Panama City Beach, Florida (December 13, 2018)—In response to Hurricane Michael devastation, Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL) emergency response teams provide relief, disaster recovery, debris removal and emergency roofing services to commercial and residential property owners throughout the Panhandle. Packing maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour and slamming into the coast as a Category 4 hurricane, the storm brought severe rain, wind, storm surge, and massive destruction to residential and commercial properties throughout the area.

"Our emergency management teams have been working around the clock providing EMS and safety services, tree and debris removal, installation of temporary roof protection, and help assessing the damage throughout the community. The mass destruction and devastation our teams are witnessing is horrific, and we have a lot of work ahead of us to help all of these communities recover," says Stephen Shanton, president of VCGFL.

Located in Panama City Beach, VCGFL provides 24/7 emergency services; commercial and industrial roofing repairs, replacements, construction and restoration; storm damage repairs; and full-scale licensed general contractor services. VCGFL is providing EMS throughout areas afflicted with Hurricane Michael damage including Alford, Apalachicola, Bayou George, Bayview, Callaway, Carrabelle, Cedar Grove, Cottondale, Eastpoint, Greenwood, Grand Ridge, Inlet Beach, Lynn Haven, Marianna, Mexico City, Panama City Beach, Panama City, Parker, Port St. Joe, Sneads, Springfield and St. George Island.

According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, property insurance claims stemming from Hurricane Michael have increased to over 131,000 claims with an estimated $4.2 billion in insured losses to date. Residential losses currently equate the bulk of the claims. The majority of claims filed to date are based out of Bay, Jackson, Leon, Gulf, Gadsden Counties. Claims have also been filed in Calhoun, Washington, Franklin, Liberty, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Suwannee and Hamilton Counties. The numbers are anticipated to rise considerably as recovery efforts continue. 

Since the hurricane made landfall, VCGFL staff and crews have donated truckloads and trailers of water, food and basic necessities and have distributed multiple caravans of supplies throughout October and November. VCGFL held donation collection drives at their Boca Raton and Stuart offices and joined forces with community partners and local chambers of commerce to collect non-perishable food, water, first-aid products, hygiene kits, flashlights, batteries, baby formula, baby food, cleaning supplies, sleeping bags and more. 

"It's going to be a long road to recovery. Everything that we can do to help is important. We're committed to going above and beyond, giving back and continually mobilizing our expert crews to help these communities rebuild," says John Carr, managing director, VCGFL. 

For more information, visit vcgfl.com.