On August 27, Hurricane Laura made landfall in southwestern Louisiana, causing significant damage to Carboline’s Lake Charles manufacturing plant and distribution center. The manufacturing plant sustained some structural damage, while the distribution center experienced extensive roof damage. Due to the widespread devastation of the storm, there is no power or running water in the entire area, with no definite timeline as to when it will be restored.

Following the storm, Carboline’s first priority was the safety of its associates. The impact was far-reaching—approximately 110 employees, including temporary workers and maintenance contractors, sustained home damage ranging from cosmetic to total loss. Carboline provided temporary housing for these associates, as well as transportation to and from the Lake Charles facilities. Generators, window AC units, dehumidifiers, food, clothing, gas and other necessities are also being made available to them.

In the wake of Hurricane Laura, the Carboline team rose to the occasion under the leadership of Mike Steinberger, Carboline’s vice president of operations. Led by associates John Kleinfelder, Fred Smith, Chad Coleman, Adam Hodes and Charles Beal, teams from across Houston, LaPorte, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Atlanta secured the Fruge Street warehouse as a command center for the week. The Carboline Gulf East and Gulf West regions, under the leadership of sales directors Paul Gagnon and Brad Treuting, continue to demonstrate the Carboline “Why” at its best, sending numerous sales and tech service personnel into the local area to help.

A special recognition is also in order for Lance West, sales rep of Carboline’s Gulf West, for coordinating activity on the ground to tarp roofs, cut trees, remove debris and more for fellow associates who were impacted. In the true meaning of partnership, the team from Lafayette Paint—a long-time Carboline distributor—was onsite cutting trees and clearing debris to help Carboline get back up and running as quickly as possible. To add to this incredible joint effort, numerous donations poured in from associates across RPM, its Performance Coatings Group and other sister companies. The team at Prime Resins even organized a drive to collect various necessities for Carboline’s affected associates.

In order to get Carboline’s Lake Charles plant and warehouse back up and running, industrial generators and large water containers were brought in. This incredible display of teamwork and support across RPM allowed Carboline to manufacture its first batch of paint since Hurricane Laura on September 6—an extraordinary feat in the face of extreme adversity.

For those who wish to donate or express their support, Carboline has set up a Hurricane Relief GoFundMe through its CarboCare program at gf.me/u/yvsy5u.

Provide Hurricane Relief to Carboline Associates at gf.me/u/yvsy5u