What's up with the FEMA contracts over there?

[Noah]

I've seen several contractor associates pick up and head your way for a supposed "gold rush" of FEMA money...  the rumor is upwards of 10-15K/wk for hauling debris.

Is there any truth to this?  If so, I may be headed your way sooner than later

[matt_aggie04]

FEMA?  I think they are still working in LA from Katrina, I haven't seen any sign of them here doing any kind of clean up or hiring contractors.  My cousin made a mint off Katrina FEMA contracts doing cleanup and he is chomping at the bit for this open up but as with anything government related they are S L O W to do anything.
Matt

[Circle C]

     There is a 500 acre tract of land that FEMA just leased down the road from me. All day long bob-tail debris trucks with grapples, towing 20' dump trailers are lined up at the entrance to the pasture. They pull in, dump their load, then it hits a tub grinder and becomes mulch. Largest mountain of mulch I have ever seen, and it appeared in a matter of days pushing the mulch with a D6 or larger Cat.

      I  don't know anyone personally making money from FEMA yet.  I made a little from a boat insurance company though doing some work for them. They just leased 4 acres for 10,500.00 per month for the next 3 months, so there are some people that stand to make a little money in this deal. They need the land to stage boats for the adjusters to look at them, then they will have a sealed bid auction for the boats.

      To date, the best money I have made was during Katrina. I am not sure the money will ever flow as freely as it did then.

[slimpickins]

I remember hearing about the mulch during Katrina that was arriving here in Lubbock.
It was cheap and good stuff.
TV was warning about the fireants in the bags.
Not sure if it was ever an issue, just remember hearing the warnings.

[jls41]

Working in the trucking industry, I know that reefers are going into Houston with ice.  One of the drivers contacted us regarding loads coming out of there because they have been few and far between - this was about 2 weeks ago.  Anyway, while talking with him he stated that the trucks with the ice were being staged at Reliant Stadium and it was taking up to a week toget them unloaded, but for that week they were getting paid detention time of $40 per hour up to 8 hours a day, breakfast and lunch were served and a tanker was going around fueling their units and trucks for free - all of which were for FEMA he stated - plus they all were paid well to haul the ice from somewhere down to Houston.   He said he was trying to get back out so that he could pull another load for them!!  So I guess there is to be money made.  But then again, we are talking to truck drivers - some of them can tell a good fish story!! 

[Circle C]

The ice trucks have now been unloaded in San Antonio, and the ice is now melted.... Said the cost of keeping the ice frozen exceeded the value of the ice. 
http://www.ksat.com/news/17567971/detail.html

JLS,
   You mean to tell me that truckers sometimes makeup stories?      I think some of them spend time making up stories when they should be getting a shower.

[Noah]

The other guy I know that just went over that way said that there are insurance adjusters "standing on every street corner" with a pocket full of cash, paying contractors to "tighten up" homes to prevent further damage.  I've still not heard anything concrete enough to load the wagon up... but I'm listening.

[Mike]

Well, if you load up and head this way, holler... we'll get you in the woods.

[Noah]

Thanks Mike... don't you think for a second I'd make the trip without a dog

[Mike]

Load 'em!

[jls41]

Circle C - I can definately believe that the cost outweighed the value on that ice....especially if the story I got was true!! 

I may have heard a story or two that was "out there" from a truck driver or two!!   

[hammerhead]

I am not sure what trucks are getting for hauling but I have been getting $150.00 an hour for cleaning up around peoples houses with a skid loader and $30.00 per man on the ground.

[hammerhead]

I am sorry that is $30.00 dollars an hour per man on ground.

[bmoney]

i'm an insurance adjuster.  lots and lots of claims people in texas are not used to hurricanes.  people in fl and la know what to expect so they don't make a claim if there is not enough damage. the texas wind storm pool is going real slow because they want claims there way which is diffrent from any other storm i've ever worked. but back to ur question noah the people that i've seen are making about 300 a day for clean up and working 7-12s.  the money is in working for const. company/roofing company sales u can sell a ton of roofs and every one has got the money to fix them.