In late August and early September, back-to-back Atlantic hurricanes Harvey and Irma pummeled parts of the Southeast, including Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and Georgia.

The historic and catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey devastated parts of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana, which received as much as 50 inches or more of rain in just a few days. Meanwhile, Hurricane Irma demolished Caribbean communities before making landfall in Florida. At the time this issue went to print, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma were responsible for 83 and 84 total deaths, respectively, as well as hundreds of billions of dollars in damage.

But Harvey and Irma, as destructive as they were, also brought out the best in people, including the plumbing community, which will continue to play a vital role in rebuilding the infrastructure in the areas most affected by these storms.

The aftermath of Harvey

In the immediate aftermath of Harvey in late August, Glenn Rex, executive vice president of MCA of Texas, said he was on the phone with the organization’s Houston members and local union partners for days, checking in on members and assessing damage.

“This has been an historic event,” he said. “For four days it rained and rained. Rain totals are in the range of 35 inches to more than 50 inches in that period. Remarkably, all of the members’ offices, warehouses and fab shops are intact with no storm or flood damage, and both of the Pipefitters and Plumbers union halls, and each of the JATC facilities, are also all intact.

“I’ve been contacted by a number of peers organizations around the country who would like to contribute to the recovery,” Rex added. “I, and we, appreciate that spirit and support.”

Immediately after the storm, Glenn Fuller, president and co-owner of Texas Plumbing Supply, PM’s 2016 Supply House of the Year winner, said they were “hanging — floating — in there.” The company has four locations in the Houston area, including two in Houston and one near Hobby Airport, which was underwater during the storm. “We will be back — bigger, better, stronger,” he added.

Milton Frank of Milton Frank Plumbing & Cooling in Spring, Texas, said they were “blessed that everyone at MFP and our family [had] no flooded homes,” and all was good at his shop. And though some in the area were without electricity and water following the storm, compared with others, “we are OK,” he said.

Stepping up to help

Alicia Dover, executive director of PHCC of Texas, said the organization’s members quickly banded together to help not only their employees but the communities at large.

“I heard of members using their own boats to help with the rescue effort,” she said. “Several provided tools and other items to help. And, so many are just assisting their own employees who have been affected.”

Immediately following the storm, many PHCC of Texas contractor members’ businesses were closed, and a few were damaged by the historic flooding. Meanwhile, employers scrambled to contact and locate all of their employees and ensure their safety.

“This is huge, folks,” Dover wrote in an email update to PHCC of Texas members during the storm. “Our thoughts and prayers go to all of you in these affected areas. The fallout will be tremendous.”

“PHCC is like a family,” PHCC – National Association outgoing President Patrick Wallner added. “Everyone is always ready to help out when other members need assistance.”

Mark Baker, president of field operations for Houston-based Direct Energy, the parent company of One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, Mister Sparky Electric and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, said their employees have really come together in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

“This storm barreled our city, and we’re still dealing with the aftereffects on a personal and business level,” Baker said. “However, I’m proud to say that Direct Energy continued to provide the support needed for our franchisees while also prioritizing the safety of our employees and their families. It’s a testament to our commitment to provide best-in-class customer service across our brands.”

Rex said MCA of Texas members really went above and beyond during the storm.

“Houstonians, including some of our members and their employees, were among those out there in shallow draft boats rescuing people who were caught in the rising waters, or organizing relief efforts for people displaced into the many shelters set up around the area,” he said. “We have a remarkable can-do attitude in this city. As we get past this event, I do not look for it to keep people down for long and do expect there to be great camaraderie built from it.”

Harold MacDowell, CEO of TDIndustries, a mechanical contractor with 2,400 employees across eight locations in Texas and Arizona, including 370 in the Houston area, said their No. 1 priority during and immediately after Hurricane Harvey was making sure their employees were safe and accounted for. Then, they could begin helping.

“We had 30 employees who became first responders and had to remain downtown for the first five days of the storm,” MacDowell said. “These employees stayed to help our clients with operations and maintenance of city facilities, including the George R. Brown Convention Center, which housed 10,000 refugees. We also support key city buildings like the 911 Call Center. We paid our entire workforce in Houston for the storm week since our office and jobsites were closed.”

TDIndustries Partners also began assisting customers immediately following the storm and allocated employees to the areas hardest hit.

“We’ve been working hard to coordinate efforts to have our service and facilities partners available where they are needed,” MacDowell said. “We will continue to provide engineering, construction, operation and maintenance services to the hospitals, data centers, schools and businesses to get the Houston economy going again. Our list of employees from outside Houston who want to go volunteer is growing daily.

“It’s inspiring to see how a common enemy like a storm disaster can pull everyone together and open hearts, minds and wallets,” he said, adding that while “blue skies and sunshine lift all spirits and create hope, there is a long way to go for many.”

Editor’s Note: Reeves Journal Chief Editor Jack Sweet contributed to this report.

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