Archived Storm Damage Blog Posts
Big Or Small, When It Comes To Storms, We Help With Them All
10/4/2022 (Permalink)
Whether it is a tree blown over onto a 10 year old home, or a city leveled by an EF4 tornado, SERVPRO is here to help folks recover when storms damage their homes or businesses.
SERVPRO of East Louisville crews are ready to be dispatched all over the country to assist in the cleanup and restoration after major flooding, strong storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and any other event that causes damage to property.
While it can be a stressful time for homeowners and/or business owners in the aftermath of a flash flood, tornado or hurricane, it doesn’t have to be! SERVPRO derails with these types of disasters every single day and can help to walk you through even the most complex storm damage scenario.
Our crews are HERE to HELP and make things “Like it never even happened." We treat each job with respect and do our very best to keep the customer informed every step of the way.
SERVPRO of East Louisville is proud to be a part of the Disaster Recovery Team!
Be Prepared for Disaster
9/26/2022 (Permalink)
As our country has been faced with the recent flooding in Texas with Hurricane Harvey and now in Florida with Hurricane Irma SERVPRO of East Louisville feels that we should prepare for the effects we are sure to feel locally in our state. Here is a list of things you should be prepared for ahead of time.
- First of all, you should recognize the flood risk in your area by identifying the flood prone areas around you.
- You should know your communities warning signals, evacuation routes and emergency shelter locations.
- During storms that cause flooding stay tuned to the local weather stations.
- You should have emergency supplies ready ahead of time.
- Before evacuation, you should be sure to turn off the electric, gas, and water.
- If you decide to stay in your homes be sure to unplug appliances and electronics so that if the water reaches the outlets you can avoid electrical shock and fire.
- One of the most important things you need to remember, is NEVER to walk or drive through high water. People forget how easy it is for moving water to sweep people and cars away.
Safety is the first priority. After the storm, remember that SERVPRO is here to help you get your life back in order.
If Your Sump Pump Ain't Pumping - Now Is The Time To Call SERVPRO!
6/14/2022 (Permalink)
Today SERVPRO received a called about a sump pump failure in a customers home. Sump pumps don't last forever, aside from electrical interruptions the sump pump has a life expectancy of only 10 years.
We arrived on site and most of the water had already dried up but the customer was very aware of the risk of mold after standing water has been in your home even if it was a short period of time. After the water was extracted SERVPRO placed several dehumidifiers and air movers in the basement to pull all of the moisture out of the air to prevent any possibility of mold becoming a problem for the customer. Sump pump failures are more common than people think, SERVPRO suggests people perform regular maintenance by regularly pouring a bucket of water in it to make sure it start immediately, making sure the vent hole is clear with no blockages, and making sure all pipes are tightly connected.
Another option to make sure the battery isn't a concern is "deep cycle batteries" they are made to use a steady amount of energy over a long period of time so they are less likely to fail as quickly.
If Your Tree Falls On Your Next Door Neighbor's House - What Happens Next?
6/14/2022 (Permalink)
What Happens If Your Tree Falls on Your Neighbor's House?
In most cases, if your tree falls on your neighbor’s property, they will need to make a claim on their home’s insurance policy. If you were notified the tree needed to be removed before it actually fell and caused damage, you would then need to file a liability claim on your insurance
SERVPRO® can handle emergency tree removal safely and quickly. We ensure that your property is secure by performing any tarp and board-up services needed. Remember After any storm damage or water damage situation in Louisville, your primary focus should be safety first:
• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!
As a trusted leader in the water damage restoration industry, SERVPRO has highly trained technicians that are dedicated to responding faster to any size disaster. We provide 24-hour emergency service and have the training and expertise to handle your restoration and cleaning needs. "Like it never happened". Contact us for more information.
Have Questions? Call Us Today – (502) 897-3608
Storm & Water Prevention Matters
5/9/2022 (Permalink)
Water damage is very unpredictable and usually leaves the customer with costly repairs. While many homes and buildings are protected against fire damage by installing fire alarms and detectors, only few have protected their properties against water damage. What makes it worse is that water damage, oftentimes, is unrecognizable until the damage caused is already huge. The best way to prevent water damage and costly repair services, it is important to protect yourself, your home, and your business against it by following the tips below.
- Perform regular inspections and maintenance on your plumbing systems
- Repair and protect your home or building’s exterior
- Winterize any exterior water shutoff valves each winter to protect from frozen pipes.
