UPDATE ON STEVE KROENKE

[TX Rehabber]

I just received a call from Troy Galloway, a Dallas Landlord who drove out to Steve's at 4 am and is on his way back. Steve is okay..his house lost part of its roof, the barn is gone. Bob's house had hardly any damage. There is no phone or cell service at this time.

The Colony was in shambles. When Troy left there was only 5 poles left standing between the 2 colonies. The poles down had been either bent at 45 degree angles, broken off at the ground or completely pulled up from the ground, concrete and all. One gourd rack was found 80 ft away. After doing a check of all housing there was about a dozen birds found dead, about 60 had been trapped by nesting material in housing, 500 eggs destroyed and only 1 ASY Male unable to fly. I will meet with Troy later to take delivery for rehab.

I believe Troy told me that Scott was still there after driving up from S. Louisiana when he left.

I can't tell anyone at this time what is the best way to contact them for offers of help. Hopefully, they will let us know soon.

All of our prayers go out to everyone.

[KathyF]

Thank you, Penny for updating everyone. I'm so relieved & happy to hear that there weren't more martin losses. I'm even happier to hear that there are people there helping Steve & Bob.

[Louise Chambers]

Thanks for the news, Penny. There is a lot to do, but it's good to know how things stand.

Troy indicated that what Steve will likely need most are ground stakes. Until we hear from him or a helper, to tell us what size, shape, and how many, we will have to wait to offer help with getting replacements.

Phone service out, no electric for a few days - if anyone is close enough to offer direct aid, that would probably be nice down the road a bit, when there are holes to dig and concrete to pour for ground stakes.

Steve has PMCA racks, CUENT racks, and Troyer racks. Ground stake sizes may vary, but we'll do our best to find out what's needed so those who wish to help can do so.

[M.Stephens]

I am going Friday morning ...if anyone knows what is needed PLEASE let me know. I'll be taking post hole diggers and quick set cement for sure.

[M.Stephens]

Just received a call from a local martin landlord whom Steve mentors from Leesville.
The electricity will probably be out for a week or more as trees are all over power lines in the area. Over 1/2 of their colony was destroyed, about 300 or more birds.
They managed to get most of Steve's poles back up except for his gemini rack.
Steve will still have to eventually replace the poles and some ground stakes.
They cut about 2 or 3 feet off the bottom of the poles where they were bent and managed to put the cemented ground stakes back in the ground.
Bob is hard headed and doesn't want any help and managed to get his trio-castles back up and wants to fix his poles that are laying on the ground himself.
Just thank God they are alright and I'm sure Steve will bounce back.

[Scott D.- La]

I have just returned from Steve's and will give a brief update. Most of the systems are back up except for a couple that will require part's. For the most part, he is back in business and his spirits are high. Many systems were damaged and had to be cut and modified. We managed to straighten most of the ground stakes are at least get them to a useable condition. While many will require replacement parts to be 100%, he will be able to get through the Martin season. Steve's phone is now in service although no electric at 8.30 pm when I left. I will let Steve fill in the rest of the story.

[geezer]

This news lifts a great burden from all of Steve's Friends & Fans at this site. Thanks for the update!

geezer

[KathyF]

Over 1/2 of their colony was destroyed, about 300 or more birds.

300 birds where - at Steve's mentor's site or at Steve's site? We heard last night that there were only a dozen killed at Steve's site...

[Scott D.- La]

Kathy,
there were many displaced prior to getting the housing back up perhaps, that is what he meant. As for as dead Martins, most of the dead I saw came from the Super System that was snapped in half and blown 50 yards from where it stood. It will take Steve a day or two to come up with a estimate of what was lost. Hopefully, it was no more than 50 to 75 Martins. As they came in last night, it was impressive the amount of birds that Steve and Bob have at that site and is still very much a Super Colony !

[M.Stephens]

I was just relaying the message I was told last night. I am glad I'm wrong and Steve and his colony will be ok .
That is great news!!
I'll be glad to hear from Steve.

[Louise Chambers]

Scott,

Blessings on you for going and helping, same for Troy.

PMCA will have a Kroenke Tornado Fund that people can donate funds to, for Steve to use. CUENT will is very kindly providing whatever replacement parts Steve needs for their systems, as soon as he can get that info to them.

BUT please wait til we find out what Steve's needs are - Steve & friends did a great job getting housing up asap, releasing trapped birds, etc. I hope he'll let us know more as soon as he's able.

[trisha]

Louise, I'm glad a fund will be set up to help Steve and Bob. For those of us who are unable to travel to help him, it is nice to know we can make a donation to help. Please let me know when it is set up so I can make a donation.

[Scott D.- La]

Louise,
Happy to help, I certainly owed it to Steve and PMCA. Troy Galloway, Sam Fertitta, Robert Jernigan, together made it possible to get this all accomplished. Steve it appears, has many people that care about him and will write a big story of his and Bob's ordeal and post pics as soon as he is able.

[KathyF]

Scott, thanks - and you're a heckuva guy for rushing up to help Steve like that. And same to Troy, Sam & Robert....WOW - so nice to see the response from this community to help a friend in need. So proud to be a part of this group!

I was thinking last night that Steve is probably already writing this story in his head. Glad to hear his birds are already coming back.

One thing I'm curious about is how did the Troyer gourds hold up, with getting banged into the ground? It seems to me from looking at their construction that although the tunnels/porches may break off, they would mostly just bounce on the ground....such quality construction!

[tonyg]

Great to hear the good news coming in from Steve and Bob's colony site. Many kudo's to Scott and the people who have helped them get back on their feet. Scott I was wondering ( if you knew) if Steve's homeowners policy would cover the damage done to his colony site? I have been told by my agent here in Ks. that all buildings and structures on property would be covered and that was including racks, gourds, etc. Would be nice if Steve's and Bob's was the same...Once again thanks to you and those involved for helping. I have been through a tornado (76) and very well know the destruction they cause..

[Scott D.- La]

Kathy,
Overall, they held up very well. Most damage was in the form of porches and such. A few had holes ripped in them from being crushed to the ground at such velocity.
Tony, Yes, Steve has insurance and about all I know. We will have to wait and see how all that goes when Steve is able to get back online.

[V & B's Michigan PM's]

Glad to hear that he has things back up....prayin that there isnt anymoe martins lost...

[Winger]

I am relieved to hear the progress that Steve has made with the help from so many of you.

We will be watching for the "Fund" to be set up.

Sincere regards to all, Tammy~

[Doug Martin - PA]

This is truly inspiring and great news.

I still say Martin folks are the simply the best people on the planet.

Doug

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

I also want to express my thanks to Troy, Sam, Scott, Robert and anyone else for getting to Steve's in his time of need. Lets hope this is the last time he or any martin landlord has to go through this type of travesty.

Tim