The Effects of Hurricane Isaac 2012 on Louisiana

At its peak, Hurricane Isaac had sustained winds of 80 mph coupled with torrential rains. The immediate impact was downed power lines, fallen tree branches, and massive flooding. It's estimated that about 13,000 homes were damaged by Isaac, with the final cost of damage around $3 billion. Millions remained without power for several days as efforts were made to clear debris and sort through the damage. Natural disasters like Hurricane Isaac emphasis the importance of being prepared, especially for homeowners trying to prevent costly damage as much as possible. This includes having emergency items such as generators and flashlights with fresh batteries. Sump pumps and other light industrial cleanup items can also come in handy, especially when it comes to removing water from basements and other low-lying areas prone to flooding. The category 1 storm also resulted in an additional $500 million in damages to off-shore energy production. The most damage from Isaac came after the initial storm moved through Louisiana and Mississippi. Residual flood waters then moved into local neighborhoods and caused flooding. While it is possible to prepare for a hurricane and the expected flooding that comes with such a severe storm, there is little that can be done to make a basement completely waterproof. The best course of action is to be prepared with a sump pump, industrial vacuum, or other similar equipment used to clean up excess water, mud, and debris. Hurricane Isaac also spawned tornadoes and smaller storms throughout the region. This emphasizes the need to be prepared beyond the initial storm. While it may seem that, in today's connected world, all that is necessary is to have an iPhone or iPad, many Internet-connected devices can't receive a valid signal during a storm. While every effort is made to reach storm victims quickly, those who have already sought shelter face additional challenges. It can be days, weeks, or even months before serious efforts can be made to assess and repair damage to residential and commercial properties. Taking a closer look at the damage from Hurricane Isaac, the majority of the homes and commercial properties damaged experienced some level of flooding. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, flooding accounts for about $2 billion in damage annually. Events such as a hurricane often result in that much damage over just a few days when you factor in residual flooding. Those who live in flood prone areas such as the Louisiana basin, parts of Mississippi, and just about any coastal region should make efforts to be prepared for the cleanup process. A generator, for example, can restore power to a home so that a sump pump and other similar equipment can be used to start the cleanup process. Removing water is usually the first priority when starting the cleanup process since total damage cannot be assessed until excess water is removed. Items such as a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and even equipment such as a sump pump can be easily stored in a safe, dry place until they are needed.