Sunbelt Rentals has set up camp for about three dozen of its employees temporarily displaced by Hurricane Ike at its Pasadena, Texas, branch. Sunbelt’s senior operational vice president for the Western territory Francis Hassis, now a veteran of hurricane rescue missions, told RER that the powerful storm caused damage, some quite significant, to the homes of many Sunbelt employees.

Millions of people in South Texas have been affected by the largest blackout in Texas history. Many roads and arteries are impassable, thus delaying employees’ access to their property for some time to come. All but one of Sunbelt’s branches were up and running by Monday after the hurricane. Quite a few of the company’s branches sustained damage and many are still without power.

Sunbelt Rentals rented trailers and its staff has been barbecuing meals for its people. In addition to being displaced from their homes, most commercial businesses are closed because of lack of power.

Hassis said Sunbelt Rentals was able to locate all of its employees in the region and all are safe.