August 2008 -

This week will mark the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina that slammed into the U.S. Gulf Coast region on August 29, 2005, causing over 80 billion dollars in damage and claimed over 1,800 lives. It was the deadliest U.S hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane and costliest natural disaster in U.S history.

Damage was extensive in the Gulfport Region when the Category 3 storm reached landfall with the combination of sustained winds of 120 mph, gusts reaching over 130 mph at times, a powerful 27-foot storm surge, tornadoes and 8-10 inches of rain. Significant damage was done in Hancock County along the Gulf Coast and leveled the beachfront communities of Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi. The storm destroyed homes, roads, trees, piers, bridges, buildings, communities and lives. It was estimated that 90% of the structures near the coastline were demolished.

The recovery process from Hurricane Katrina is slow, but steady. The region is still recovering from the devastation. President Bush has visited the Gulf Cost area 13 times during his presidency. On his most recent visit to the area on Aug 21st he said, “hope is coming back.” The Federal Government has supplied over 126 billion dollars in recovery aid to the region. People are returning to the area, but affordable housing continues to be a major problem in the community.

Titan SprayTech, has been assisting Habitat For Humanity in Hancock County in this effort in 2008. This Habitat For Humanity group has built over 70 homes in the area since 2006. Recently, Titan SprayTech supplied a variety of powered painting products to assist in the efforts such as the Speeflo PowrTex 1200SF and Apex 1920 Airless Sprayer. Mark Scott, On-Site Project Director said, “We are grateful for the support to help us construct new homes for people in need. The products that have been supplied, will allow us build houses faster and get people in need, into their homes.”

Titan SprayTech Sales Rep Ray Radetich and Ron Mertz, in the Gulfport Region showed the Habitat For Humanity team on how to use the painting products and maximize their use. Ray mentioned, “A lot of work still remains to be done in this area. Providing Habitat these sprayers can help them complete their projects faster and we are proud to help anyway possible.”