Finally, in case water has penetrated your home, the best option to take is to call a professional water damage repair services to minimize the damage caused. SERVPRO of East Louisville has professional tools and water extraction systems that can quickly remove water inside your home or building and prevent the damage from spreading.
When Disaster Strikes, SERVPRO Is At Our Best!
5/8/2022 (Permalink)
Imagine coming into work early in the morning...as you approach the entrance to the front door, water and mud are seeping out. It's a scenario that plays out throughout cities in America daily, and in most cases businesses are left with a massive cleanup, and questions as to when business will resume as normal.
Recently this scenario was a reality for a Christian childcare center and SERVPRO of East Louisville was there to help. The facility manager had arrived at his normal time to open the childcare center for the day. When he approached the entrance he could see water and mud pouring out from under the front door. That's when he realized that almost the entire building had been affected.
A water line underneath the building running to one of the bathrooms had burst, pushing up mud and water from under the building. A total of seven rooms were flooded. SERVPRO of East Louisville was task with extracting water from all the rooms, removing affected contents, pulling cove base, and removing all carpet and pad.
Once all of the wet content had been removed, the drying process began. Over 40 air movers and 8 dehumidifiers were set up to ensure all moisture was eliminated. Then we disinfected every room and cleaned all the contents to insure it was safe to open back up to the public.
Does your business or property have a plan of action in place for when the unexpected happens? If not contact SERVPRO of East Louisville and ask about our complimentary service known as an E.R.P (Emergency Ready Plan).
Flash Floods Can Happen & Can Be Very Dangerous
4/10/2022 (Permalink)
Freak storm wasn’t only cause of flooding in Granite City. Here are the other problems.
SERVPRO of East Louisville sent a Storm Team to Granite City, Illinois to help cleanup after a freak storm sent flash flooding throughout the city. Our crews are working hard to remove water, mud and other debris from homes after the flood waters rose out of control. We specialize in this sort of cleanup and our crews are ready to help anyone affected by the water/storms.
Read the full article regarding the flash flooding in Granite City HERE.
"Flash floods that closed roads and delayed the start of the school year in Granite City are being blamed on the perfect storm: torrential rain, an outdated and inadequate storm drainage system, and political finger pointing.
A thunderstorm dropped between 5 and 7 inches of rain on the central and northern areas of Granite City Sunday night and into Monday morning, flooding the city and turning its roads into waterways. The southern part of the city received roughly 4 inches of rain.
“There was a deluge of water in a short time and the area couldn’t drain fast enough,” Madison County Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. “It was storm on top of storm.”
Do You Remember When Two Massive Storms Hit The U.S. in 2018?
4/8/2022 (Permalink)
Back in 2018, two of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States in many years. While both were devastating, they were destructive in different ways. Hurricane Florence dropped almost 36 inches of rain in the Carolina’s causing extensive flooding statewide. Hurricane Michael brought winds upwards of 155 mph, devastating the Florida panhandle with damages that flattened some areas.
SERVPRO of East Louisville was called to help people affected in both states just weeks apart. The SERVPRO Storm Teams were activated to assist in the clean-up of these areas. With the water damaged caused by Florence, getting the water extracted and the drying process started was priority one for the team. This allowed the customers to return home safely, mitigating the risk to their health. As for Michael, this storm brought a number of different issues for the SERVPRO Storm Team to face. The wind was the main issue so getting roofs tarped was the first priorty, and debris had to be cleared before mitigation could begin.
While both storms proved to be a challenge, the professionals of SERVPRO of East Louisville showed compassion and professionalism that will be felt for years to come.
Winter Storms Can Cause More Damage Than You Think!
12/13/2021 (Permalink)
Don't forget to CALL SERVPRO so we can assist in the cleanup from a frozen pipe.
You might think that storms are only common during hurricane season or the rainy months. This isn't the case because storm events can happen in the winter. Polar vortex and ice storms cause major damages each year to homes and businesses because of frozen pipes. Frozen pipes that burst can cause water damage quickly and can be tricky to clean up due to the freezing temperatures.
You might know already how to prevent frozen pipes. If not, please take a moment to review this site. However, have you ever thought about how to thaw a frozen pipe?
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. “If you suspect the pipes are frozen, be careful when thawing them out because if the pipe has already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood your home,” says John Galeotafiore, who oversees Consumer Reports’ testing of home products and power gear.
