (Viewer-submitted photo)
BRAZORIA COUNTY



BRAZORIA COUNTY (residents urged to prepare)

County officials said Sunday evening that the Brazos River is expected to reach major flood stage on Memorial Day and remain high at least through next weekend. Although they stopped short of issuing a formal evacuation order, County Judge Matt Sebesta's office urged residents in the following areas to "prepare NOW and be ready to evacuate" as water rises:

Sandy Point
West Rosharon
Holiday Lakes
Bailey's Prairie
Bar X
Sun Creek Ranch
East Columbia
Mallard Lake /CR 25 area
Planter's Point
Longhorn Estates
Oakwood Creek Estates
All areas between Angleton and West Columbia/Hwy 35
Brazos River Floodplain, Oyster Creek Floodplain and Upper Bastrop Bayou

Public shelters with cots have opened at Old Angleton Intermediate School/Angleton ISD Administration Building (1900 North Downing Street, Angleton, Texas) and Christ Lutheran Church (86 Plantation, Lake Jackson, Texas).

Residents who require help moving livestock to higher ground are urged to contact the Brazoria County AgriLife Extension Office at 979-864-1558.

Furthermore, Cow Creek bridge at CR25 will close at sunset on Sunday, May 29th.

Air Force jet crashes after flyover at Colorado Obama speech


Thunderbird jet crashes after flyover of academy commencement attended by Obama. (Shutterstock.com file photo)
The Latest on an Air Force Thunderbird jet crash in Colorado(all times local):

2:20 p.m.

President Barack Obama met with the pilot of a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird jet shortly after the plane crashed following a flyover at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the president thanked the pilot for his service and expressed his relief that he wasn't seriously injured. The pilot safely ejected.

The F-16 crashed in a field near Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs just after ceremonies at the nearby academy where Obama delivered the commencement address.

Authorities say no one on the ground was injured.

---

2:00 p.m.

President Barack Obama was about 15 miles away from where an Air Force Thunderbird jet crashed after an Air Force Academy graduation.

Obama was still at Falcon Stadium at the Air Force Academy, where commencement took place. The ceremony lasted about 30 minutes. The president was taking photographs and greeting attendees in a private area during the Thunderbirds flyover.

News of the crash broke while Obama's motorcade was returning to Peterson Air Force Base - just next to where the jet crashed - for his flight back to Washington.

---

1:44 p.m.

An Air Force Thunderbird jet crashed south of Colorado Springs just after a flyover for a graduation of Air Force Academy cadets where President Barack Obama had spoken.

Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Col. Michal (ma-CALL) Kloeffler-Howard said Thursday the pilot ejected. There was no information on the pilot's condition. No injuries on the ground were reported.

Obama was still at the graduation site at the time of the crash, taking photos with attendees prior to returning to Washington. The crash happened about 15 miles south of the academy.

17 injured by eye irritant at Fremont High School after fight, LAFD says


Police are investigating a fight at Fremont High School on San Pedro Street on Thursday, June 2, 2016.
Police are investigating a fight at Fremont High School on San Pedro Street on Thursday, June 2, 2016.
As many as 17 people, including an officer, suffered eye injuries when exposed to an irritant, possibly pepper spray at a high school on San Pedro Street in Los Angeles, officials said.

A fight occurred at or near Fremont High School, Los Angeles Fire Department officials said. Up to 17 people suffered minor eye irritations after exposure to the substance. Two people suffered minor injuries in the fight.

No patients are being transported to a local hospital at this time.

Blue Angels F/A-18 plane crashes while practicing for air show in Tennessee


Blue Angels F/A-18 plane crashes while practicing for air show in Tennessee
(Angela Adams/Facebook)
A Navy official confirms that a Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 has crashed outside of Nashville, Tennessee, while practicing for an air show.

The status of the pilot is unknown.

Keep checking abc7NY for the latest information on this developing story.

