In response to Hurricane Michael devastation, Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL) emergency response teams provide relief, disaster recovery, debris removal, and emergency roofing services to commercial and residential property owners throughout the Panhandle. Packing maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour and slamming into the coast as a Category 4 hurricane, the storm brought severe rain, wind, storm surge, and massive destruction to residential and commercial properties throughout the area.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Research Division, Hurricane Michael was the most intense hurricane to landfall in the Florida Panhandle, according to NOAA's 167-year best-track hurricane database. With an estimated minimum central pressure of 919 millibars, Michael was the third most intense hurricane landfall in the continental United States.

"Our emergency management teams have been working around the clock providing EMS, safety, tree and debris removal, installing temporary roof protection, and helping to assess the damage throughout the community. The mass destruction and devastation our teams are witnessing is horrific, and we have a lot of work ahead of us to help all of these communities recover," says Stephen Shanton, president of Venture Construction Group of Florida.

Due to the severe intensity of the hurricane, VCGFL efforts are currently focused on roofing Emergency Mitigation Services (EMS) including shrink wrap, elastomeric coating, silicone coating and full dry-ins to allow an immediate temporary roof while the full roof repairs and replacement are in progress.

"Many of these property owners have to wait for an insurance claim specialist, property inspector, licensed general contractor, and a public adjuster just to get the ball rolling on their repair process. It's a very stressful process for them. Residential projects can take anywhere from 3-6 months on average, and large-scale commercial projects can take up to 2 years. A durable temporary roof is a necessity, and we're helping thousands with recovery throughout the Panhandle. As a construction company based in Florida, we've worked numerous hurricanes. In the restoration industry, it's so important to do everything in our power to prevent further leaks after a major storm event. The potential of additional leaks leads to severe structural damage and deterioration," says Jason Cameron, disaster restoration specialist, Venture Construction Group of Florida.

Located in Panama City Beach, VCGFL provides 24/7 emergency services, commercial and industrial roofing repairs, replacements, construction, restoration, storm damage repairs, and full-scale licensed general contractor services. VCGFL is providing EMS throughout areas afflicted with Hurricane Michael damage including Alford, Apalachicola, Bayou George, Bayview, Callaway, Carrabelle, Cedar Grove, Cottondale, Eastpoint, Greenwood, Grand Ridge, Inlet Beach, Lynn Haven, Marianna, Mexico City, Panama City Beach, Panama City, Parker, Port St. Joe, Sneads, Springfield, and St. George Island.

According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, property insurance claims stemming from Hurricane Michael have increased to over 131,000 claims with an estimated $4.2 billion in insured losses to date. Residential losses currently equate the bulk of the claims. The majority of claims filed to date are based out of Bay, Jackson, Leon, Gulf, Gadsden Counties. Claims have also been filed in Calhoun, Washington, Franklin, Liberty, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Suwannee, and Hamilton Counties. The numbers are anticipated to rise considerably as recovery efforts continue.

Since the hurricane made landfall, VCGFL staff and crews have donated truckloads and trailers of water, food and basic necessities and distributed multiple caravans of supplies throughout October and November. VCGFL held donation collection drives at their Boca Raton and Stuart offices and joined forces with community partners and local chambers of commerce to collect non-perishable food, water, first-aid products, hygiene kits, flashlights, batteries, baby formula, baby food, cleaning supplies, sleeping bags and more. Due to an enormous influx of donations from the community, VCGFL added additional deliveries throughout November.

"It's going to be a long road to recovery. Everything that we can do to help is important. We're committed to going above and beyond, giving back, and continually mobilizing our expert crews to help these communities rebuild," says John Carr, managing director, Venture Construction Group of Florida.