Video: WCBS-TV Talks to RTK Environmental Group about Hurricane Sandy

In this WCBS-TV news segment, reporter Vanessa Murdoch interviews Robert Weitz of RTK Environmental Group to provide homeowners with essential tips on minimizing damage and health risks as Hurricane Sandy approaches the Tri-State area.

Video Summary

The segment focuses on proactive measures to protect properties from the anticipated 5 to 10 inches of rainfall and rising floodwaters. Robert Weitz outlines a “defense-first” strategy to keep water out of the home and safely manage it if it enters.

• Exterior Defense: Weitz identifies clean gutters as the first line of defense [00:46]. Clogged gutters allow water to pool and seep directly into the basement.

• Interior Preparation: For known leak points, such as doors or windows, he advises placing buckets and towels before the storm starts, but emphasizes replacing saturated towels immediately to prevent moisture buildup [01:10].

• Electrical Safety: A critical warning is given regarding flooded basements: homeowners should unplug all electrical cords. If water reaches these outlets, it can become electrified, posing a lethal risk to anyone stepping into the water [01:23].

• Preventing Mold Growth: Weitz explains that mold can begin growing within just 24 to 48 hours [01:46]. To prevent respiratory issues like asthma, he advises clearing basement drains and ensuring everything is dried within a day or two. If an item cannot be dried quickly, it must be thrown out to avoid becoming a mold source [01:58].

Video Transcript

• [00:17] Vanessa Murdoch: We are in front of Bronxville High School… Sandy is knocking on our door, we decided to get tips from an expert on ways to minimize the damage.

• [00:40] Robert Weitz: We want to make sure that the gutters are very, very clean at this time of year… they’re your first line of defense.

• [00:53] Robert Weitz: If you don’t clean out leaves and other debris, water may pull over the edge and may seep into the basement.

• [01:10] Robert Weitz: If you have spots like this that always leak, put down buckets and towels before the rain starts. As these towels become saturated, we want to pick them up right away.

• [01:23] Vanessa Murdoch: Sandy may dump as many as 5 inches of rain, and that means basements will flood. These are some tips to minimize damage and danger.

• [01:28] Robert Weitz: Unplug those cords. If the water comes up high enough, that can begin to cause electrical currents in the water… it’s possible that water could be electrified.

• [01:40] Robert Weitz: Pick everything up off the floor and move it to higher ground. If you have a basement drain, make sure it isn’t blocked.

• [01:46] Robert Weitz: Mold causes asthma… it can grow in just 24 to 48 hours. So if your basement floods, you want to be sure that we get things dried out very quickly.

• [02:03] Robert Weitz: If something can’t be dried out in a day or two, throw it out.