At least 1 killed in big rig crash on EB 60 Freeway

At least 1 killed in big rig crash on EB 60 Freeway

Authorities worked to remove a car from underneath a semi-truck on the eastbound Pomona Freeway Thursday, June 2, 2016.
Authorities worked to remove a car from underneath a semi-truck on the eastbound Pomona Freeway Thursday, June 2, 2016. (KABC)
At least one person has been killed after colliding with a semi-truck on the eastbound 60 Freeway near Hacienda Heights early Thursday morning.

The collision snarled traffic and shut down four of five lanes in the area as officers tried to dislodge the car. Los Angeles County firefighters started to cut the car open to save the person, but were unable to do so.

The 7th Avenue onramp was closed, but traffic on the westbound side of the freeway remained fairly clear.

Justice Department and Dutch Authorities Announce Simultaneous Enforcement Actions Against International Mass-Mailing Fraud Schemes Targeting the Elderly

 

Thursday, June 2, 2016



 

Thousands of U.S. Victims Defrauded Out of Over $18 Million Annually

The United States filed a civil complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against an individual and two Dutch companies that allegedly engaged in multiple international mail fraud schemes that have defrauded elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims out of tens of millions of dollars, the Department of Justice announced.  The Department sought a temporary restraining order, which was entered by the court yesterday, as well as preliminary and permanent injunctions to prevent the defendants from further victimizing U.S. consumers. 
According to the complaint, U.S. residents received fraudulent direct mail solicitations that falsely claimed that the individual recipient had won, or would soon win cash or valuable prizes or otherwise come into great fortune.  Victims sent payments through the U.S. and international mail systems to defendants Trends Service in Kommunikatie B.V. (Trends) and Kommunikatie Service Buitenland B.V. (KSB), both in Utrecht, Netherlands, and both owned and operated by defendant Erik Dekker, 54, of Langbroek, Netherlands.
At the same time that the Justice Department took this law enforcement action, Dutch law enforcement agents executed search warrants on the business address used by both companies and on Dekker’s home address.  The Dutch authorities also took control of the Dutch P.O. boxes used by the defendants to receive victim funds.  The coordinated U.S. and Dutch enforcement actions seek to immediately stop the use of Dutch P.O. boxes to receive payments from fraud victims and to immediately stop the defendants from continuing to victimize the elderly.  Learn more about the actions taken by Dutch authorities at: https://www.om.nl/actueel/nieuwsberichten/@94702/fiod-and-us-doj/ [external link]
“Schemes targeting elderly victims are increasingly international in scope, but geographic distance will not prevent us from seeking justice and holding bad actors accountable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.  “Dutch authorities have done a great service to U.S. residents and elderly victims worldwide by addressing fraud facilitated within their borders.  The Justice Department will continue to work with our international law enforcement partners to put a stop to fraud schemes that exploit vulnerable Americans.” 
“As alleged in the complaint, defendants act as the clearinghouses for multiple international mail fraud schemes, taking money from thousands of elderly and vulnerable victims not only in this district but also throughout the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Robert L. Capers for the Eastern District of New York.  “Together with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our international partner, the Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Netherlands, we will track down, and stop, the schemes wherever they lead.”  
“No one should ever be told they must pay a fee, or make a worthless purchase, to collect a prize,” said Inspector in Charge Regina L. Faulkerson of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigation Group.  “When that happens, it’s fraud - plain and simple - and Postal Inspectors work to keep those falsehoods out of the U.S. mail.”
The complaint filed June 1 in U.S. federal court in the Eastern District of New York alleges that, since at least 2012, Trends, KSB and Dekker have used P.O. boxes in the Netherlands to receive payments from various predatory mass-mailing fraud schemes.  Solicitations are mailed from locations around the globe to residents in the United States.  The solicitations purport to be personalized to each individual recipient, even though they are form letters mailed to hundreds of thousands of potential victims.  Some solicitations instruct recipients to pay a processing fee in order to receive lottery winnings or other prizes; other solicitations urge recipients to purchase goods or services based on false promises that they will guarantee future lottery wins.
As alleged in the complaint, victims responded to the solicitations by completing a form and submitting a payment, usually around $15 to $55, via U.S. mail.  The solicitations contain pre-addressed envelopes in which victims send payments.  The envelopes are addressed to P.O. boxes in the Netherlands.  Trends and KSB operate more than 50 of these P.O. boxes.  Like other so-called “caging services,” Trends and KSB open the payment envelopes, remove the contents, enter payment and other personal information from the victims into a database and handle victim payments.  The U.S. government estimates that U.S. victims mail more than $18 million annually to the defendants’ P.O. boxes.         
The government is seeking an injunction under the Anti-Fraud Injunction Statute immediately shutting down the defendants’ role in the fraudulent schemes in order to protect U.S. victims from further harm.  The injunctions sought by the United States would enjoin the defendants from using the U.S. mail or causing the U.S. mail to be used, to distribute the fraudulent solicitations or to collect victim payments, and from selling lists of American victims who have responded to the solicitations.  If granted, a permanent injunction would allow the U.S. Postal Service to intercept mail heading to the defendants, and return that mail—along with any money being sent to the defendants—to U.S. victims.
U.S. District Court Judge I. Leo Glasser for the Eastern District of New York set a hearing on the preliminary injunction on July 18 at 10 a.m.
The Justice Department’s case is being handled by Trial Attorney Kerala Thie Cowart of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Vagelatos of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York and Postal Inspector Joseph R. Bizzarro of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The claims made in the complaints are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 
A copy of the complaint, case # 16-CV-2770, can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/863501/download
More information on fraud against the elderly is available here: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/.
Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.
 

