Houston Called...We answered

9/14/2017 (Permalink)

Pray for Houston!

As we were just finishing up a storm event in Kansas City, Hurricane Harvey pounded the coast of Texas wreaking havoc particularly in Houston in surrounding areas.  Harvey brought rain and lots of it and the already saturated ground couldn't absorb anymore rain water and the city found its neighborhoods and industrial areas flooding...and badly. Rivers created, homes were underwater, roads impassable. People needed to be rescued from flooded areas, so volunteers came from near and far to do just that. They brought boats and jet skis and kayaks and life preservers and food supplies and water and baby items and they just came. Neighbors helped neighbors.

And then more help came. In our case it was a sea of green trucks that within hours of the SERVPRO Storm Team activation, franchises from all over the country loaded trucks with demo tools and drying equipment and cleaning products and they headed to Houston to do their part.

We were one of those many franchises that answered the call to come. Our crew in Kansas City finished up work there and headed to Houston. Our owner Chris Lamey and Production Manager Kyle Hamby left a day ahead of the crew and then another crew left the following day. We diligently started calling homeowners who had asked for our help and scheduled appointments with them. They were tired and worried and frustrated and homeless and hungry and they continued to say "I'm so thankful that help is on the way".

The logistics of getting around in Houston was difficult to put it lightly. Roads still closed due to flooding. Neighborhoods still under water. Supplies were limited. Gas stations ran out of gas. But somehow by the grace of God, we saw every homeowner on our list and offered help. Sometimes that meant full demo of a house and setting up drying equipment. Other times it might mean walking a homeowner through the process so that they can do it themselves.. We saw communities come together - churches, schools, football teams- and help each other.

Our crews worked until wee hours in the morning and get up and do it again until all the work is done.

With Kansas City and Houston SERVPRO Storm events, we have had crews out of our normal service area for a solid 2 months, yet still maintaining crews in the Anniston, Gadsden and Marshall County markets to assist our customers locally. It's definitely a balancing act but we wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

May God Bless all those who have experienced destruction in the form of storms, flooding and any damage to their homes as a result of something out of their control. May we be able to rise to the challenge each time we are called and ease the burden of each person we meet when we arrive. Proud to be part of this hardworking team.