THOMASVILLE — Numerous inclement weather events in the past weeks have ravaged south Georgia. The string of severe weather has led to increased demand for a Thomasville manufacturing plant’s products — along with surge of shock from learning the plant is a local business. 

Survive-a-Storm Shelters provides a variety of storm havens for when destructive weather strikes. 

“Seventy-hour weeks have become the normal,” Kaitlin Parramore, vice president of sales, said of the increased demand.  

The demand is evident in the 22 units dispersed throughout the Thomas and Grady county area. 

Twenty-six units have been sold in the Albany, Tifton and Adel area. Parramore said the majority of the units are in Albany, one of the hardest hit areas from the weather’s wrath.  

With each storm shelter sold, 5 percent will be donated to Second Harvest of South Georgia, Parramore said. 

The plant is also willing to partner with other organizations for disaster relief. 

“We keep a constant eye on contracts put out to bid for cleanup,” Parramore added. 

The shelter manufacturer, located at 1207 Sunset Drive, has been in Thomasville for almost 20 years. Despite being in Thomasville close to two decades, Parramore said she receives frequent surprise responses of people discovering the plant, particularly in the wake of the recent weather. 

The demand — and curiosity — has not only led to an increase in physical customer foot traffic, but also digital. 

Typically averaging 500 to 600 websites visits, the number increased to 3,500 virtual visits a day. The plant also garnered 2,000 additional social media interactions within two weeks of the recent inclement weather. 

“The response has just been very receptive,” Parramore said. 

For more information on Survive-a-Storm Shelters, contact (888) 360-1492. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.