chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...another source of funds is the SBA. I got a small business loan from them first time around, interest is low and the payments are low also!

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

What kind of equipment (brand) did you lose?

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Sorry! Yes! I misread or misunderstood the sequence of events. I thought he cancelled his insurance after the water damage, not as a result of a falloff of business due to the pandemic. Bad news! I can, however, understand that when income is interrupted and there are problems in feeding the family and paying rent or mortgage payments, folks cut expenses on things that may not present an immediate need. Climate change is a real crisis but it is not at the forefront of most people's priorities. Politics aside, if you are not a scientist or meteorologist, who could imagine a devastating blizzard or an ice storm in Texas.

Up here in Canada, we get some very long and cold Winters. The building codes, heating equipment, and hydro-electric grids are engineered according, Nonetheless we do have power outages, frozen water mains, sinkholes and otere disastrous occurrences. There are unfortunate and disenfranchised persons who are homeless and arefoud frozen to death.

I hope Jay finds assistance from his family, friends, clients, and the various governmental relief plans that others here have recommended. He should still document his damages and do whatever paperwork is required to apply for help without delay. Sometimes the claims are handled on a first-come basis.

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Was there a tap outside the building? I ask because here in Canada we have outside shut offs and losses due to water damage when this valve is not securely closed will void insurance policy
Btw yes I am an insurance broker

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

This is a sad story. Did you rent the studio space and is there any chance the landlord has responsibility for the pipes freezing.

ShelbyDave Loc: Lone Rock, WI

I am so sorry to hear about your losses. I hope some of the good suggestions here work out for you. It is hard, but look into some of these suggestions and with some perseverance things should work out for you. Keep us posted and we will be praying for you.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

That is a great question. If the landlord is responsible then maybe their insurance will cove most, if not all, the damages.

anotherview Loc: California

There you go.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

The story of your loss is truly heartbreaking. So many have lost so much due to Mother Nature's cruelty.

Commercial and industrial plumbing, fire protection, heating and air conditioning was my business before retirement. The first thing we would do when a storm was predicted was to advise our clients that if there was a threat of losing power to "Turn off the water service to the building" and open all faucets. Fire sprinkler systems were far more difficult to protect although they too can be protected.

Frozen pipes are not the problem.....thawed pipes are the problem..! Even though much of a building's water network may be damaged from freezing at least it would minimize the water damage caused by continuous gushing pipes.

Novots Loc: Grand Forks, ND

I wonder if members of this great photography forum have enough gear laying around that we could get him going again. I'm guessing most of us have some gear we could donate. I'm not sure what he was shooting but am guessing that he would use whatever he received. What do people think?

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Sorry to hear. Hopefully you will recover soon.

Saxguy Loc: Plano, TX

Sorry to hear it Jay. I too live in the Dallas area. I was fortunate to only lose power for 40 minutes about the last day of the bitter cold. I dont know if can help, but I did hear that FEMA will be here in Texas. Possibly something you can do for your home that goes over and above property insurance is what they were talking about.

GrannyAnnie

I am so sorry and I cannot imagine facing this loss. I agree with JRiepe. Please keep us posted.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Sorry to hear
Things will work themselves out
Be patient

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Devastating news Jay. There must be some sort of relief mechanism is Dallas for sudden & unexpected accidents like yours. The American Red Cross may be of some assistance in locating a new place for you or connecting you with an agency that can help-out . When folks lose their homes to fire & wind,these guys come to their aid and Fema as well.........hang in there man and good luck to you and your family. So sorry for your misery.

Jimbo