If a pipe has broken, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve, which is usually at the water meter or where the main line enters the house. If the water is still running and no pipes have burst, you can take the following steps. (Of course, if you suspect a more serious problem, call a plumber.)
Turn on the faucet. As you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to be able to flow through. Running water through the pipe, as cold as it is, will help melt ice in the pipe.
Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. As tempting as it may be, do not use a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any device with an open flame; the high heat can damage the pipes or even start a fire.
Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. Check all other faucets in your home to see whether you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
Don't forget to CALL SERVPRO so we can assist in the cleanup from a frozen pipe.
SERVPRO Is Here To Help No Matter The Day or Time!
11/30/2021 (Permalink)
So when your personal disaster hits your family, call a company that cares like SERVPRO of East Louisville.
SERVPRO of East Louisville is ready to handle any disaster, but sometimes the word disaster is relative. We usually think of disasters as wide spread events but that’s not always the case. Recently, SERVPRO received a call from a customer who had a tree root invade their French drain, causing significant water damage in his basement. To this gentleman this was a disaster, however those of us at SERVPRO see damage like this constantly. Realizing how this event affected this customer’s life SERVPRO treated this situation with great care and empathy because to our client it was his personal disaster.
The crew of SERVPRO of East Louisville showed up at 1:30 am ready to start the mitigation process. We started by extracting the water and cutting out the wet carpet and pad. Once the carpet was removed they set air movers and dehumidifiers so the drying process could begin. Three days later our customer’s life was back to normal and SERVPRO of East Louisville helped another satisfied customer.
So when your personal disaster hits your family, call a company that cares like SERVPRO of East Louisville.
Here To Help - SERVPRO of East Louisville
11/30/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of East Louisville, specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.
SERVPRO of East Louisville, specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our teams are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its previous condition.
We are locally owned and operated, which means we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is very important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
When storms hits, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from any and all of our franchises across the country.
You can rest assured that we are HERE TO HELP when a disaster strikes in East Louisville. We've helped many customers over the years after the Ohio River flooding, tornadoes, wind storms, ice storms, and etc.
What SERVPRO Does For Storms
11/10/2021 (Permalink)
Storm team on the scene
Storms have become stronger and more severe over the years. However, thanks to the technology available today we know a storm is coming and we prepare the best we can and it still isn’t enough. Neighborhoods, cities, towns and even states are displaced by storms. When a storm event occurs all resources are stretched to the breaking point including shelter, food, and water. These are just the basic of necessities that are hard to take care immediately following a devastated storm.
We at SERVPRO have teams all over the country who are called Storm Teams. These Storm Teams have the equipment, manpower and knowledge to hit the ground running to help clean up and restore after a disaster.
Our corporate office does a great job of dispatching our Storm Teams to right place so that we can help communities get back on their feet. SERVPRO works with the people, insurance companies and authorities to get the area back to normal as quickly as possible.
When you see the next storm headed to a city rest assured SERVPRO is ready to respond where we are needed.
Have Storm Damage? SERVPRO is HERE to HELP!
11/10/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO works hard to help make it "Like it never even happened." Call Us Today (502) 897-3608!
If you have storm damage, SERVPRO of East Louisville is HERE TO HELP. We part of the SERVPRO Storm Team and we are available 24/7 with manpower and equipment. Whether you have water damage from flash flooding, structural damage from high winds, or smoke damage from a lightening fire we are here to help.
Our trained staff at SERVPRO of East Louisville are here to assess the situation and stabilize your structure. We can help you find the resources you need to quickly clean up any situation whether you have a large tree that has come down, or a roof that needs repaired. We are able to bring in large equipment if needed to solve any problem. We are here to help be that resource for you in your time of need when a disaster happens. You can turn to SERVPRO of East Louisville and know that we value you and your property. We know that your family and/or business are important to you and it is important to get things back to normal quickly. We work hard to help make it "Like it never even happened."
Have Storm or Flood Damage?
Call Us Today (502) 897-3608
No Disaster Is Too Big For SERVPRO!
9/29/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO can call upon special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country - no disaster is too big!
The SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team can provide help whether you're dealing with a tornado, hurricane, blizzard or flood. The SERVPRO System has a network of strategically positioned storm teams on standby should a disaster strike near you. Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are prepared for the unpredictable.
