Galveston Residents Becoming Victims All Over Again

By: Elizabeth K
Submitted: 2008-10-10 17:20:47
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When you think of flood damage, Galveston rarely comes to mind but perhaps it should have; after all, Galveston was the site of one of the most devastating storms in the history of this nation. Sadly, history has a way of repeating itself as the residents of Galveston know all too well. Weeks later, Galveston is still picking up the pieces of hurricane Ike as emergency flood repair crews still line the streets and families are left trying to start over.

Whether you were directly impacted by flood damage in Galveston or just want to help others, the weeks following a major crisis are often the most critical for several reasons. The donations have often stopped and the harsh reality has set in as people finally realize the full extent of the loss. After the initial stages of emergency flood repair, much of the hard work still remains. For example, removing and disposing of water damaged carpeting, furniture and other household items becomes a critical concern – and one that is easier said than done due to disruptions in transportation, communication and even electricity or access. Failure to remove contaminated items can lead to even further damage to homes or worse- exposure to mold, mildew and bacteria that can lead to illness or disease.

As if that wasn’t enough, even simple things in life can feel like a major ordeal; trying to make phone calls to insurance companies or find workers able to help clear debris becomes a major ordeal without proper phone service or constant disruptions. Waiting lists for repairs are extensive since many workers that live in the area are in the midst of their own crisis having been victims of the storm surge themselves. Each problem seems to compound the other; it’s essential to begin emergency flood repair as soon as possible but locating all the different resources, working around schedules and trying to deal with insurance in between the dozens of day-to-day issues required to get life back to normal become a tremendous challenge.

Perhaps the biggest problem of all knows who to trust in a time of need. Unscrupulous predators pretending to be “real” workers take advantage of desperate homeowners seeking help; all too often, the flood victim is now victimized again – this time by a human parasite willing to take advantage of those most in need. They take money up-front, don’t finish the work or perform it so poorly that insurance won’t reimburse the fees or it negatively impacts the value of your home. In some cases the work needs to be done all over again or can even become a potential health risk if contamination isn’t properly dealt with. Fortunately, it is possible to find a “one stop shop” for all the Galveston flood damage repair needs in once place. Just make sure you go with a reputable company like Kiwi Services that has a nationwide reputation and guarantee for all work performed. Every person should be licensed, bonded and insured as well as work directly with your insurance company to make sure the work is performed properly.

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