robklurfield
eclipse
An unusual question in the aftermath of the storm.
We own property in one of the hardest hit regions of the storm's wrath at the Jersey Shore. The barrier island on which the home is located has been under martial law, with inspection visits limited and requiring escort by National Guard troops. Our particular area is open for the first since the storm today.
For insurance purposes it will be critical to make as many images as possible of the wreckage. Because of the extent of the damage, we have been told to expect hazardous conditions requiring use of face masks, rubber gloves, rubber boots, etc. We have been told to expect extreme mold (and I assume, therefore, also fungus) growth everywhere, not to mention incursions of water tainted by all manner of toxic fluids and chemicals (sewage included).
Alright, given these conditions, is it a safe assumption that it would be rather unwise to bring any valued camera equipment and glass into such an environment as the likelihood of coming home with active fungus spores is a extraordinarily high? I am planning to bring only an iPhone. A good choice, right?
We have been told to assume that everything we are wearing that is not rubber may need to be destroyed. The authorities are actually "washing" the sand that is being removed from the streets out of fear that it is highly contaminated by germs (the sewage being a major culprit) and chemicals (oils, gases, formaldehyde, etc. and who knows what else).
We are told that a neighbor who visited the home in which two or three generations of his family grew up (a full-time residence in an area largely used for vacation homes), vomited upon seeing the extent of the wreckage, so we are not expecting anything cheery to come of our first visit (we probably won't be able to make the trip until next week).
All that said, we are lucky. Our primary residence escaped largely unscathed (save for being without electricity and heat for 12 and half days and still without phone, internet, cable, etc., thousands in downed trees needing to be removed). Very lucky. The damaged place is an investment property -- a big chunk of our retirement savings, BUT not the roof over our heads. Our kids enjoyed many happy summers there, but losing it won't make us homeless. Many people are not so lucky. If you have concerns about those folks, give to the American Red Cross.
Thanks for any insights on not bringing home fungus and other creepy, destructive stuff.
We own property in one of the hardest hit regions of the storm's wrath at the Jersey Shore. The barrier island on which the home is located has been under martial law, with inspection visits limited and requiring escort by National Guard troops. Our particular area is open for the first since the storm today.
For insurance purposes it will be critical to make as many images as possible of the wreckage. Because of the extent of the damage, we have been told to expect hazardous conditions requiring use of face masks, rubber gloves, rubber boots, etc. We have been told to expect extreme mold (and I assume, therefore, also fungus) growth everywhere, not to mention incursions of water tainted by all manner of toxic fluids and chemicals (sewage included).
Alright, given these conditions, is it a safe assumption that it would be rather unwise to bring any valued camera equipment and glass into such an environment as the likelihood of coming home with active fungus spores is a extraordinarily high? I am planning to bring only an iPhone. A good choice, right?
We have been told to assume that everything we are wearing that is not rubber may need to be destroyed. The authorities are actually "washing" the sand that is being removed from the streets out of fear that it is highly contaminated by germs (the sewage being a major culprit) and chemicals (oils, gases, formaldehyde, etc. and who knows what else).
We are told that a neighbor who visited the home in which two or three generations of his family grew up (a full-time residence in an area largely used for vacation homes), vomited upon seeing the extent of the wreckage, so we are not expecting anything cheery to come of our first visit (we probably won't be able to make the trip until next week).
All that said, we are lucky. Our primary residence escaped largely unscathed (save for being without electricity and heat for 12 and half days and still without phone, internet, cable, etc., thousands in downed trees needing to be removed). Very lucky. The damaged place is an investment property -- a big chunk of our retirement savings, BUT not the roof over our heads. Our kids enjoyed many happy summers there, but losing it won't make us homeless. Many people are not so lucky. If you have concerns about those folks, give to the American Red Cross.
Thanks for any insights on not bringing home fungus and other creepy, destructive stuff.