SERVPRO of East Louisville is always on standby in the event of disaster anywhere in the United States. We are always ready, willing, and able to assist those in need when catastrophes happen. Thats one benefit homeowners and businesses receive when they utilize SERVPRO of East Louisville when a catastrophe happens here locally. We have the resources to call in our storm team to handle the volume of calls that massive storms produce.
With the ability to mobilize local command centers, along with the resources of more than 1,700 Franchises nationwide, no disaster is too big. Recent mobilizations of the Catastrophic Storm Response Teams include:
- 2017 Harvey & Irma
- 2017 Findlay Ohio Floods
- 2016 Houston Floods
- 2016 Matthew
- 2016 Denham Springs Louisiana
- 2014 Polar Vortex
- 2012 Sandy
- 2010 Nashville floods
- 2008 Ike
- 2007 Chicago floods
- 2007 Ohio floods
- 2007 California wildfires
- 2005 Katrina/Wilma/Rita
How to prevent frozen pipes
2/5/2021 (Permalink)
The weather in Louisville, Kentucky is going to be below freezing for an extended period of time. This could mean disaster is around the corner for your home or business without the proper preparations to avoid frozen pipes.
Did you know more water damages are caused by broken pipes, plumbing, or appliance malfunctions, than from weather-related issues? A frozen water line can cause your pipes to burst and cause extreme damage to your home.
Be sure to get ahead of the winter season by prepping your home. Here are some tips and tricks to preventing your pipes from freezing and/or bursting.
- Keep your home at a reasonably heated temperature.
- Place fans around your home to help circulate warm air into the cooler areas in the home.
- On colder days consider keeping doors on and cabinetry or closets that contain exposed pipes open so that the warm air can reach them.
- Be sure to disconnect your garden hose, I don’t think you’ll be needing it any time soon.
- In places where water flow is reduced turn the faucet on & apply heat to the vulnerable pipes using a hairdryer. As the pipe heats up any ice will melt and in turn, the water flow will increase.
Avoid freezing pipes. Lastly, if this does happen to you do not wait! Call SERVPRO of East Louisville to come out and take care of your remediation needs! 502-244-7985
Penn Wynne Presbyterian Church
12/15/2020 (Permalink)
On August 6th 2020, the SERVPRO Storm Team at SERVPRO of East Louisville went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for hurricane Isaias. Isaias was category 2 storm and in Philadelphia there was more flood damage than any other type of damage.
Flood damage means the SERVPRO teams would start by assessing the damage and see if the walls, carpet, hardwood floors, or anything else is reading wet with a moisture meter. The team would either tear out the damaged materials, or they dry them in place.
Storm is a great opportunity to travel the United States and to help people that need it most. In Philadelphia there was a church that was the biggest job we had down there it was called Penn Wynne Presbyterian Church. They were the nicest people we have ever met and even though we were away from home they made it feel like we were a little bit closer to home.
Storm Team Franchise of the Year
11/24/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of East Louisville is proud to announce that we have been named Storm Team Franchise of the Year from SERVPRO Corporate. We are proud of the work we have done this year, and in year's past, on Storm Team. Our crews have stepped up and traveled for many weeks at a time to assist in the cleanup and restoration following all of the hurricane storms in 2020.
This year our franchise has responded to the following storms:
May: Chicago (Flash Flooding after multiple days in a row of record rainfall)
July: Philadelphia (Tropical Storm Fay)
August-Current: Lake Charles (Hurricane Laura)
Below is a review from a happy customer following Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles.
"Our home was affected by Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta and this SERVPRO team came to our rescue. Their manager Rhett was easy to not only get a hold of, but quick to respond to any questions or assistance we needed. The on-site manager Jared was wonderful as well. Jared and the job foreman Zach took the time to explain the process and answer any questions I had. Which admittedly I had a lot of questions. I appreciated their team's patience with me. SERVPRO's team of Braxton, Jordan and Tony were also extremely friendly and professional. I have and will continue to recommend this SERVPRO crew to others."
Jessica Hardesty
Storm Team finds refuge in an unlikely place
11/17/2020 (Permalink)
There are still good people in the world! This is something we constantly need to remind ourselves of during the craziness of 2020. When our owner, Jason Wilson, spoke to our team of production workers about going on Storm Team following Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, La there was no hesitation! Our team of production crew chiefs and technicians rose to the call for help and headed to Louisiana immediately to begin relief efforts.
