Continued from Part 1.
Storm Winds and Waters Pose Major Threat of Structural Collapses
Major storms with high winds and storm surges like Superstorm Sandy pose grave dangers to manmade structures. Winds can take glass plates off of skyscrapers, blow over cranes and other pieces of equipment, send trees falling into vehicles and buildings, and give the final push to leaning walls.
Water collecting on roofs and in small gaps left by weakening structural connections can cause loose facades to finally pull away and fall from their buildings. Roofs can sag and collapse. Outdoor structures can be uprooted. And flooding always leaves costly water damage. Entire buildings might be swept away by surging waters. Already a number of seaside homes along the eastern seaboard have been dismantled and submerged by Sandy’s storm waters.
Storm winds were blamed for the multi-fatality collapse of an outdoor concert stage at the Indiana State Fair last year and for the collapse of the Dallas Cowboys’ training facility in 2009 that seriously injured a coach and another team employee. Winds were blamed for the dramatic collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Storm surge waters devastated the fabled city of New Orleans.
Already the storm surge of Superstorm Sandy has caused flooding throughout New York City. It will take days to pump the sea waters from the subway tunnels and tunnels under the rivers around Manhattan. The salt in the sea waters will cause corrosion and damage to metal structures and components the extent of which might not be known for some time.
Storm Damage Continues to Mount after the Storm Exits the Area
As we saw with Hurricane Katrina several years ago, damage from the storm’s surges and other factors may continue to mount even after the storm has left the area. The storm surge that devastated New Orleans didn’t really begin until the worst of Hurricane Katrina had already left the area.
We hope that people in the Northeast heeded storm warnings and evacuated ahead of Superstorm Sandy. News reports indicate that coastal areas are already experiencing heavy flooding and it’s only expected to get worse over coming hours.
Property damage is one thing. But loss of life is tragic and can’t be valued in dollar terms. Sandy has already been blamed for 65 deaths in the Caribbean. We hope that the Northeast adds no more numbers to her deadly toll.
Contact our Experienced Structural Collapse Injury Attorneys if You’ve Suffered Structural Collapse Injuries from Superstorm Sandy and You Need EFFECTIVE LEGAL HELP
At Denena & Points, our structural collapse injury attorneys are among the rare few with actual practical experience successfully handling complex structural collapse claims on behalf of our clients. We would prefer to hear that Sandy causes only property damage. But keep our contact information handy should you need to reach us. We’re available toll free anytime at 877-307-9500 or use our “Get Help Now” online contact form. We’re here to help if you need us. Always FREE initial legal consultations.