Hurricane Katrina Coverage - Airgas, Inc.

27 branches in the Gulf States region

-- Industrial Distribution, 9/9/2005

All Airgas’ local employees were accounted for, and all but five of its Airgas Gulf States division’s 27 branches were up and running as of Sept. 7, according to company spokesman Jim Ely.

However, two of Airgas’ small branches near New Orleans--in Buras and Chalmette, La.--were heavily damaged.

The branches that were up and running immediately following the storm were busy supplying medical oxygen, acetylene and other products necessary for the rescue and recovery operations, Ely said.

Click here to read the full report on the initial effects of Hurricane Katrina.