Window Film Businesses Returning to Normal Following Irma

Window Film Businesses Returning to Normal Following Irma

September 13th, 2017 by Katherine Coig

Hurricane Irma battered Florida on Sunday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and impacting the state’s window film industry. On Monday morning, Irma was downgraded to a tropical storm. 

According to Reuters, catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide estimated that the storm did about $20 billion to $40 billion in damage in Florida, lower than previous estimates that it would cause more than $100 billion in damages. Prior to making landfall in the U.S., Irma caused billions in damage across the Caribbean last week, where it killed 38 people.

Madico, which has a facility in St. Petersburg, Fla., reported its employees made it through the storm unscathed, however, many are still without power.

“The shop I work next to, Tint King, had no power despite it being on the corner of the busiest intersection in Palm Beach County,” said Gary Benoit, technical support for Solar Gard. “They had a generator, though, so they did do some work. There was no power at my office, so I worked from home.”

Benoit, who works remotely from Palm Beach, Fla., said operations have returned to normal at his office, but 35 percent of the county is still without power.

“We are okay. It was the worst experience of any storm I’ve ever been through in my life,” said Jeremiah Beinko, installer at Auto Safe and Sound in Tampa. “It was terrifying … but, I’m safe and so is my home. We lost more than 10 big trees on my property.”

Irma made its way to Georgia by Monday, causing power outages, heavy rainfall and downed trees. Though Irma had been downgraded to a tropical storm, nearly 1.5 million Georgians lost power and approximately 700,000 residents are still in the dark, according to the latest figures from CNN.

ref: http://www.windowfilmmag.com/2017/09/window-film-businesses-returning-to-normal-following-irma/

Harvey Damages Window Film Businesses on Texas Coast

Harvey Damages Window Film Businesses on Texas Coast

August 30th, 2017 by Katherine Coig

Hurricane Harvey, now downgraded to a tropical storm, pounded southeastern Texas throughout the week with devastating rainfall that has yet to cease in some areas. Parts of Houston have seen more than 50 inches of rain—an historic amount for the state that’s caused possibly the worst flooding ever seen in the U.S.

The New York Times reported that so far, Texas officials have confirmed at least 30 people have died and “many others injured and untold numbers of homes and businesses flooded, damaged or destroyed on both the coast and far further inland.”

Harry Rahman, national director, business development of Houston-based Huper Optik, reported that the company’s employees are doing okay so far, but the extent of the damage will remain unknown until the flood waters recede.

“The city is devastated, and times are tough,” Rahman says. “CNN reported about 30-40 [inches of rain], but I think it’s going to be a lot more, as the extent of damage will continue to be uncovered once the dust settles. Many prayers, donations and a lot of support for each other is going to get us through this.”

Dave Duensing, owner of Texas Glass & Solar Control in The Woodlands, Texas, says both of his facilities (one of which was still under construction), received at least three to four feet of water, and it is rising.

“We will rebuild and be stronger,” says Duensing. “Our employees are all fine, but we have some flooded trucks also.”

According to an early estimate cited by Bloomberg, damages from Harvey may cost as much as $30 billion. That estimate could go up as the storm makes its way into Louisiana.

Source: http://www.windowfilmmag.com/2017/08/harvey-damages-window-film-businesses-on-texas-coast/