As the region begins its long path to recovery after Hurricane Harvey damage, local business owners are beginning the coping and rebuilding processes.
Several large developments across the area—including Townsen Boulevard in Humble, Kings Harbor near Kingwood and Main Street Kingwood—experienced heavy flooding.
Returning to a flooded business leads to mixed emotions, said John Hallmark, owner of Hallmark Mitigation and Construction.
“You go through a range of emotions from thankful to be alive and happy your family is safe to really discouraged and depressed that so much you worked for is lost,” Hallmark said.
To help struggling business owners, the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce collaborated with Insperity and Somebody Cares Humble to create the Lake Houston Area Relief Fund.
According to the fund’s Facebook page, it was started in response to several inquiries about how to help. The fund will accept tax-deductible flood relief donations for victims who have been affected by the storm.
This money could go to businesses like Humble Golf Center, whose owners posted a Facebook status update
Aug. 29 to report a total loss of both business and home, said Jenna Armstrong, president of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce.
As long as businesses are in the process of rebuilding, other companies in the area can lend a hand and rebuild themselves in the process.
Adam Cruz, who is in charge of operations for Cruz Air & Electric, said his business is preparing to run crews 24/7.
The storm affected Cruz Air & Electric’s ability to get to work immediately, so it took a few days for the business to operate with a full staff, checking the safety of electric systems in homes before the rebuild process could officially start.
“Unfortunately, it was just physically answering phones for a while, and Aug. 30 was the first day we could get boots on the ground and get to homes,” he said.
The company also provides HVAC and generator systems, and Cruz projects it will be months before the Hurricane Harvey rebuild effort slows down.
Business owners facing damage will need patience and persistence to suvive the challenge left behind by Harvey, Armstrong said.
Before hiring a contractor, a business owner should check their status with the Better Business Bureau, never pay upfront and check the company’s references, Armstrong said.
“Hire a good contractor—preferably local—to do work,” Hallmark said. “That way they have accountability for the workmanship done in the future if there are problems. “If they are local, they’re less likely to do something to harm somebody in their community.”
