Building stabilization and widespread reconstruction are the two priorities for Interstate Restoration as the Texas company prepares to begin helping people and businesses recover from Hurricane Harvey.

Interstate Restoration is one of the nation’s leading full-service emergency restoration and reconstruction firms, and the magnitude of the storm damage has already prompted Interstate to tap into its full-scale network of trusted subcontractors and partners. Early estimates put the damage at $7 billion in claims.

Interstate Restoration had personnel in Texas cities such as Rockport and Corpus Christi almost immediately after the Category 4 storm hit. Interstate has already begun restoring buildings and businesses in the surrounding areas, and will carry forward into Houston as soon as flooding recedes enough to allow access for workers.

Executives at Interstate Restoration believe that the most strategic restoration efforts will go toward life-supporting facilities (e.g. medical centers, assisted living units, hotels, grocery stores) and where they can begin to help themselves rebuild (such as home improvement centers).

“There are countless types of urgent situations to address, but our experience in managing prior catastrophes tells us this two-pronged strategy will enable us to make the biggest, most immediate impact that will help the hardest-hit communities,” said Stacy Mazur, CEO of Interstate Restoration.

Interstate has more than 70 employees in the storm area, with 34 box trucks and trailers of equipment. Vendors, suppliers and subcontractors working with Interstate have more than 1,200 people responding to the disaster. By full ramp-up, Interstate anticipates in the next few weeks it will have a subcontractor base of more than 5,000 people. Mazur estimates that Interstate will ultimately devote up to 25 percent of its national resources (personnel and equipment) to Harvey.

“Restoring properties damaged by rain, wind and floods will be the No. 1 priority of the committed staff and partners of Interstate,” he said. “At Interstate, we understand that our job extends beyond concern for bricks and mortar. We need to help get people back to a sense of normalcy.”