Ladder Up: November Edition

Welcome to this month’s edition of Ladder Up: Stellar Insights. While the tropics could still become active, we are seeing fewer storms impact the United States and are almost to the end of the 2024 hurricane season. This month, we will give an update on U.S. hail impacts, how to maximize your insurance claim post-disaster and roof coatings. A few members of our staff also shared some of their favorite Thanksgiving recipes with us!

OCTOBER WEATHER DATA

As we near the end of the year, we are finally beginning to see a shift in weather patterns. La Ni?a has fueled some of the hailstorms that we have continued to experience in the recent months since warmer air temperatures and general atmospheric instability allow hail to form.

We saw another drop in days when it hailed, which continues the pattern we expect to see this time of year. The number of states affected by hail also decreased as this type of weather appeared to occur in a more centralized region of the U.S. Kansas saw the most instances of hail, with 17 different cities experiencing hail, all of which fell on or after October 21. Iowa was not far behind, with 11 different cities impacted by hail. Looking ahead to November, we expect to see a dramatic decrease in days when it hails based on last year’s data. There were only 4 days when hail fell in November 2023.

This past month, the tropics remained impactful. Hurricane Milton devastated the state of Florida weeks after Helene. Milton experienced dramatic intensification, becoming a Category 5 hurricane within the span of 24 hours. As it neared the coast, Milton weakened and was a Category 3 hurricane upon landfall. Milton made its way across Florida to its eastern coast and became a post-tropical depression, eventually dissipating near Bermuda. Currently, Milton is estimated to have caused $85 billion dollars in damage and is the strongest cyclone of 2024 worldwide.

Tropical Storm Nadine and Hurricane Oscar both formed late in October. While neither impacted the United States, Nadine brought heavy rain to Central America and Oscar made landfall in Cuba, bringing torrential rain and heavy wind that caused catastrophic landslides.

If you have experienced damage to your commercial building’s roof from any type of natural disaster this year, have your roof inspected immediately to mitigate damage. Fill out our contact form online to schedule a free evaluation.

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM FOR ROOF DAMAGE

Hailstorms can cause significant damage to commercial roofs, and as a building owner or property manager, understanding the insurance process is key to protecting your investment. Here’s how you can ensure your roof is replaced properly with like-kind and quality:

1. Recognize the Signs of Hail Damage

Hail damage isn’t always visible from the ground. Some common signs include:

???????Dents or cracks in metal components like HVAC units, gutters or vents.

???????Soft spots, punctures or missing granules on roofing materials.

???????Water stains or leaks inside your building.?

Even if the damage seems small, it can lead to larger problems over time if not addressed.

2. Schedule a Professional Roofing Inspection

After a hailstorm, it’s critical to have a qualified roofing contractor assess your roof. A professional inspection can:

???????Help you identify damage that might not be visible to the untrained eye.

???????Provide a detailed report of the condition of your roof.

While we are not public adjusters, our team provides expert insights about your roof’s condition, which you can share with your insurance company or adjuster.

3. Choose a Roofing Contractor Experienced in Hail Damage

Not all roofing contractors have the expertise to properly assess and repair hail damage. Working with a team experienced in storm restoration ensures:

·????? High-quality repairs that address all visible and hard-to-see damage.

·????? Knowledgeable recommendations on the best roof replacement solution for your roof.

Why Choose Us?

We specialize in restoring commercial roofs after storms and are here to provide:

???????Comprehensive inspections.

????????High-quality roofing solutions tailored to your needs.

We’re here to support you by restoring your property to its original condition and protecting your investment.

Check out this case study to discover our capabilities and see what our clients say about us!

ROOF COATINGS

Roof coatings have become a viable option for building owners and property managers who do not need a total roof replacement but want to extend the life of their roof. Coatings are a cost-effective solution for those who may have a few leaks or areas of concern that can be coated effectively, sealing the opening causing the issue. Your building’s location will help determine the formulation needed. Silicone is by far the most popular choice for roof coatings.

Learn more about how a roof coating can enhance longevity and efficiency for your commercial building on our website!

STAFF PICKS: FAVORITE THANKSGIVING DISHES

Are you running out of ideas about what to make for Thanksgiving this year? Our staff has shared some of their favorite Thanksgiving dishes. If you are looking to shake things up this Thanksgiving, give some of them a try!

JACKIE COBLE – OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Dish: Mac and Cheese

Jackie’s great-grandmother used to make this dish for every special occasion, so Thanksgiving is never complete without it!

Recipe:

• 1 package of Large Elbow Noodles
• 1 can of Evaporated Milk
• 2 blocks of Velveeta Cheese?
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Boil noodles, but once they are boiled, only dump out 2/3 of the water, keep the rest. In increments, add in cut-up blocks of cheese and milk until it is all melted and has the taste you desire. This makes the mac and cheese extra creamy.?

RIANNON BANKS – NATIONAL SALES CONSULTANT

Dish: Cinnamon Chip Banana Loaf

Riannon says this is the pinnacle of banana bread. It doesn’t have nuts (unless you want them) and is loaded with cinnamon, so it’s practically dessert!

Recipe:

·????? 4 cups Flour

·????? 1 tsp Baking Soda

·????? ? tsp Baking Powder

·????? ? tsp Salt

·????? 4 Ripe Bananas

·????? ? cup Sour Cream

·????? 2 tsp Vanilla

·????? 14 tbsp Butter/Margarine

·????? 2 cups Sugar

·????? 4 Eggs

·????? 1 1/3 cups Cinnamon Chips

·????? 1 cup Nuts (optional)

Toppings:

2 tbsp Butter/Margarine

2 tbsp Milk

1 1/2 cup Confectioners’ Sugar

? to 1/3 cup Nuts

3 tbsp Melted Cinnamon Chips

1.??????? Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9x5x3 inch loaf pans.

2.??????? Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

1. Blend banana, sour cream and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Beat butter in another large bowl until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour mixture alternately with banana mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir in cinnamon chips and nuts. Divide batter between pans.
3. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center tests clean. Let loaves cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Turn loaves out onto racks, let cool completely.

Toppings: Melt butter in milk in a saucepan. Pour into a bowl. Gradually whisk in sugar until good drizzling consistency; add more milk if needed. Drizzle half over each loaf. Sprinkle nuts over each. Drizzle melted chips over each loaf. Wrap tightly in plastic. Store at room temperature up to two days, in the refrigerator three to four days or in the freezer up to one month.

JEREMIAH GARCIA – SUPERINTENDENT

Dish: Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Jeremiah said he must have a sweet potato casserole on the Thanksgiving table. It reminds him of his grandparents and childhood! No recipe just an all-time favorite!

CHRIS SOMOGE – VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Dish: Pecan Pie

While Chris’ family doesn’t typically do a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, he did say his favorite dish is pecan pie. No recipe, just an all-time favorite! They plan on doing Italian food this year for Thanksgiving - what a fun idea!

We hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! If you try any of our staff’s recipes, let us know how they turn out.?

Is there something you want us to discuss? Send us a message through our contact form on our website, StellarTeamUSA.com, and it could be featured in next month’s newsletter.