CLEANING COMPANIES, MECHANICS IN DEMAND

Mechanics and cleaning companies were in high demand in the aftermath of flooding that swept through Cape Girardeau Thursday.

Unfortunately, most of the work performed at houses will be paid out of residents' pockets because few people are insured against damage caused by floods.

Ken Johnson of Johnson Insurance Group Inc. said most people don't have flood insurance because it is expensive and seldom used.

Johnson and other insurance people in town had to explain to numerous callers Thursday that they were not protected against water damage to basements.

"We usually explain this when we sell homeowner's insurance," said Johnson. "But, unless the property is in a flood zone, people usually pass on flood protection plans."

Servicemaster Professional Cleaning Service was flooded with more than 75 calls by early Friday, said Tony Smee, an officer of Servicemaster and general manager of the Cape Girardeau facility.

Smee estimated that about 60 percent of the homes did not have flood insurance.

He said the company worked primarily to get moisture out of buildings as quickly as possible and would follow later with actual cleanup and structural damage estimates.

"We cleaned a lot of commercial buildings and dozens of residences Thursday," said Smee. "We have three heavy duty water-extractor vehicles and a number of cleaning vans out."

Local garages also had a brisk business repairing water damage to vehicles after floodwaters receded.

Some vehicles were damaged when drivers lost control while driving in water and ran into ditches or other obstacles. Others received engine damage after stalling in high water.

"It can actually do some severe engine damage. We've also got several cars we're cleaning out because of water getting into the cars," said Sonny Kincade, owner of Seabaugh's Auto Repair.

Steve Rankin, a driver for Sperling's Garage and Wrecker Service, said his toughest challenge during the storm was staying on his feet while preparing to tow partially submerged vehicles.

Rankin waded through about 3 feet of water to attach towing cables to a Grand Prix stalled in the middle of Hopper Road.

"You get a little wet going after it and hope you don't get swept away," Rankin said.

rowen@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128