The aftermath: SERVPRO responds to hundreds of calls after floodwaters recede

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — Like many times before, SERVPRO of South Roanoke County kept a close eye on floodwaters this past week.

“We prepare, internally, as far as getting equipment ready, getting crews ready,” said Kevin Lancaster, VP of Operations for SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties.

If the storm gets to a certain point, Lancaster makes the call to corporate.

“What they’re going to do is help us get crews from different parts of the country that aren’t affected by the storms, and they come and help us, which are SERVPRO people, SERVPRO trained,” Lancaster said.

According to Lancaster, crews from Oklahoma, Florida, and Missouri — to name a few states — came to the Roanoke Valley, helping respond to more than 400 calls from homeowners.

“I can’t believe they showed up,” said Tom Roseberry, a Salem resident living in one of those homes. “It’s remarkable. My wife talked to them yesterday, and they’re here today.”

Roseberry figured it would take weeks for SERVPRO to send a team out to his home, hence his surprise. Coincidentally, Roseberry was a first responder during the flood of 1985.

“I worked it from that side and saw what was happening,” Roseberry said. “It’s the first time we’ve (Roseberry and his wife) ever needed help, and I don’t know what to say to these people. Honest to God, I don’t know what to say. Thank you!”

“These teams, not only are they giving up a Memorial weekend to help other people out, but we’ve got several employees that are affected by the storms, as well,” Lancaster mentioned. “I’ve got office ladies that have been affected; I’ve got crew members that have been affected. They put all that on hold to get out there and help these people out.”

Lancaster says with the added help from across the country, it should only take around two weeks for every call like Roseberry’s to be answered.

“I hope we never need their help again,” Roseberry said. “I hope I never see them again, but if I do, that’s who I’m going to call.”

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