Over the past couple of years, tropical systems have bombarded consistently the Gulf Coast. When Hurricane Katrina approached the area, Al Giles was concerned with the stability of his Mobile, Alabama warehouse building.

“This area is just known for getting a lot of storms,” said Giles.  “Since the building sits on the water, we kind of wondered how it would handle something of Katrina’s magnitude.  We sure found out if it would hold up or not.”

Despite losing power for a couple of days, Giles said the building held together without any damage that required repairs.

“I am tinkled pink with how we came out of it,” said Giles.  “There was some minor stuff to the roof, but that didn’t need any work at all.  We fared a lot better than some of clients who aren’t that far east of us.  We’re in good shape.”

Allied Steel designed and delivered the 80’ X 320’ X 30’ structure to Giles in the summer of 2004.  The building was engineered to withstand a wind load of 130 mph gusts for three second intervals.  The construction process had just been completed when Hurricane Ivan struck the Florida Panhandle.

“We lucked out with Ivan as well because that storm circled around, and we only got the west side of the storm,” said Giles.  “The worst of it was east of the center.  From the winds we did receive, we had little if any damage whatsoever.  You can’t go wrong with stainless steel.”
 
For any business owner located along the gulf coast, hurricanes are always a concern.

 “We know that on the coastline, you need something that’s going to be durable,” said Giles.  “I couldn’t be happier with what Allied Steel did for us.  The building has held up so well in these conditions.  That’s all you can ask for.”