Electricity Biggest Hurricane Ike Loss For Houston Fastener Companies

The loss of power was the biggest problem fastener companies reported from Hurricane Ike, which struck the Texas with 110 mph winds and a 12-foot storm surge on September 13, 2008. More than 1 million people evacuated the Texas coast. At least 61 deaths have been blamed on the hurricane and the storms it triggered throughout the Midwestern U.S.
Ed Decora of Ed’s Precision Manufacturing Ltd. reported the production team is “glad to be back at work” after more than a week without power. There was only minor damage to the building.
American Anchor Bolt was without power for a week and was “all pretty well” back to normal. The manufacturer had only minor water in its shop even though many nearby buildings had more damage. Neighbors were baffled by the remnants of a metal building, which nobody recognized.
Judy Jandl said Sigma Fasteners was without power for five days and suffered “a little roof leaking.”
Tex Thread Inc. lost power for two weeks and operated with generators.
The Heads & Threads International warehouse in Houston went two weeks without power but was still able to ship some fasteners. Phone calls were forwarded to the Dallas branch.
Star Stainless Screw Co. also shifted service to its suburban Dallas area branch as the Houston facility waited nearly two weeks for restoration of power.
Tony Farris of Zero Products Inc. felt lucky. Though Zero Products went eight days without power and had minor building damage, “We’ve seen places far worse,” Farris observed. The hurricane seemingly “passed us up” in comparison.
Another lucky fastener company was Nappco, where Todd Lindsley reported they never lost power and had no physical damage.
Vernon Achgill of The Nut Place had power by Tuesday after the Saturday hurricane. There was “a little flooding in one office,” Achgill reported.
Mike Abuhatoum of Lamons Gasket Company discovered close proximity to the airport may be an advantage. Lamons’ power was restored after one night and 75% of employees were at work on Monday. However Lamons’ branches in Freeport and Beaumont were temporarily closed, Abuhatoum said.
A problem for Lamons was supply. Several vendors “don’t have power and are operating from home and cells. They are trying their best.”
“We survived okay,” John Bamonte of Albritton-Groves Inc. said after one week without power. “Most people are up and running.”
The Southwestern Fastener Association was meeting in Colorado when the hurricane struck and executive director John Elsner waited at his daughter’s residence until September 25 for power to be restored.
Grant Fastener was without power for four days and – lacking phone service – Tommy Grant drove to customers to ask what fasteners they needed.
Fastener people were affected at home too. Grant’s home has seven oak trees, which “were left naked. There are no leaves in the trees.”
Neighbors took turns hosting meals so only one refrigerator or freezer would have to be opened per day.
Even when the power came back on and Grant opened the 1940s Philco icebox in his garage and found there was still a bit of hard ice.
The storm went far beyond Houston. The Ohio Insurance Institute estimated $500 million in damages from wind and rain moving north. With winds reaching 78 mph, the storm knocked out electrical service for 2.6 million customers in Ohio.
Wendy Rose of Blue Chip Engineered Products in Cincinnati reported the automotive fastener distributorship had no damage, but employees lost power in their homes for as much as a week. Days after the storm when Rose drove to the National Fastener Distributors Association meeting in Chicago, she was detoured off of Interstate 65 due to flooding. �2008 FastenerNews.com