Gustav's wake

Builders and contractors in Odessa do not expect price increases or delays in materials as a result of this season's hurricanes along the Gulf Coast.

Following last week's landfall of Hurricane Gustav, Odessa builder Larry Lee said, "We don't expect any increases because of the hurricane. There was no massive destruction like there was in Hurricane Katrina.

"We haven't been notified of any increases in cost by anyone," Lee said.

The one-two punch of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August and September 2005, respectively, caused such massive damage to New Orleans, Gulfport, Miss., and other Gulf Coast cities that the construction industry and other businesses that depended on concrete and other building materials suffered a shortage.

But, Lee said, the same result is not expected this time for a couple of reasons.

"California is not building now like they were then," he said. "And, you didn't see the kind of destruction that you had in Katrina."

Much the same assessment of the expected impact from Hurricane Gustav was offered by Brad Ward, vice president of Cashway Lumber in Odessa.

"We might see a quick jump in the price," Ward said, "but it wasn't as bad as before so the price won't stay up."

He said Cashway Lumber did not expect any problems with availability because of Gustav.

Glen Larum, public information officer for the district office of the Texas Department of Transportation, said TxDOT doesn't feel building material problems as quickly as building contractors. Still, he said he doubts that similar supply problems will be experienced this time.

"There was so much damage with Katrina that it was overwhelming," Larum said. "There was not nearly that much damage this time."