Flooding Aftermath – Excess Household Trash Fees Waived

By CITY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

September 10, 2011

The excess trash fee (stickers) will be waived for the collection dates of September 14 and 21.  It will not be necessary to place stickers on excess bagged trash for those two pick up dates.  For large items, please call the City Public Works Department at 703-248-5160 to arrange a special pick-up.  The normal fee of $75 per cubic yard will be charged for special pick-ups.

Flooded Basements

Many residents have reported flooded basements.  The City offers the following tips and advice for dealing with them.

If there is standing water in your basement, do not walk through it, due the risk of electrical shock.

Unplug appliances if they’re threatened by rising water. Pay special attention to washers and dryers, which have motors located in the bottom of the appliance.

If the water level rises high enough to threaten the electrical panel, turn off power to the building.

Sewage Backup in the Home

Flooding may cause wastewater to back up into homes.  Sewage contains disease-causing microorganisms.  Take proper precautions and follow basic hygiene practices in this case.

If you believe you have experienced a sanitary sewer back up, please inform the City Public Utilities Customer Services at 703-248-5071 during business hours or 703-248-5044 for after hours emergencies.

Choose a qualified contractor, such as Service Master Clean (703-941-4895) or ServPro (703-237-8800) to assist you with clean-up. Please do not place materials on the curb for pick up if they have been affected by a sanitary sewer backup; have your contractor handle and dispose of materials safely.

Other Tips for Restoring Your Home

See tips on the FEMA web page, at http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm.

If your home has suffered damage, call your insurance agent to find out if you are eligible to file a claim under your homeowners policy.  Most normal homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage unless you have flood insurance.

Federal disaster aid for flood victims is only available in a presidentially declared disaster.  No such declaration has been made for our region.

If you have concerns about the structural safety of your home due to any storm damage, be safe and contact the City’s Building Inspector at 703-248-5080.

If flooding has reached electrical outlets or your electrical panel, keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.  Prevent mold by removing wet contents immediately.

Wear gloves and boots to clean and disinfect.  Wet items should be cleaned with a pine-oil cleanser and bleach, completely dried, and monitored for several days for any fungal growth and odors.

FCPD Supports Va. Bicyclist & Pedestrian Awareness Week

By CITY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

September 10, 2011

The Falls Church Police Department is participating in the Virginia Bicyclist & Pedestrian Awareness Week Sept. 11-17 with officers enforcing traffic laws in areas shared by bicyclists and pedestrians, specifically near the W&OD trail.  Violators may be ticketed for failure to yield right-of-way for pedestrians, failure to obey stop signs, and failure to obey crosswalk signals.   At 6:30 p.m., on Monday, Sept. 12, the Police Department will lead a “walk along” starting at the Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., and along the W&OD trail to highlight the importance of sharing the road and safety.   At 7:30 p.m., on Sept. 12, the City Council is scheduled to adopt a proclamation for the Awareness Week, and the public is invited to attend following the walk along.

Traffic deaths on Virginia’s roadways are decreasing, that’s the good news.  The news isn’t so good when it comes to walking or biking in Virginia.  Traffic safety advocates still have work to do urging motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to share the road.   According to the Virginia Highway Safety Office, traffic fatalities among those who choose to bike or run and walk in Virginia increased in 2010, as these statistics show:

· 88 traffic fatalities were reported involving bicyclists and pedestrians, a 5% increase (84 in 2009)

· 621 injuries involving bicyclists, a 2% increase (607 in 2009)

· 1,585 pedestrians injured, a 12% increase, (1402 in 2009)

How are we helping?  The City of Falls Church and Falls Church Police support two important messages from Drive Smart Virginia:  Share the Road and Respect.   Sharing the Road means that motorists need to remember that more Virginia residents are running and walking and riding their bicycles for transportation and even to get to work.  A bump from a car could seriously injure or even kill a bicyclist or pedestrian.  So motorists need to leave at least two feet when passing bicyclists and pedestrians.  The City also urges Respect among motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Bicyclists and pedestrians also have responsibilities on the roadway.  Bicyclists should always ride on the right, with traffic.  Cyclists should wear bright colored or reflective clothing, blinking lights and obey all traffic laws.  Pedestrians should move against traffic and also wear reflective clothing so they’re easier to see.  People should walk or run on the sidewalk or the extreme edge of the road.

Motorists should avoid driving while distracted.  There’s a greater chance for a crash if you text and drive.  A Virginia Tech study found that 80% of traffic crashes occurred within three seconds of a distracted driving event.

For more information visit www.drivesmartva.org