Hurricanes

TTTE · Oct 12, 2018

So is anyone going after all this storm work? Every year I think about heading south but so busy at home and if I go is it really worth it? I worry about all the unknowns, lodging, will I get paid, just drive down the road and look for work knocking on doors or what? Do you only target the high end neighborhoods in areas not totally destroyed? We have 30 ton crane, log truck with grapple and 75' bucket. Do you leave chipper at home? Any advice from someone who's done it?

Toomuchsawdust · Oct 12, 2018

If you're busy, stay home. Not worth pissing off regular customers. You'll need contacts, hookups, carry a couple weeks of fuel and supplies, be prepared to sleep in trucks with no showers/toilets and have access problems. You can't get supplies, you can't get parts and if something breaks you better have a spare.

TTTE · Oct 12, 2018

Yeah. I had a 26' motor home to work out of and thought take my own generator and throw the 300gal tank of fuel on back of truck. We're pretty mechanical inclined and don't go anywhere with wrenches and spare parts. Don't want to lose the people who pay the bills year after year but just wonder if the risk could pay off. You here stories of guys saying they made so much money in short time or is it just hoopla??

Sgfinco · Oct 12, 2018

Guessing it's hoopla as everybodys cousin brother is a tree man landscaper has a chainsaw and will split the insurance money with you. But I'm a Midwesterner and have never worked a hurricane. I'm sure there's plenty of money to be made but I'd never make the trip

Daniel · Oct 12, 2018

there are a lot of factors to consider... The guys that make real big $ usually have had some experience chasing storms.... even those can still get burned.. Each storm is different and while some, like Mathew hitting hilton head island in 2016, are perfect for tree guys... (big wind, lots of big trees and lots of $$$, with little or no flooding) most are not....

If you are busy at home, its hardly worth it to chase storms... Like you say some do it well, but its a different skill set...

Steve Connally · Oct 12, 2018

I toy with the idea of bringing the grapplesaw crane down there (aka TreeMek) but I am slammed a month out on local work. I'd love to get ahead and make some big money but all the factors above make me think its not worth it. The stress it places on my family is a deterrent enough not to go. Having a school age kid who is doing homework, sports, and a fiancé who works full time and can hardly get an 8 hour day in as it is makes me think about more than the money. I'd consider a solid invite from an established company with local infrastructure, but to go blind and hope it works out is too much risk to burden my family over. I could probably rake in as much in 3 weeks as I've made in 6 months but then all the other factors like Brendon mentioned. Small things like clean socks and drinking water, morning coffee, food, blah blah blah. Slow and steady wins the race. Quick money ain't easy money and to risk the customers who feed me all year long seems like a less than solid choice.

TTTE · Oct 12, 2018

Steve Connally said:
I toy with the idea of bringing the grapplesaw crane down there (aka TreeMek) but I am slammed a month out on local work. I'd love to get ahead and make some big money but all the factors above make me think its not worth it. The stress it places on my family is a deterrent enough not to go. Having a school age kid who is doing homework, sports, and a fiancé who works full time and can hardly get an 8 hour day in as it is makes me think about more than the money. I'd consider a solid invite from an established company with local infrastructure, but to go blind and hope it works out is too much risk to burden my family over. I could probably rake in as much in 3 weeks as I've made in 6 months but then all the other factors like Brendon mentioned. Small things like clean socks and drinking water, morning coffee, food, blah blah blah. Slow and steady wins the race. Quick money ain't easy money and to risk the customers who feed me all year long seems like a less than solid choice.

TTTE · Oct 12, 2018

Yes I know all the above, kids wife, and time away from the family isn't worth it. But it's lureing Thanks for talking me off the ledge. Lol

oldoakman · Oct 13, 2018

I am Close to the area I can say that word from the coast is pretty much total destruction. Next door neighbor is a trucker that was making a run with equipment into the area and was turned back. US route 431 that runs down to Panama city is blocked by national guard. I'd say at least a week or so till they even get all the roads opened up. One of the guys I work with has a house in Panama city and was texting with a neighbor when the neighbors roof blew off. He hasn't heard from the guy since then. That was noon on wednesday.

Tree_Frog · Oct 14, 2018

Heading up there on Monday to Tallahassee to start work. We are starting in Tallahassee and will be working our way in as things clear up with maybe an overnight or two down in Panama City. Any news about cell coverage, 4g LTE limitations to conduct business or Credit card transactions. Road Closures. ETC. Thanks.

Tree_Frog · Oct 22, 2018

Well we came back for the weekend to rest. Ended up in Lynn Haven. Real close to Panama City. The area is destroyed. 100% of the forest is damaged. 90% Down. Trees everywhere. Had to cut power lines just to get to our first home.
In two homes we removed approximately 60-70 trees. Used 25 sheets of plywood to board roofs and installed 3400sq feet of tarps.
Got wiped out of all supplies and had to leave the second site to resupply and return on Monday to finish the back yard. We still have about 30 hours (150 man hrs) of work with a 5 man crew to finish tarping and clearing the back yard. Spent 32.5 hours getting to a stopping point where the hazard trees were removed and the main home was tarped. Unbelievable.

Tree_Frog · Oct 22, 2018

Tree_Frog · Oct 22, 2018

Friday upon leaving.

Tree_Frog · Oct 22, 2018

Daniel · Oct 22, 2018

WOW!!!!
I've seen a few hurricanes over the years.. that looks really bad!

Steve Connally · Oct 23, 2018

How are you finding the logistics? Last report I got was 250 miles away was the closest diesel. Are you able to find food and shelter?

Tree_Frog · Oct 24, 2018

Things are coming back. We camp where we work and bring all of our supplies in. Showers are from a jug and we dig the shitter.

Fuel is starting to flow down south along the 231.

TimBr · Oct 24, 2018

@Tree_Frog; Those folks are really fortunate to have your team there working to make things better and to protect what is left. Amazing photos, thanks for sharing them all.

Tim