Fay Rains on Southeast

Despite her repeated visits, Fay is not leaving the amount of damage forecasters had thought. Still, there is plenty of rain as it moves up the east cost, and that’s causing problems in some spots.

As of Thursday afternoon, the center of Tropical Storm Fay was beginning to cross Florida’s east Coast near Flagler Beach, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). A tropical storm warning remained in effect from Ft. Pierce, Fla., northward to the Savannah River at the border between Georgia and South Carolina.

The storm will delay Walter Wright, a U.S. Lawns franchisee in the Ft. Lauderdale area, for a couple days because of the rain Fay dumped there.

“This week is almost a wash,” he says. “We have to regroup for next week.”

On the plus side, the storm didn’t cause any major damage to his business that would have demanded attention and caused a disruption in service.

Wright’s area got as much as 4½ inches of rain from Fay, contributing to the 7 inches of rain they’ve gotten so far this month. Still, water levels remain low, so the two-day-a-week watering restriction remains in effect. This is the case in all of the South Florida Water Management District despite the fact that some of the canals, ponds and swales were brimming, according to the Sun-Sentinel, a South Florida newspaper.

Fay is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches across the central to northern portion of the Florida peninsula, including the Florida panhandle, southern
Georgia and southeastern Alabama, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches possible, the NOAA reports.

Though flooding has been the main issue, damage from wind (some from resulting tornadoes), also is an issue in the storm-hit areas. Agencies and manufacturers prepare at the beginning of hurricane season for storm events like this that leave damage in their wake. For example, Husqvarna sets a plan in place in the beginning of hurricane season to make sure its dealers in storm-prone areas are well stocked in case of an event. For preparation purposes, it helps that the company’s U.S. headquarters is located close to the action.

“As we know hurricanes don’t give us a lot of notice,” says Tony Marchese, Husqvarna’s U.S. vice president of sales. “Early in the season we get ready. Some of our team in Charlotte watch the hurricanes to determine which area might be affected and which dealers are within that area.”

The company commonly broadcasts public service announcements before a storm event to try to encourage residents to be prepared. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) also encourages preparedness. Tips include assessing which trees could come down in case of a hurricane and trimming any dead or damaged limbs.

“Given that weather can surprise even the most seasoned weathermen, power equipment users should check today that they have the proper equipment and that it is in safe working order,” says Kris Kiser, vice president of public affairs for the OPEI.

A list of safety tips for specific outdoor power equipment is available at http://www.opei.org/consumer/index.asp