Timely Response from A Skilled Team Helps manage Flood Damage in Pottsville

12/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Pottsville always has their community's best interest at heart, especially after damage to a property. You can always count on SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Provides the Resources Needed to Save Pottsville Businesses Affected by Flooding

Pottsville is an impressive city and the birthplace of many famous people, including novelists such as John O'Hara, who wrote novels about the lifestyles of affluent Americans, and war heroes like George Joulwan, who served in Vietnam and rose through the ranks to become the Commander in chief, United States European Command and Supreme Allied Command. Businessmen, too, like David Gotlieb Yuengling, who started America's oldest brewery in 1929, called Pottsville home. David emigrated from Germany, where his father was an established local brewer. After his elder brother inherited the family brewery, his career prospects dimmed, thus prompting the shift to America, where he set up a new brewery.  

Initially named Eagle, the regional brewery later changed to adopt the founder's name, Yuengling. It has also overcome many challenges over the years, including surviving the tribulations of the prohibition era. At the time, the company opted to make ice cream as an alternative income source. Even after prohibition was lifted, the company still makes ice cream, and today customers can enjoy a mix of 13 unique classical and modern flavors. The company's former headquarter, located on Mahantongo Street, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. People visiting Pottsville can experience close to 200 years of America's brewing history by taking a tour of the facility. There are hand-dug caves at the bottom of the building used as coolers for beer fermentation before the development of refrigeration.

Historic Buildings in Pottsville

Apart from the Yuengling Brewery and museum, other historic facilities in the city provide a glimpse of the diverse aspects of life at different times in its development journey. Some of the notable ones include:

• The Schuylkill County Historical Society, Museum, and Gift Shop, located on North Center Street. Incorporated in 1903, it holds a vast array of historical records that visitors can pursue for entertainment purposes or genealogical research. The facility is situated where Centre Street Grammar School, constructed during the civil war, used to be.
• The Pottsville Armory was a National Guard facility constructed in 1913. The main structure is a T-plan brick building. It features a combination of Late Gothic Revival and Romanesque architecture. Currently, the building hosts the Schuylkill YMCA. 
• The Frank D. Yuengling Mansion, which was opened in 1913, is a Tudor Jacobean-style house built by the grandson of the Yuengling brewery founder and is a physical manifestation of the financial might of the family.

Apart from the historic buildings, there are several other attractions in the city, including the Majestic Theater, one of the only two remaining reverse screen theaters in the state. Jerry's Classic Cars and Collectibles Museum is another exciting location where people can experience life from a past perspective by exploring things like pinball machines, soda shops, drive-in theaters, and a collection of various fast cars from yesteryears. Visiting the facility is a great way to explore the development story of Pottsville and the country in general.

The Great Floods of 1850

Although Pottsville has steadily developed since it received its charter as a city on March 22, 1911, there have also been setbacks. Among the notable incidents are two major flooding episodes in July and September 1850. A tropical storm on July 18th-19th moved north from Virginia, leading to flash floods that affected various sections along the Schuylkill River.

Another episode of flooding from a rainstorm happened on September 2, 1850, causing rivers to burst their banks and leaving widespread damages to properties and infrastructure in the Southeastern region of Pennsylvania. Although the event did not cause significant damages in Pottsville, other areas in the region fared much worse. For instance, the Penn Street Bridge in Reading, which was built in 1815, was entirely swept away by the flooding. At the Schuylkill Canal, the whole lower gate and an arm of the upper gate at lock number 45 were carried off by the raging waters. 

Flooding incidents have also affected the city in recent years. For instance, in August 2018, heavy rainfall soaked Pottsville leaving many areas inundated. The rising water was as high as two feet in some areas, leaving roads like Norwegian street and Progress Avenue resembling overflowing creeks.  The water encroached into many properties forcing emergency services to evacuate people from their homes. The floodwater waters did not spare infrastructure either. For instance, parts of Progress Avenue, along the 400 and 500 blocks were ripped apart. 

How Does SERVPRO Help Pottsville Businesses Affected by Flood Damage?

Most flooding incidents occur when least expected, thus catching Pottsville business owners unawares. An incident can have wide-ranging implications, including leaving significant amounts of water or moisture inside buildings, widespread contamination, and deterioration of various materials. SERVPRO provides comprehensive solutions to address all aspects of the loss.

The most vital aspect of the response to flooding is timely action since most of the initial damages worsen with time. For instance, moisture migration happens steadily as the water stagnates in the property. Contamination can also worsen because of microbial growth processes, which lead to the multiplication of fungi or bacteria. SERVPRO manages a faster restoration of affected businesses because of three main aspects:

• Proper preparation of the restoration teams, which guarantees arrival at the loss site within a few hours after receiving notification about the incident. The team is segmented into customer service and work crews. Customer service is reachable 24/7 while the work crews keep production trucks prepared for immediate deployment on short notice.
• The use of state-of-the-art equipment and other technology also helps speed up the recovery. Our teams have access to high-speed water extractors and commercial grade dehumidifiers.
• In most cases, the aftermath of flooding incidents is chaotic. Understanding the situation is essential for one to take the correct remedial steps. SERVPRO technicians undergo training in various fields such as Applied Structural Drying, Water Damage Restoration, and Health and Safety, making it easier to understand a loss site.

SERVPRO of Pottsville organizes a timely response whenever flood damage incidents affect Pottsville business premises. Call us at (570) 622-8991 to help restore normalcy.