Upon arrival our crews were assigned to a job for a kind woman who needed our help. What was most astonishing is this kind woman decided to help our crews as well. As you might not be aware of, it is nearly impossible to find shelter following a hurricane. Our crews did not have a place to stay due to the fact that most displaced people were already filling the hotels. This kind woman took us in and gave us a warm place to sleep and hot meals to eat.
Showing kindness in the midst of her own tragedy following the hurricane is something our crews will never forget.
Ready to Roll
9/8/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of East Louisville answered the call from the Storm Team at corporate headquarters to help the residents and business owners in Lake Charles following Hurricane Laura.
Our crews started loading up equipment and supplies right away so they could get on the road quickly to help with the cleanup and restoration.
If you're wondering how our employees treat customers on storm please take a look at the below review from a happy customer.
"Thank you so much!!!! The SERVPRO of East Louisville responded to our church in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, during the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias. From the very first contact it was clear that we made the right decision calling SERVPRO. Many in our congregation, myself included, believe that this teams response was divinely ordained and we were blessed to have them. Jared Topper, and his team, really went out of their way to make sure we knew what was going to happen, before it happened, keeping us up to date and really working as a partner, not as a contractor. Jared worked directly with our insurance company ensuring areas of damage were covered that I would have been unaware of had he not been present and paying attention. I was completely comfortable leaving the crew unattended in our church and school. Every time I came to the site, Austin Schoen was easy to find and always had a smile. I lost count of the number of times he helped me walk Trustee members, elected officials and other contractors through the building helping me to articulate the damage and filling in the blanks as I needed. The crew members, in addition to being highly skilled were also very respectful and courteous of the space they were working in and this meant a lot to our teaching staff and church members. SERVPRO was in our building for one week and when they left the space was left clean and ready for the next phase of our recovery efforts. While I would never want to experience a flood like this again, should we every be in a situation requiring assistance again we will absolutely be calling SERVPRO. God bless you all!!!!"
Hurricane Laura
9/8/2020 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of East Louisville answered the call for help from the Storm Team at our SERVPRO corporate headquarters. Our crews immediately began gathering the supplies necessary to get on the road quickly so we could begin helping those affected by the strong hurricane in Lake Charles.
SERVPRO of East Louisville is proud to be part of the Storm Team because we pride ourselves on helping others in their time of need. Our technicians have been trained to go above and beyond to help ease the minds of our customers. We do our best to save as many precious belongings as we can, and we make sure their home or business is dried out and cleaned up so they can get back to normal as soon as possible.
Going on storm can be a large task to organize, but our team has been doing this for many years and we know what it takes to get on the road quickly and help as many people as possible.
Frozen Pipes
1/30/2020 (Permalink)
Frozen pipes can cause big problems but there are steps you can take to reduce some of the stress and worry of that happening in your home or business.
Short-Term Steps for Preventing Frozen Pipes
Installing a Foam Faucet Cover. If you don't have much time to prepare, there are still steps you can take to protect your pipes. These measures help reduce the risk from subfreezing temperatures:
- Find your main water shutoff so you can turn off the water quickly if needed. Locations vary — look in the crawlspace or basement where the water supply enters the house, inside a water meter box directly outside the house or near the water heater.
- Disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets to prevent water from freezing in the hose and rupturing the faucet. Drain the hoses and, if possible, store them where they will be protected from cold weather.
- If your exterior faucets have cut-off valves, close them and drain the faucets. If they don't, insulate them with foam faucet covers.
- Close foundation vents.
- Fix broken basement windows.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air flow around the supply lines. Move any cleaners or other chemicals out of the reach of children.
- Keep your thermostat at the daytime setting during the night. If you'll be away for several days during subfreezing weather, keep it set above 55° F.
There may be other areas around your home that need attention. Irrigation systems, swimming pool supply lines and devices in unheated garages — such as washing machines, water softeners and pressure washers — are at risk. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for winterization. Information provided from https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/frozen-pipes-prevention-and-repair
Ice Storm Damage in East Louisville
11/16/2018 (Permalink)
Earlier this week Louisville got its first frost and snow of the year. With the pretty snow comes a lot of unexpected problems. SERVPRO of East Louisville received several calls about branches falling through roofs due to the weight of the ice that fell overnight. SERVPRO went out to the homes and put tarps on the effected rooftops to prevent anymore interior damage from being done. We also set up air movers to dry out any areas with water damage such as hardwood flooring to prevent it from buckling, and then started the steps necessary to repair the roofs. The best way to prevent this from happening is to make sure all of the trees around your home are well maintained and trimmed so that there are no branches hanging over your home.
