Cross Rhodes lost computers, scanners, and printers in the flood.
By Ed Avis
Elmer Rhodes has long known that a cold water stream runs deep under his reprographics shop, Cross Rhodes Reprographics, in St. Louis. But last month the heavy rains in Missouri and Illinois forced that little stream to seek more room, and it found the room in Rhodes’ shop floor!
“I came in on Sunday morning to do get some work done, and discovered about four inches of water in the shop,” says Rhodes, an IRgA board member. “It knocked out two of our 9800s – the water was actually inside them, and it knocked out two scanners.”
In addition, the water soaked surge protectors on the floor, blowing out several Macintosh computers. And the shop’s entire stock of paper was ruined.
“It was $50,000 worth of damage,” Rhodes says.
To the Rescue
Fortunately, a competitor down the street stepped up and helped Rhodes out.
“Document Imaging Systems saved me,” Rhodes says. “They let us set up in their shop, and let me run all my work there. They let me post my crew right in their production area.”
That kindness allowed Cross Rhodes to continue operating without missing a beat. A crew from ServPro arrived on Friday to clean up the damage, and the shop reopened Monday.
“The ServPro crew had to come in from Chicago because all of the local crews were busy,” Rhodes says. “But now we’re back up and running.”