A 19-year-old did more than $10,000 in damage to vehicles parked at the Grand Traverse Resort during Memorial Day weekend.

Suspect does $10K+ in damage to 30 vehicles at Michigan resort, police say


Authorities arrested a 19-year-old Traverse City man Sunday after being called to the resort at 5:23 a.m., when a woman found her car had been broken into overnight. Sheriff's deputies discovered about 30 parked cars had been damaged, with the destruction ranging from mirrors being ripped off and tail lights being broken to windows being smashed out. Police say a Jeep's soft top was slashed and a Cadillac Escalade's LCD radio display was destroyed.
Repair estimates are in the "tens of thousands of dollars," police said.

Police say the investigation led to the man, who was staying at the resort with family, and that he admitted to damaging the cars. He was arrested on felony malicious destruction of property charges and was lodged in the Grand Traverse County Jail.

Anyone affected by the offenses or who knows more about it is asked to call police at 231-922-4770, Ext 5955.

Evergreen Nursery cited for 18 serious violations after overturned forklift crushes worker

June 1, 2016
Prompted by severe workplace injury, OSHA investigation at Georgia nursery
reveals deadly workplace hazards; nearly $47K in fines proposed
Evergreen Nursery cited for 18 serious violations after overturned forklift crushes worker

Employer name: Evergreen Nursery Inc.

Inspection site: 1501 Dials Road, Statham, Georgia 30666

Citations issued: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to Evergreen Nursery on May 31 for 18 serious safety violations.

Investigation findings: OSHA began an investigation after learning an Evergreen Nursery employee suffered a workplace injury that required hospitalization. On March 18, 2016, a forklift driven by a 36-year-old worker on uneven terrain turned over, crushing the operator's pelvis. The severe injury hospitalized the worker. In its investigation, OSHA inspectors determined the worker was not wearing a seatbelt. The agency has established a Regional Emphasis Program to reduce injuries and fatalities related to powered industrial trucks.

The serious citations relate to the employer:

  • Not ensuring workers operating powered industrial trucks wore seatbelts.
  • Exposing workers to electrical hazards from improperly repaired electrical cords.
  • Not providing protective equipment to workers.
  • Not developing a written hazard communication program for workers handling chemicals.
  • Not providing written energy control procedures to prevent machinery from starting during maintenance and servicing.
  • Exposing workers to unguarded machine parts and equipment.
  • Exposing workers to falls due to missing safety rails.