Hurricane Michael hits Panama City, FL and we are HERE TO HELP!
11/1/2018 (Permalink)
Blue tarps on roofs dot the landscape of buildings and homes that are left standing. The sound of chainsaws cutting threw down trees, and mountains of debris dragged out to curbs on every street in town. These are the sights and sounds of the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. This monster storm ravaged the city of Panama City, Florida with winds up to 155 mph. Thick tree trunks snapped 12 feet off the ground, boats and marinas destroyed, and beaches that once bustled with tourists are now littered with debris and memories of broken lives.
Volunteers and storm teams from across the nation embark on the task of resurrecting this city as it embraces the long journey back to normalcy. This is where we find the storm teams that SERVPRO of East Louisville sent down to the Florida panhandle over two weeks ago. SERVPRO is part of an elite team that is deployed when catastrophic events happen across the nation. With calls coming into the local franchise in Panama City at a fever pace it's impossible for one office to handle all the clients who need our services. SERVPRO of East Louisville, along with other SERVPROs from across America will be there for this community as the recovery process continues. SERVPRO is helping out the citizens of Panama City because we know at some point we may be depending on our SERVPRO brothers and sisters to help us if and when a crisis arrives.
Strong Storms hit Jefferson County
7/31/2018 (Permalink)
It is now mid summer in East Louisville and for the past few months all has been relatively quiet as far as strong storms and severe winds are concerned.
However, last Friday some very strong storms hit our community, SERVPRO was ready to jump into action where we were needed. The storm we experienced was spawned tornadoes, larger than golf ball size hail, lightening, strong winds and flash flooding.
We at SERVPRO want to make sure everyone is prepared as possible when these storms occur without much notice. Please make sure cell phones are always charged with SERVPRO's number (502) 897-3608, fresh working batteries in your flash lights, some cash on hand if you are able, a few gallons of fresh drinking water, and a working weather radio. These are just a few tips that could help keep your family, and loved ones, safe during storms.
Time is very important if flooding occurs to prevent more loss in your home, business, call us at SERVPRO of East Louisville (502) 897-3608 so we can put things back together, "Like it never even happened."
The Flood of 2018 and The Louisville Boat Club
5/30/2018 (Permalink)
For over 140 years The Louisville Boat Club has stood as one of the nations oldest organized clubs. With all the amenities, this private club has been home to tennis, swimming, squash, and boating enthusiasts for years. Gazing out from the front steps of the clubhouse one can enjoy a beautiful Ohio river sunset, or pass the time watching river boat traffic flow east to west. But life on the river can turn from serene and pleasant, to dangerous and destructive when heavy rains and flooding happen. Such was the case when SERVPRO of East Louisville was called into assist The Louisville Boat Club, during the floods that occurred in late February 2018.
Being less than 150 yards from the Ohio River, The Louisville Boat Club has always been susceptible to flooding, and over the years the river has threatened the club many times. On February 23rd the Louisville Metro area received a massive amount of rainfall that caused the Ohio River to rise to historical levels. In no time The Louisville Boat Club found itself engulfed by the river. Staff members inspected the damage initially by boat, and they knew with over 12 feet of water inside the clubhouse they had a long road ahead of them. SERVPRO of East Louisville responded on March 2nd after the Ohio had receded, and the initial cleanup began.
SERVPRO of East Louisville arrived with our 2 Storm Trailers filled with over 70 air movers and 30 dehumidifiers. With the scope of the job being so massive SERVPRO sent 2 Project Managers, 4 Crew Chiefs, and over 40 workers to begin the process of restoring the property back to pre-flood conditions. Since we were dealing with Category 3 water (river water) it was a must to protect the health and safety of our crew. Each crew member was outfitted with a PPE suit which protects the body from exposure to harmful substances and material.
Once everyone was in position and had the right protective suits on we began clearing the parking lots of mud and debris. Fire hoses that were donated from the St, Matthews Fire Dept. were used to clean the parking lots and Bobcats were utilized to move mud and heavy material. While crews were busy cleaning the outside of the clubhouse with pressure washers other crews were inside making 4 ft flood cuts to affected drywall and ripping out carpet and other non-salvageable materials. Dehumidifiers and air movers were set up throughout the clubhouse to insure that proper drying techniques were employed.
