As the hurricanes have moved out, heavy equipment begins to move in to begin rebuilding neighborhoods and businesses. Cleanup is occurring in Texas, Florida, the Carolinas and the islands, as Harvey, Irma and Jose move on. More hurricanes are in line to follow.

The dilemma becomes moving heavy equipment into flooded areas for the heavy-duty cleanup phase. Trees, boats, and cars are strewn around neighborhood yards. Only heavy equipment can remove such obstacles. As the name suggests, these vehicles will sink in the mud and, they themselves, will become just another obstacle.

Waiting for the land to dry hard is not an option. People need to get back into their homes and begin to rebuild their personal lives.

In our previous post Neighbors Become First Responders When Weather Conditions are Severe,  we recognize that immediately after the the disaster hits, neighbors are helping neighbors as best they can with the tools and equipment they have. But, as the water recedes and the renovations begin, heavy equipment is needed to clean up the incredible devastation. The challenge is how to allow the heavy equipment to operate in such a raw environment.

One solution is Ground Protection Mats. These rugged mats are made of 1/2" thick recycled polyethylene. They are virtually indestructible. They can withstand vehicles weighing up to 120 tons. These mats bend but do not break in record cold and heat.

AlturnaMATS is a major brand. They are available smooth on one side or smooth on both sides. These mats are ideal for removing debris from dirt areas. They are made of rugged 1/2" thick recycled polyethylene with a bold cleat design for great traction

With Ground Protection Mats, the recovery and renovation crews can build a roadway or working platform in minutes, leaving the turf smooth, even in soft conditions

Another alternative is to use plywood. But, with Ground Protection Mats, there are no splinter or warping issues resulting from water logged plywood.

If you would like to learn more about methods and products to assist in working in wet soggy areas, contact us at Traffic Safety Direct. We love to share our experience.