By Brenda Showalter, The Republic
bshowalter@therepublic.com
When Haw Creek rushed over its banks under the State Street bridge, a concrete flood wall crumbled, and water flooded Mariah Foods' 22-acre site and 150,000-square-foot building.
Bill Jones, assistant general manager, said huge sections of concrete broke apart and floated across the property. Water gushed in the building, flipping furniture, breaking office doors and mangling large loading dock doors. Pavement surrounding the building buckled, semitrailers tipped over, and inventory was ruined.
"Once the flood levee broke, we had three to eight feet of water on literally everything on the first floor," Jones said. "The whole back of the property got washed away."
He estimates the company lost about $1.5 million in food products and $1 million in packing supplies and materials.
Inside a large, chilled room, huge stacks of boxed meat products had lined shelves. Since water got to many of the boxes and electricity was out for awhile, the meat must be discarded.
Damage to the structure, grounds and machinery has not been determined, and about 200 workers temporarily are unemployed.
Despite the destruction and huge cleanup ahead, Jones said the company is determined to recover.
Mariah, which also operates a retail store on Stadler Drive, was established in 1929 as Stadler Meat Packing Co. Mariah purchased the facility in 1984.
After decades of slaughtering and rendering, Mariah only has processed and packed products since 1994.
Jones said during local f ooding in 2005, he saw only a small amount of water come over the flood levee. Last Saturday, workers started evacuating at about 6:30 p.m. By 8:30 p.m., everyone was out, including eight who were rescued by boat.
"It came up so quick," Jones said. "At first it was seeping over slow, then it came faster and faster."
The good news, Jones said: inspectors have determined the building is structurally sound. Weeks ahead will include lots of cleaning.
Jones said Mariah has flood insurance. "It won't cover everything, but at least it's a good start." and reopen. "My biggest wish is that we can open again in 30 days," Jones said. "That's my goal."