Proposed penalties: $46,900

Quote: "Evergreen Nursery is exposing workers to numerous serious safety hazards and needs to be more proactive with assessing the workplace for hazards and taking action to correct them," said William Fulcher, OSHA's area director in the Atlanta-East Office. This incident could have been prevented if management had followed OSHA standards."

The citations can be viewed at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/newsroom/newsreleases/OSHA20160996.pdf

Evergreen Nursery is a wholesale nursery that specializes in perennial and ground covers. The company operates a facility near Athens, Georgia and employs approximately 40 workers. The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Atlanta-East Area Office at 770-493-6644.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Pennsylvania stucco contractor cited by OSHA for again exposing employees to scaffolding dangers at Bear, Delaware, work site. BC Stucco and Stone fined $93K after second inspection this May

June 2, 2016
Pennsylvania stucco contractor cited by OSHA for again exposing
employees to scaffolding dangers at Bear, Delaware, work site

BC Stucco and Stone fined $93K after second inspection this May
Employer name: BC Stucco and Stone, 36 Marian Court, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
BC Stucco and Stone was hired to provide labor for a store remodeling job. Schorn Construction Co. Inc. was the general contractor.
Inspection site: Route 40 and Salem Church Road, Bear, Delaware
Citations issued: On May 20, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to BC Stucco for one serious and three willful violations.
Inspection findings: On Nov. 25, 2015, an OSHA compliance officer observed BC Stucco employees working approximately 18 feet above ground on a scaffold with major safety deficiencies, such as lack of fall protection, planking, safe access and proper use of guardrails, prompting an investigation.
The agency found willful violations when BC Stucco and Stone:
  • Allowed workers on scaffolds approximately 18-feet high that were not fully planked or decked.
  • Used a scaffold without a safe means of access and exit.
  • Used a scaffold with unguarded edges and without guardrails, creating fall hazards up to approximately 18 feet.
  • Failed to provide scaffolding related safety training by a competent person to each employee working from scaffolding.
The serious citation was due to the company not providing and requiring employees to wear head protection while conducting stucco operations on a fabricated frame scaffold.
OSHA previously cited BC Stucco and Stone on May 2, 2016, for violations at a Philadelphia work site.
Quote: “BC Stucco and Stone continues to make production the priority over ensuring a safe workplace for its employees, which is intolerable. This contractor is well aware of OSHA standards for safe scaffolding, but consistently disregards them and allows its workers to use scaffolding in such poor condition that even a small human error could lead to dreadful outcomes,” said Erin Patterson, director of OSHA’s Wilmington Area Office.
Proposed penalties: $93,000
The citations can be viewed at: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/BCStuccoandStone_1108487.pdf
The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Wilmington Area Office at 302-573-6518.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

No relief in sight for parts of Texas swamped by deadly floods

                       
The sound of pounding rain has become the daily chorus across the state of Texas. Wednesday's storms targeted north of Houston, where a six-inch downpour in just three hours led to flash flooding, reports CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez."We live in the back of the subdivision and it's almost past our driveway," said one resident.
It was a similar scene further north in Lubbock, where drivers slogged through washed-out streets.
In the Southeast, the overflowing Brazos River stranded cows in deep water as they struggled to reach higher ground and continues to consume homes and land. It's climbed to nearly 10 feet above flood stage near Richmond, exceeding earlier projections.
Officials hope the Brazos River will start to fall. But with more rain on the way, it could be weeks before water levels return to normal. Emergency crews have carried out more than 450 water rescues this week.
"This is something we haven't seen in this area in a hundred years," said Ft. Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
Mary Doettrel's home is already in nearly three feet of water as this area braces for more rain.
"Nobody can project it. It's unbelievable," Doettrel said. "I mean I don't know what I'm going to do an hour from now."
The widespread flooding has pushed Governor Greg Abbott to declare a state of disaster in 31 counties. Some parts of Southeast Texas could see up to another seven inches of rain this week.

