LA MARQUE, Texas—After six weeks of devastating images from Hurricane Ike, Debbie Marshall’s blown-down backyard fence might not seem like that much of a big deal. However, it is a big deal to her.

“My fence has been down since the storm,” said Marshall.

“Now everybody will see how bad my backyard looks,” she said.

What’s worse, Marshall said, is that it will take months before her fence is fixed.

“We’re looking to next year to have it back up,” she said.

The reason for the delay, Marshall said, is that Houston-area fence companies are overwhelmed.

In fact, most companies that 11 News contacted said they have a customer waiting list of at least four to six weeks.

11 News photo

Most companies that 11 News contacted said they have a customer waiting list of at least four to six weeks.

Brian Walker is with Advantage Fence Co.

His crews are doing repair work in Marshall’s neighborhood.

“It’s unbelievable. I mean it’s unbelievable,” said Walker.

“I could be here for probably four months,” he said.

Walker said that his company is averaging 50 to 60 calls a day.

“We probably, in two months time, have gotten as many calls as we get in a whole year. It’s unreal,” he said.

Walker’s message to homeowners is to be patient.