Crews also worked pulling affected paneling and insulation in the indoor tennis facility, pressure washed the pool house, and had to do some light demo work to the squash courts in order to restore them back to regulation. SERVPRO of East Louisville spent over 2 weeks onsite to help restore The Louisville Boat Club back to the way it was before the floods. With the springtime rains upon us call SERVPRO with any flooding or water issues.
February showers bring flooding to Kentucky
4/24/2018 (Permalink)
They say April showers bring May flowers, except in The Ohio Valley. In this case, February showers brought record rainfall to our area, which resulted in massive flooding. The professionals at SERVPRO of East Louisville were called in to help clean up what was left over from the flooding.
While in the middle of numerous current jobs, a priority service agreement customer called in with four inches of water in their basement. We put a crew right on the job to help get them back to normal. The priority service agreement was the reason why this customer did not have to wait in the LONG line of jobs that were piling up from the 300+ calls our office received after the flood. This job carried an added problem seeing that this church had a food bank in the basement that provides vital needs to the community. Because of the priority service agreement we were able to put them back to pre-flood conditions in a short amount of time allowing them the opportunity to do the work the community so desperately needs.
SERVPRO Storm vs Hurricane Irma
10/3/2017 (Permalink)
Business Development Representative, Tammy Cochran, went to Miami in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma to assist in the cleanup efforts. This was her first Storm Team experience with SERVPRO of East Louisville. Below you will have a chance to learn first hand what our franchise does to assist with the cleanup process following a hurricane.
"When the owner ask me to go to Miami Beach following Hurricane Irma I was not prepared for the devastation and challenging work that I would encounter. We arrived at the home of a customer that had called us in the middle of the hurricane, this man was so overwhelmed with exhaustion and emotion that he burst into tears the minute we walked through the door. He and his wife had worked hard during the hurricane to keep the water damage to a minimum, but in the end, they were able to save their important possessions but the carpet and rugs were lost due to water damage. Our team of certified technicians from SERVPRO were able to have his condo clear of debris, treated for mold and mildew, dry and ready for contractors to come in to replace the carpet within 72 hours.
I was so proud to be a part of our team. Just to see these guys step into action and help this family start to put their life back in order was an amazing experience. SERVPRO was able to help 51 families during our two weeks in Miami Beach.
I used to think that I wanted to live by the beach but Hurricane Irma has shown me the damage the beautiful ocean can cause to property. I now know the beach is a wonderful place to visit, but not a place for me to live.
One thing you can be sure of, the next time a Storm Team is called up – this girl will be ready to push her sleeves and get to work helping our customer recover."
--Tammy Cochran, Business Development
Hurricane Storm Cleanup and Restoration
9/14/2017 (Permalink)
The recent disasters of hurricane Harvey and Irma have left Texas and Florida with flooding of epic proportions. The outpouring of help given by average citizens is an inspiration to us all. However, what happens after the floods recede and people go back to their flood ravaged homes? This is where the professionals at SERVPRO of East Louisville come in to help cleanup and restore the damaged property and belongings. Our local franchise has sent Storm Team Crews to both Texas and Florida to help with the cleanup efforts. These crews focus on residential and commercial properties to help owners get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible. With the large network of SERVPRO franchises across the United States you can be sure that when a flood strikes we will have a team there to take on the most difficult of challenges. When flood waters take over your life trust the professionals at SERVPRO of East Louisville to put your property back The recent disasters of hurricane Harvey and Irma have left Texas and Florida with flooding of epic proportions. The outpouring of help given by average citizens is an inspiration to us all. However, what happens after the floods recede and people go back to their flood ravaged homes? This is where the professionals at SERVPRO of Southeast Jefferson County come in to help cleanup and restore the damaged property and belongings. Our local franchise has sent Storm Team Crews to both Texas and Florida to help with the cleanup efforts. These crews focus on residential and commercial properties to help owners get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible. With the large network of SERVPRO franchises across the United States you can be sure that when a flood strikes we will have a team there to take on the most difficult of challenges. When flood waters take over your life trust the professionals at SERVPRO of Southeast Jefferson County to put your property back "Like it never even happened."