Dec. 2005

(Gulf Coast) - Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast region and forced thousands of people out of their homes. Several ZCC job sites were directly in the path of the storm, and hundreds of employees bore the brunt of Katrina and Rita. In the days following the disasters, Zachry employees were called upon to lend a helping hand in delivering aid to company job sites in the affected region.

“We had all of the company’s resources at our disposal for hurricane relief,” said ISD Operations Manager Dave Mitscherling, the 32-year Zachry veteran who led the effort. “The logistics were tough, but it was very rewarding to be able to help those who were so devastated by the hurricanes.”

Category 5 Hurricane Rita forced 1 million Gulf Coast residents from their homes just three weeks after Katrina came ashore. Nearly 5,200 ZCC employees at more than 30 job sites and every division in the company were impacted.

“It was several days before we heard from some of our job sites that were affected by the hurricane,” said Field Procurement Manager Mandy Hall. “Some areas suffered significant damage, but the project teams remained calm and were very appreciative of Zachry’s corporate office support.”

On Sept. 1, the ZCC Tool Center assembled 1,300 pounds of non-perishable food, ice and water and 200 pounds of supplies to fill the company plane that was immediately headed to Pascagoula, Miss. Numerous employees came together to help purchase food, water and supplies for shipment to the affected areas.

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