Following up on The Watercraft Journal’s article on Monday about flooding in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, which borders Uruguay and Argentina, WCJ has learned that FuelTech’s, well-known in PWC circles as a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance vehicle control units, has suffered severe damages from the recent storms and flooding in the Southern Brazil region.
FuelTech new company headquarters, located in the city of Porto Alegre in Rio Grande do Sul, is partially underwater after last weekend’s torrential rains, and company CEO Anderson Dick has posted on social media, saying that many of the company’s employees lost their homes.
In a post on Facebook on Monday, he stated, “The South of Brazil is under the worst natural disaster ever, over 300 cities under the water, flood (levels) never seen before, even 3ft higher than the historic 1941 flood. FuelTech new headquarters are flooded about 3 feet and we don’t know yet how bad it is. We did some actions to protect what we could. It will take a few days for the water to go down to actually see, but we will go through it.
But hundreds of thousands of people lost everything, at least 15 of our 200 employees lost their houses. Everyone is safe but we want to help them rebuild their houses. If anyone would like to donate something to help, it will be very (appreciated).
He provided a link to the fundraising site for those who would like to make donations.
In a recorded reel posted to his page some time prior, for which WCJ is relying on Google for translation, he stated, “It is in times of difficulty that you discover who is on your side! The employee who has lost everything and has no hope of recovering what took decades with his salary to buy, but with the solidarity of people who are able to donate a little so that he can rebuild his life.
This is perhaps the biggest investment the company can do at this moment, because the only way for the company to recover will be with the dedication of this employee and the entire team who, even though they didn’t lose anything, even donated to those in need and feel the same pride of being in a company that cares about everyone , which has the purpose of doing good for both those who run the company and its customers.
As bad as we feel now, I’m proud to say, even with my company under water, that with the strength of the union of the people who work at FuelTech and MANY customers, friends and suppliers, we will come out of this stronger, I’m absolutely sure!
The state of Rio Grande do Sul is on its knees, we need help in countless ways, thank you to everyone who is superheroes these days in different ways! We are collecting donations for those who want to help directly to the families of FuelTech employees who lost everything, this helps us more than directly as they are the force that we need to keep strong now… And for those who can help in another way, buy a FuelTech product on our website, it may be the excuse you needed, but it will help to rebuild this company that we care so much about!”
Per the the official Rio Grande do Sul social media accounts and information from the Rio Grande do Sul Governor’s Office and social media accounts, there is a confirmed avenue for donations, with US Donations being directed to Standard Chartered Bank in New York, Account Number 3544032986001, Swift SCBLUS33. Instructions say to include the following information with the donation to make sure it is directed to the Rio Grande do Sul disaster relief funds:
IBAN Code: BR5392702067001000645423206C1
Name: Associacao dos Bancos no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
CNPJ: 92.958.800/0001-38
According to a post by the Governor’s office, “The resources will be fully donated to humanitarian aid to flood victims and to reconstruction of urban infrastructure. The SOS Rio Grande do Sul account is an official and secure donation channel.
In an updated Reuters report from yesterday, May 8, at approximately 6 p.m. EST, resumed rain, lightning, hail and heavy winds interrupted rescue efforts in southern Brazil, and the death toll from the flooding, landslides, washed out roads and collapsed bridges has risen to more than 100 now, with 130 still listed as missing.
At 10 p.m. EST last night, AP reported that more than 230,000 residents have been displaced and are seeking shelter. Heavy rains are expected to continue through the coming weekend. A report by the National Confederation of Municipalities estimates damages at 4.6 billion reais ($930 million) in nearly 80% of Rio Grande do Sul’s municipalities.
Only two of Capital city Porto Alegre’s six water treatment plants were functioning, making drinking water a priority, according to a report from the mayor’s office, which also stated that water for hospitals and shelters were being supplied by tankers.According to the Reuters report, “Army soldiers used amphibious armored cars to rescue people from flooding in Canoas, just north of the city, where the waters have reached a depth of some three meters (10 ft) and the streets can only be navigated by boat.” Canoas is the hometown of PWC racers Tiago and Ismael Geitens, who have been assisting with rescue efforts on PWCs.
