Hurricane Ida is in the Rear-View Mirror. What’s Next?

The remnants of Hurricane Ida ripped through New Jersey on September 1, 2021, leaving tremendous damage statewide. More than two inches of rainfall per hour, with some towns recording up to 10 inches of rain, which caused massive flooding in streets, houses, and commercial buildings.

Hurricane Ida also claimed thirty lives, most in Central Jersey, making it one of the deadliest storms to hit the state. The immense effect of Ida pushed Governor Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency, allowing all resources to be deployed across the state.

It has been more than a month since Hurricane Ida hit the Garden state, and people who were severely affected by the storm are slowly getting back on their feet with the help of the federal and local government and private organizations.

Still, the aftermath of Hurricane Ida’s record rainfall and winds poses a great risk of structural damage for residential properties and commercial buildings. Depending on different factors, such as proximity to the storm’s path, age of the structure, and materials used, some structures might be completely compromised, while others suffer minimal damage.

Even though some structures only sustained slight damage during the event, it could become dangerous for the residents in the long run if left unchecked. No matter how minimal it is, structural damage inflicted by a storm will decrease the soundness of the structure and cause safety hazards to property owners if another calamity hits.

Hurricane Ida is already in the rear-view mirror, but a stronger hurricane might come next. A higher level of preparation before the next disaster strikes helps prevent structural damage from occurring. Still, immediate action after a storm, like determining the extent of damage, is also vital for commercial buildings and houses.

Check Structures for Possible Damage

Structural inspections are critical after a storm like Ida. It can help property owners get a proper understanding of their structure’s present condition and the repairs and restorations required.

Once a storm passes, property owners should thoroughly check the structure for internal and external damage. Even if the building did not appear to sustain severe defects, it is ideal to immediately schedule a structural engineer in New Jersey to inspect the place and validate if there is any hidden flaw in the building.

NJ structural engineers will analyze the structure’s condition to see if it is still safe to use after the hurricane. They check possible flaws on the foundation walls, building frames, roof, façade, and other major structural systems of the property. The engineers will also check if the damage is inflicted by wind, water, or flying objects to give recommendations on improving the structure to be less vulnerable moving forward.

Following the hurricane damage inspection, structural engineers prepare a written report on their findings, detailing if the property is still safe to use in its current condition or needs repairs.  The owners should schedule the repair work as soon as possible if any damage is discovered; in hurricane season, there can always be another storm around the corner.

Water Remediation

Besides exterior damage, hours of rainfall can also cause water to enter the building and damage the interior components. If any part of the structure sustained water damage, it needs to be remediated.

Water remediation is the process of cleaning and repairing materials and structures destroyed by water damage. Aside from heavy winds, the amount of water that Hurricane Ida dumped also impacted structures negatively. It is necessary to treat water damage as fast as possible as it might become a bigger hazard when left untreated.

The process of water remediation starts with the extraction of water from where the damage occurred. It is important to remove all excess and standing water as it can promote mold growth in the structure, causing further damage in the long term. Using pumps and vacuums is the most common way of extracting large quantities of standing water.  For lesser quantities, a good old-fashioned mop and bucket can do the trick.  Water remediation companies will also deploy dehumidifiers and high-speed fans to reduce the moisture content in all affected structural components.

Once the water is removed, owners should clean and sanitize the affected area. Thorough cleaning using disinfectants and anti-microbial treatments can prevent disease-causing germs and other harmful bacteria from persisting in the structure. While property owners can do this by themselves, it is advisable to hire professional services if the job is too complex.

When the damaged structure is already cleaned and sanitized, it should be dried thoroughly. This process can take days to make sure that the affected area is fully dried before moving on to repairs and restoration.

Future After Ida

The impact of Hurricane Ida in New Jersey is an eye-opener on how structural inspections are important before and after a storm. The warmer ocean temperature and higher sea levels caused by climate change are believed to intensify the impact of hurricanes moving forward. Even if the residents dodged a bullet this time, the next hurricane might hit with greater force and more rain.

Structural damage is inevitable, especially after a hurricane. Immediately repairing the damage will prevent it from worsening as time passes. On the other hand, annual structural assessments will ensure that the building is structurally sound and in good condition before the next storm arrives.

Engineers at Lockatong Engineering can help make sure that residential and commercial buildings are structurally sound. They offer a comprehensive property inspection, including a focused inspection of a single feature, evaluating a home’s current structure, phased inspections across the life of a construction venture, or structural design services for a renovation or addition.

Contact us today to schedule a structural inspection with our professional New Jersey structural engineers.