Governor Abbott Declares State Of Disaster In 31 Texas Counties

 

Wednesday, June 01, 2016  •  Austin, Texas  •  Press Release
Governor Greg Abbott today declared a state of disaster in Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Coleman, Colorado, Erath, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Jasper, Kleberg, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Lubbock, Montgomery, Palo Pinto, Parker, Polk, Robertson, San Jacinto, Tyler, Walker, Waller, Washington and Wharton Counties in the State of Texas. 

On Friday, May 27th, Governor Abbott elevated the activation level of the State Operations Center (SOC) in Austin and continues to urge all Texans to stay on high alert and immediately heed any warnings from their local officials related to this severe flood threat.

“As our state continues to face waves of severe weather and potential flooding, it is crucial that Texans remain vigilant and heed warnings and any evacuation notices from local officials in their areas,” said Governor Abbott. “The State of Texas stands ready to assist all counties affected by severe weather and has dedicated the resources necessary to ensure the safety of those at risk. I would like to thank the first responders who have rescued residents from rising waters and ask all Texans to keep those affected in their thoughts and prayers.”

To read Governor Abbott’s disaster declaration, click here.

The State Operations Center continues to coordinate with the National Weather Service and their West Gulf River Forecast Center to monitor river conditions. The SOC also continues to coordinate with the Texas Emergency Management Council and is providing state resources and assistance to local leaders as requested.

State agencies activated and responding to this event include the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Military Department, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas General Land Office, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service/Texas Task Force 1, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Park and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Animal Health Commission, and the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and many other Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADS).

Texans are urged to follow these safety tips during severe weather events:
  • Remember that dangerous waters can seem deceptively calm, and if you encounter flooding, move to higher ground – turn around, don’t drown.
  • Avoid areas already flooded and avoid any fast-flowing water.
  • Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and always observe road barricades placed for your protection.
  • Monitor weather radios and news broadcasts for updated information on current and anticipated severe weather, and heed warnings by local officials - when in doubt, get out!
  • Keep in mind that flood dangers are even harder to recognize at night.
For more safety tips related to severe weather, click here. For up to date information on road conditions/closures, click here.

Aside from roofing and siding, HVAC systems account for the most commonly claimed residential property loss because of hail damage




The Insurance Information Institute says hail causes about $1 billion in damage annually, with the highest number of claims reported in April, May and June. Hail guards like this one can help reduce some of the damage to HVAC systems. (Photo: HVACi)
The Insurance Information Institute says hail causes about $1 billion in damage annually, with the highest number of claims reported in April, May and June. Hail guards like this one can help reduce some of the damage to HVAC systems. (Photo: HVACi)

The first few months of 2016 have ushered in severe weather storms of historical proportions. 
 

According to the Property Claims Service unit of Jersey City, N.J.-based Verisk Solutions, first-quarter losses added up to an estimated $3.8 billion, 27% higher than the 10-year first quarter average.
 

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This is in large part because of hailstorms that ripped across much of the country.
 

Two devastating storms, separated by a week, hammered the Dallas-Fort Worth area in March. In April, San Antonio was hit with the costliest hail event in Texas history, according to the Independent Insurance Agents of San Antonio, which included hail up to 4½ inches in diameter, the National Weather Service said. Less than a month later, major hailstorms stretched from Kansas and Oklahoma, all the way to the Atlantic coast.
 

Related: Catastrophe season off to a strong start

As a result of these catastrophic losses (and several other minor hail storms), many adjusters have found themselves in uncharted territory, tasked with handling heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) losses they’re not accustomed to settling. 
 

When encountering hail damage claims, it’s important to understand what HVAC parts are truly susceptible to damage, and what repair methods are readily available to return the insured to pre-loss condition.

Exposed and delicate


Aside from roofing and siding, HVAC systems account for the most commonly claimed residential property loss because of hail damage. The outdoor condensing unit, and more specifically, the condenser coil, is the most susceptible component of an HVAC system to sustain damage from hail. The condenser coil contains tightly spaced aluminum “fins” that surround the perimeter of the condensing unit. And because of they are made of thin, malleable aluminum, they can easily be damaged by any foreign object, including hailstones.
 

