Fort Myers, FL --  Even the U.S. Government’s Disaster Recovery Department can become a victim of Mother Nature. Recent storms have flooded parts of Washington, DC and surrounding areas, including Prince George County, Maryland. The Potomac River reached flood stage on May 13. While records have yet to be broken, May 2008 is already proving to be among the wettest recorded in the region. Weary residents, businesses, and the federal government are mopping up and taking precautions for the next round of inclement weather.

A water damage claim from the United States Disaster Recovery Department came in through Dryout’s Internet-based claim system.

“We immediately received the claim and went to work,” Dryout owner Mark Decherd said. “Our system is set up to instantly notify the closest Dryout affiliate for the promptest response possible.”

The claim involved a flooded basement at a Disaster Recovery Department building. “An inch of basement flooding after storms of this nature is fairly common,” Decherd said. “While not terribly dramatic compared to floodwaters sweeping through city streets, the potential for serious structural damage exists. It’s critical to dry out these basements ASAP.”

Dryout holds a Trading Partner Identification Number with the U.S. Government and is a part of the Department of Defense Central Contract Registration program.

The company is also a regular contractor for the Army Corps of Engineers. “While we do a great deal of water damage and mold remediation work for the government, our system works exactly the same way for commercial businesses and residents,” Decherd said. “Simply fill out a short form on the Internet and get immediate relief.”

Decherd said that only the basement and sub-basement of a Veteran’s Hospital in New Orleans were flooded after Hurricane Katrina, yet that was enough to render the entire building irreparable. “The building itself survived Katrina’s wrath but it didn’t have a chance against the mold that grew in the hurricane’s wake.” This hospital was later demolished.