Big Bags USA

You keep hearing that disaster mitigation is always better than cleaning up after the storm hits.  If you can lessen or even prevent destruction from a natural disaster, you will save money.  Now you can actually get federal aid to reduce that cost even more!  So why wouldn't you invest in some flood protection barriers and other preventative measures?  Check out these details of President Obama's disaster declaration issued for the State of Iowa. Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required: Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  Emergency protective measures assistance is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.) Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged pu...

If you live in a coastal area, Hurricane Preparation is always a good idea, especially this time of year. Unfortunately, sometimes experiencing a hurricane is something you can't avoid.  The greatest threat to personal safety exists during a storm and immediately after when high winds can cause flying debris. Heavy rain can also cause flash flooding and storm surge can present other deadly threats. Follow these steps from HurricaneScience.com to stay safe in a home during a hurricane. Hurricane Safety  Stay inside and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a safe area in the home (an interior room, a closet or bathroom on the lower level). If flooding threatens a home, turn off electricity at the main breaker. If a home loses power, turn off major appliances such as the air conditioner and water heater to reduce damage. Do not use electrical appliances, including your computer. Do not go outside. If the eye of the storm passes over y...

Flooding is a major natural disaster that can cause a lot of damage.  With hurricane season here, now is the time to get prepared.  At Big Bags USA , we're here to help by providing you with an outstanding flood barrier system , because mitigation is always easier than cleaning up after the fact.  In addition to flood barriers, we want to make sure you have all the tools necessary to stay safe when a flood hits. Check out these safety tips from National Geographic to prepare for a flood, as well as what to do once the flooding has begun. Preparing for a Flood Having a flood plan established is important especially if you live in coastal areas or near rivers and lakes, where flooding occurs more often.  Additionally, there are steps to take when you are expecting a flood in the near future: Avoid building a floodplain.  Construct flood barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering your home or community.   Seal walls in...

Mississippi River water levels have shot up over the past couple of weeks due to a series of strong storms.  Flooding has closed roads and swamped thousands of acres in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. Crests, in some cases 10 feet above flood stage, have occurred throughout the week.  Many cities are struggling for flood protection and could use the help of Big Bags USA Flood Barriers ! 2 Mississippi River Bridges Closed The Champ Clark Bridge in Louisiana, MO closed this past Sunday at 5pm, making it difficult for those traveling on US 54 to go back and forth between Missouri and Illinois.  The nearest bridge for them to use is 35 miles north in Hannibal, MO.  The flood waters aren't expected to recede from the roadways until the weekend.  The Quincy Memorial Bridge in Quincy, IL shut down Monday morning.  The impact was less than that in Missouri because the area has 2 bridges and traffic was just directed to Bayview Bridge which sits higher than t...

Tropical Storm Arthur Strengthens  Arthur strengthened to hurricane status early this morning. Forecasters expect Arthur to whirl past North Carolina's outer banks without making landfall. The National Hurricane Center predicted Arthur would bring winds of up to 85 mph early Friday and eventually make landfall in Canada after reducing back to a tropical storm. Many east coast cities are preparing to change their 4th of July Plans to stay safe this holiday weekend!  North Carolina Prepares Photo From:  The Wall Street Journal Many business owners, residents and visitors are preparing for the storm to hit. Some communities cancelled fireworks, picnics and other festivities after the National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning stretching from Surf City to Duck.  Others are waiting to see what the storm will do before changing their plans.  Boston however, decided to move their fireworks show up a day rather than waiting until Friday in...