Business notebook: August downpours lead to rash of water-repair calls

Early August brought considerable rainfall to Southeast Missouri. Though an exact number from the National Weather Service is unavailable because of a faulty rain gauge during the storms, it's safe to say more than 5 inches of rain fell over four days, causing a few streets to close temporarily from flooding.

But while the rain eventually left the roadways and drainage ditches with relative ease, many property owners in the area didn't have the same luxury.

"We've had numerous calls," said Audrey Lorch, who handles sales and marketing at ServPro, which offers cleanup and restoration services after emergencies such as floods or fires.

"We've had seven to eight water jobs that we've mitigated in the last week," Lorch said. "But we've had many more calls."

Tim Meyer, territory manager for waterproofing and foundation repair company Helitech, said his office also has seen an unusually high volume of calls for August.

"The volume is way up for an August time frame," Meyer said. "With the volume of rain came a volume of lead opportunities."

According to Lorch, the cost of mitigation and professional repair can be prohibitive for people without insurance.

"People tend to want to do it themselves because it's costly," Lorch said.

For those people who choose to handle flood cleanup and home repairs themselves, early action is key.

"If you have a water leak, the first thing you need to do is find the source and stop the source," Lorch said.

Meyer stressed the importance of keeping up with normal maintenance to prevent it. Sump pumps, for example, should be kept in working order. On the home's exterior, he said, gutters and downspouts should be clean and well-maintained.

"A lot of times, we'll see gutters and downspouts are disconnected, and a lot of that water is running right along the foundation," Meyer said. "You always want that water kept 10 to 15 feet out away from the structure."

Foundation repair, Meyer said, often is needed to fix the issue.

"When you get a lot of rain, some foundation cracks can come to the surface and create problems with this volume of rain," Meyer said. "People are calling us not only with a high volume of water in their basement, but also foundation cracks that are leaking."

It's not just basements that are taking in water. Roofs also are a frequent problem during downpours, as evidenced by the Cape Girardeau Police Department, which posted pictures of equipment covered in tarp when rain made its way into the station through a leaky roof.

Lorch said if rain is coming in from above, the roof needs to be tarped immediately.

"It's not going to stop until it gets tarped or repaired," Lorch said.

Once the water stops coming in, it's a matter of cleanup, which should be done immediately, Lorch said.

"The longer the water sits there, the more damage there is to your home," he said.

"Contain the area so water doesn't spread," Lorch said.

Move furnishings up onto blocks to avoid damage. The water then must be removed completely to prevent further damage, including mold, which thrives in dark, wet areas and can start growing days after a flood.

"Get a dehumidifier in there as soon as possible. Treat the area with an antimicrobial to keep mold from growing," Lorch said.

And, most importantly, "Don't panic."

Flourish Women's Summit is Thursday

The Flourish Magazine Women's Summit will take place Thursday at the Osage Centre, 1625 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau.

The half-day event, hosted by the Southeast Missourian and rustmedia in conjunction with Flourish magazine, is open to the public and will provide women the chance to hear from influential women in business, philanthropy, education, health care, government and the arts through lively, interactive sessions.

Breakout session topics include personal safety; philanthropy and faith; healthy living; and leadership and mentoring. Each attendee will choose two sessions to attend.

Presenters scheduled include Carolyn Sandgren (Kempf), owner of Elite Travel; Della Moore, investigator with the state fire marshal's office and Missouri Division of Fire Safety; Christa Hudson, dietitian and health educator at Saint Francis Medical Center; Erin Fluegge, professor in the Harrison College of Business at Southeast Missouri State University; Kathy Swan, Missouri House of Representatives; Shari Stroup, co-founder and CEO of Room for One More; Cheryl Mothes, philanthropist and Edward Jones financial adviser; Jennifer Gast, philanthropist; and Rekha Patterson, head women's basketball coach at Southeast Missouri State University. New speakers are being added daily.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Donna Denson at (573) 388-2751 or ddenson@semissourian.com.

CCC marks acquisition of El Nathan Home

Community Counseling Center recently celebrated the 2015 acquisition and redesign of El Nathan Home in Marble Hill, Missouri.

From left, Mary Burton, Charles R. Johnson, Nedra Bollinger Johnson, Sharon Braun and John Hudak mark Community Counseling Center's acquisition and redesign of El Nathan Home in Marble Hill, Missouri.Submitted

Ah the event, Charles Johnson, owner of El Nathan Home, and his mother, Nedra Bollinger Johnson, provided the history of the home.

The organization has served Bollinger County for 30 years, but as patient numbers continued to grow, so did the need for additional programs and staff. Johnson's donation of El Nathan Home provides the CCC with needed space.

"Acquisition of the El Nathan Home came at a time when our Center was in dire need of space for support staff, psychiatrists and nurses, therapists and case managers," John Hudak, CEO of Community Counseling Center, said in a news release. "The El Nathan Home allowed us to move our Psycho-Social Rehabilitation program on site as well, and for the first time, all of our programs in Marble Hill were housed under one roof. We are eternally grateful and forever indebted to Charlie for entrusting El Nathan to the care of our Center and for the wonderful relationships that we have developed with the Johnsons throughout this process."

Business licenses

• Ciao Cape Inc., an Italian restaurant at 1650 N. Kingshighway, Suite 102, is changing ownership. David Burdin will own and manage the restaurant once run by UT Hospitality Group LLC, doing business as Ciao, Su Hill. The anticipated date is Sept. 1.
• Cryosculpting LLC, 1131 N. Kingshighway, Suite G, is a medical coolsculpting business managed by Jane Perry. No anticipated opening date was provided.
• Brushed and Polished Nail and Hair Design, 1405 Thomas Drive, is a nail and hair salon owned by Angela Glueck and Cynthia Groves. The anticipated opening date is Sept. 1.
• Pratima-Gauri LLC (Town House Inn), 505 Kingshighway, is a hotel owned by Chhaya Patel. It opened Aug. 15.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630