Flood cleanup company 'like family in our time of need'

WESTERNPORT — A specialized cleanup company and an alternative to conventional insurance have been crucial to flood recovery, but help is still needed from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for major infrastructure repair.

The May 13 flood caused significant damage to Westernport’s facilities, including the town hall, garage and senior center.

Additionally, the community’s playground, basketball court, pavilion and walking trail were among Westernport’s battered assets.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the flood led to catastrophic damage.

“Westernport, Maryland, was one of the hardest hit towns during the mid-May flooding in Western Maryland, where Georges Creek flooded an elementary school ... prompting the emergency rescue of schoolchildren,” the bureau’s website states.

“Flooding caused the ground to collapse beneath an unused train line, leaving rails that were twisted mid-air and dangling for several dozen yards, yet somehow still connected on the other side.”

Royal Plus, a full-service disaster restoration company, got involved in Westernport’s cleanup two days after the flood.

The weather event “temporarily crippled the Main Street,” said Cody Erb, northeast assistant regional manager at Royal Plus in Snow Hill.

The business is one of the largest privately-owned restoration companies in Maryland and covers areas including the Delmarva Peninsula, he said.

After the flood, Royal Plus brought to Westernport a mobile command center, and a crew of roughly 35 people who worked in the town for several weeks.

The project was led by Erb and Royal Plus Catastrophe Operations Manager Jason Ortt.

The company provided 200 dehumidifiers to evaporate moisture at various municipal properties, 350 air circulators, 50 air scrubbers, four large commercial generators to power the town’s buildings, skid loaders, lifts, sky tracks, pump trucks and other heavy equipment, Erb said.

Royal Plus helped remove muck from roads, walkways and parking lots.

The company’s cleanup included soil remediation and more than 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel that had spilled from a tank used to power the town’s vehicles.

Royal Plus distributed more than 40 dumpsters to collect debris, and power washed the governmental buildings.

The structures required replacement of floors, trim, drywall, insulation, cabinets, doors and appliances.

“We also had to mitigate the saturated framing, subfloor and other substrates,” Erb said.

Joint fund

“We dealt directly with the town manager and the mayor,” Erb said.

Westernport Administrator Laura Freeman-Legge “was not only dealing with the floods, but also everything and anything else going on,” he said.

“We worked closely with her during the entire duration of the repairs,” Erb said of Freeman-Legge, adding that she remained professional and polite with Royal Plus workers and Westernport residents.

In addition to the town officials, the company worked with the Local Government Insurance Trust.

LGIT, according to its website, “was founded by the Maryland Association of Counties and the Maryland Municipal League in answer to difficulties towns, cities and counties then faced in securing affordable insurance.”

To participate, local governments contribute to a jointly-owned fund.

“The money in that fund is used to pay for the members’ claims, losses and expenses,” the website states.

Erb said Westernport’s bill for the company’s cleanup work hasn’t been finalized, but will be more than $3 million.

He said Royal Plus has vast experience with LGIT claims adjusters, “which makes handling of small and large projects easy for the community, the town/city, and also the trust.”

‘Major factor’

Freeman-Legge said Royal Plus was referred to the town’s officials by an insurance adjuster who had worked with the company.

“In the days immediately following the flood, we had many companies and salespeople approaching us, which was overwhelming as we were focused on restoring water service to our residents and reopening our streets,” she said. “Royal Plus did not solicit us, and that was a major factor in our decision to move forward with them.”

Westernport’s experience with Royal Plus was “excellent,” Freeman-Legge said.

“They were responsive and willing to step in wherever needed,” she said. “As a small town with limited staff, and after losing all of our tools and equipment in the flood, their assistance during such a crisis was invaluable.”

Royal Plus treated Westernport “like family in our time of need,” Freeman-Legge said.

“Their team was compassionate, professional and dedicated throughout the recovery process,” she said.

“While I hope we never face another disaster, I know without hesitation that Royal Plus would be my first call if we do.”

FEMA appeal

Some costs of the Royal Plus work have been covered by insurance, Freeman-Legge said.

“I’ll use the senior center as an example,” she said. “We lease the building to HRDC, so we only insure the building itself. So far we have only paid $25,000 for this property, which is our deductible.”

Freeman-Legge said Westernport has contributed to LGIT for more than 15 years.

“To date, LGIT has paid $683,000 toward repairs, which are still ongoing,” she said.

Coverage included the town hall, senior center and multiple park buildings, Freeman-Legge said.

However, infrastructure, including roads, water and sewer lines, are not insured, she said.

FEMA in a July 22 letter to Gov. Wes Moore denied federal assistance to help Westernport recover from the May flood.

According to the agency, all emergency and major disaster declarations are made solely at the discretion of the president of the United States.

On Tuesday, Moore appealed the Western Maryland disaster declaration denial.

“We are hoping to see the public assistance appeal go through with FEMA to be able to repair everything,” Freeman-Legge said.

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