GALVESTON, Texas - In the wake of Hurricane Ike, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s (ACCA’s) Disaster Relief Committee has been moving to determine the best way to help its members in need in the affected areas. After a conference call, the association decided to issue emergency funds to its members in the devastated areas and is currently seeking further help from ACCA members to provide support to the members of the ACCA family who have been left wiped out by this storm.

In examining the aftermath, Amanda Jones, executive director of ACCA Greater Houston (ACCA-GH), reported that Ike was a strong Category 2 storm with a storm surge of a Category 4 wiping out over 1.4 million customers’ power. According to Jones’ report, officials on the barrier island said it could be months before the city of Galveston reopens.

“I can happily say many of our ACCA-GH family members weathered the storm well with just some minor roof damage, down fences and uprooted trees. But, sadly I can’t say the same for all our ACCA-GH members,” explained Jones. “Our members on the island are facing a long road to recovery, with businesses basically being destroyed and having to start over fresh.”

Members such as Ralph Blanco of Air Repair in Hitchcock, Texas, contacted ACCA to offer distribution assistance. He indicated that his warehouse had full power and offered its use to contractors in the region as a point of distribution. Blanco can be reached at 409-925-3979 or 409-682-2493.

If your company is willing to provide assistance to those affected by the storm, such as equipment, personnel, temporary relocation or employment, or anything else, ACCA asks that you contact them immediately. The association will compile information as it is received and add new resources on an ongoing basis to the ACCA Disaster Relief Website.

“ACCA-GH would like to thank Texas ACCA as well as ACCA National for its continued prayers and support through this difficult time,” said Jones. “I have had many members reach out to us and it is greatly appreciated.”

In spite of Hurricane Ike, the National HVACR Service Managers Forum, scheduled for Oct. 9 and 10 in Houston, will continue as planned. The Doubletree Hotel Houston Downtown is open for business and in a part of the city that was spared the storm’s worst effects. The hotel is working quickly to return to normal.

For more information or to offer assistance, e-mail rosemary.graeme@acca.org, amandajones@accagh.org, or visit www.acca.org/disaster.

Publication date:09/29/2008