Palmer Called In To Assess Tornado Damage (March, 2008)

On Friday night, March 14, 2008 a tornado swept through downtown Atlanta. On Saturday PEC was called to the site of the Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill Lofts (also known as the Stacks Lofts). Although this was not until that day a PEC project, the Contractor and Architect working on interior renovations both recommended us to the Atlanta Fire Marshall’s office. The worst damage was at Building E where most of the roof was gone, the top floor was essentially demolished, and two bays had pancaked four stories all the way into the basement. Miraculously, no tenants in the partially occupied building were hurt. We were pleased to provide emergency evaluation assistance to the Fire Department, and we continue to assist with design for stabilization and reconstruction.

More importantly, though, we want to express our gratitude to Atlanta’s first responders. The men and women of the Atlanta Fire Department, the Atlanta Police Department, the Red Cross, and other support organizations worked through the night and the entire weekend. They risked their own safety to ensure that all of the tenants were safe and accounted for, and when consulting with us as to structural damage, they were clearly worried about safety first with cost and inconvenience a distant second. Our hard hats are off to Assistant Fire Chief Chris Wessels and his entire team, as well as all the other first responders. We can’t thank you enough.