Because of their susceptibility to hail damage, some residential and commercial condenser coils are protected by hail guards (rigid metal casing with vents to allow airflow). However, most HVAC systems are not equipped with hail guards, resulting in dented, bent, and even torn fins, in rough proportion to the size of the hailstones during these events.
 

When it comes to returning HVAC systems to their pre-loss condition (regardless of whether they’re rooftop-based units or traditional split systems), the overwhelming majority of systems with confirmed hail damage can be restored with minor to moderate repairs.
 

In fact (much to the dismay of some local contractors), a “hierarchy” of repair options exists for hail-damaged HVAC systems, and should be considered when faced with this type of claim:

(Click on image to enlarge)

Hail evaluation hierarchy

This pyramid gives adjusters with a hierarchy for evaluating damage to HVAC systems. (Image: HVACi)
 
 






 
 
 

Air-conditioner fins

At left, minor hail damage that tore the fins of the condensing coil of a residential split system condensing unit. At right, fins after combing. (Photos: HVACi)

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Option 1: Fix the fins


The first (and statistically most likely) repair option in the hail repair hierarchy is to straighten or “comb” damaged condenser coil fins with a specialty tool designed for this specific purpose.
 

In fact, nearly 50% of all residential HVAC systems with hail-related damages assessed in 2015 could be restored to pre-loss condition using this repair method, according to the HVACi 2016 Annual Claims Report.
 

If an HVAC professional invests adequate time and care into the work, combing the fins of a condenser coil is often a simple and inexpensive way to rectify minor hail damage.
 
 

Moderate hail damage

Close-up view of moderate hail damage to a commercial unit. (Photo: HVACi)

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Option 2: Replace the coil


If the hail damage proves too extensive to comb the condenser coil fins, the second step in the repair hierarchy is to repair the HVAC system by replacing the condenser coil itself.
 

Thirty percent of the claims assessed in 2015 resulted in this repair recommendation following an onsite investigation of the system damage. Many condenser coils are stocked at local HVAC distribution centers or manufacturer warehouses, and in other cases, can be produced by the manufacturer “on demand” if needed.
 

 
 
 

major damage to a commercial unit

Significant damage to a commercial rooftop package unit. (Photo: HVACi)

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Option 3: Replace the unit


If the condenser coil is no longer available, or the lead-time for the coil production is too long, adjusters may opt to replace the outdoor condensing unit or packaged unit.
 

As the third step in the hail repair hierarchy, this repair option is required less often than a combing (step 1) or replacing the condenser coils (step 2). That said, condensing unit replacements were required roughly 17% of the time for residential claims last year, and remain a viable repair action of last resort.
 

If replacing the condenser coil isn’t a viable repair option, and the condensing unit replacement results in a significant mismatch with the remaining internal equipment, adjusters may be compelled to authorize a full system replacement. However, it’s important to note that this scenario is highly unlikely and very infrequent. In fact, only 5% of residential claims in 2015 required a full-system replacement (meaning 95% of hail-damaged HVAC systems can be repaired and returned to pre-loss condition).
 

HVAC systems damaged by hail very rarely require replacement. When handling hail losses, adjusters who receive a local contractor’s estimate stating that full system replacement is required should view to do some additional digging. Data suggests that other options are not only available, but are likely to be the prudent path to system restoration.
 

Staten Island car wash catches fire


John del Giorno reporting live
Fire is burning through a car wash in the Mariner's Harbor section of Staten Island

The fire broke out at the Touchless Auto Wash just after 5:45 a.m.

The business is at 1995 Forest Ave.

No injuries were reported.

Family displaced after air conditioner catches fire


Family displaced after air conditioner catches fire


Posted: Thu 6:23 AM, Jun 02, 2016


TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - A family was displaced after a fire Thursday morning.

It happened on the 100 block of Champion Street in Toledo.

Firefighters say all six people were able to get safely.

They said the a window air conditioner caught fire in a child's bedroom on the second floor.

The fire was contained to the room, but the house had smoke damage.

The fire is under investigation.