Colorado Wildfires

Thousands of acres in Colorado have burned in the past few days as wildfires have swept across Colorado. If you live in Colorado (or any other area prone to wildfires), now is a great time to remind prospective customers of the value of a home inventory service.

One of my first exposures to the need for a home inventory came more than eight years ago, when one of my colleagues lost everything she had in a Colorado wildfire. She didn't have an inventory of her possessions and I donated some books to help her start rebuilding her professional library.

When I wrote about the South Carolina wildfires, I noted that the threat is year-round. Be prepared with your news release (linked to in that blog post) to educate the media in your area about the need for a home inventory.

California Earthquake Forecast

If California wildfires weren't enough, the latest California Earthquake Forecast says "The Big One" is a near certainty in the next 30 years.

According to the report, which brought together experts from the U.S. Geological Survey, USC's Southern California Earthquake Center and the State Geological Survey, also found that California is virtually certain to experience at least one major tremblor by 2028.

Bay Area earthquake probability map (Southern California Earthquake Center)

click to enlarge

Southern California earthquake probability map (Southern California Earthquake Center)

click to enlarge

According to the research, the chance of a 6.7 magnitude temblor -- the size of the 1994 Northridge quake -- during this period is 97% in Southern California and 93% in Northern California. The chance of a 7.5 quake -- which shakes at 16 times the intensity of a 6.7 quake -- is 37% in Southern California and 15% in Northern California.

The California Earthquake Authority asked researchers to create a statewide earthquake forecast model that could be used to set insurance rates. The research will be used to update "seismic hazard maps" warning residents and local governments about areas that have the greatest danger of property damage and loss of life in the event of a catastrophic temblor.

If your target market is California, this is yet another potential hazard to add to the list of reasons why homeowners should have a comprehensive home inventory.

Flooding is Latest Threat to Homeowners

Wildfires in California. Hurricanes on the gulf coast. Tornadoes in the Midwest ... and now severe flooding.

From USA Today:

Cities and towns from Missouri to Ohio suffered similar fates this week, as record flooding inundated entire towns and killed at least 15 people.

The massive flooding was compounded by a report from the National Weather Service on Thursday that predicted above-average flooding for the entire region.

From Louisiana to Nebraska and from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania, the weather service anticipates regular flooding for areas that sit along the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers.

The report upset people already facing a historic start to the flood season. Flood conditions have affected 250 communities this week.

Denial about Mother Nature's capabilities means many of these homeowners and businessowners likely haven't prepared a home inventory.

"They need to keep that kind of news to themselves," said Kim Wilson, 50, who was evacuated from his home in Poplar Bluff, Mo., but was spared when the water stopped a couple of inches from his doorstep. "I'm going to pray this is the worst of it."

Robyn Bowling could see the James River roiling from the front door of her one-story ranch. Her family bought the four-bedroom house in Galena, Mo., four years ago in part because it sits on the scenic banks of the river.

She and her husband, Richard, took their five children to the homes of friends who lived farther away, but the couple returned to the house.

By early Wednesday, the river's dark, murky water rose through the floorboards under Robyn Bowling's feet. It poured in over the front porch and under the door, as the flood swept furniture, lumber and trash past their house.

"I don't think any of us believed it would come up," says Bowling, 36, a homemaker.

The couple made a hasty retreat through their backdoor. On Thursday, they went back to assess the damage and found every room in the house covered in slime and mud left by the receding waters. All of their furniture, their beds, appliances and at least one computer were destroyed.