From the Driver’s Seat: Hurricane Michael
When it comes to hurricanes, there are two things you can be sure of. The first is that the Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore will be somewhere near the heart of the action. The second is that you’ll be hearing from ALAN in some form or fashion, even if it feels like you just got a similar update or advisory from us a few days ago.
All of that is to say that as Hurricane Michael nears landfall along the Florida Panhandle, we are actively preparing – and encouraging all of our partners to take this season’s latest major named storm as seriously as the ones that came before it.
Along those lines, we’d like to share several pre-storm reminders. Some are “old” (as in you’ve probably heard them from us countless times before). Some are new. But all are important to consider as we work together to ensure that any damage to life and health will be minimal — and that those who are impacted by the storm will get the resources and comfort they need. . . .
- Make personal safety a priority.
If you or your business facilities are located anywhere near Michael’s path, be sure to monitor your local National Weather Service forecast for real-time details. Please don’t ignore any warnings that pertain to you or your personnel, especially those that relate to evacuations and advice about when it’s safe to return. Michael is shaping up to be one of the biggest storms to ever hit the Florida Panhandle, with high winds and rains that could prove to be devastating, and its impact is not to be taken lightly.
- You can get information about storm-related road closures, facility closures and more by visiting this hurricane micro-site – or by following us on Twitter or connecting with us on Linked In.
We’ve recently updated our web site with Hurricane Michael information, and this is where we’ll be sharing everything from details about the storm’s latest path to how area transportation infrastructure is being impacted. It’s also where we’ll post specifics about how you can help with a meaningful donation of space, service or equipment. (On a related note, we’ve recently received many new requests for Hurricane Florence logistics assistance, so we hope you’ll also take a moment to consider helping out with those as well).
ALAN will also stay in touch with you via periodic e-mails, social media posts and – should circumstances merit – a Hurricane Michael conference call that you are welcome to attend.
- Don’t underestimate the value of an in-kind supply chain donation.
Logistics challenges and costs are among the largest hurdles that most relief organizations face after a disaster. As a result, the warehouse space, transportation service or material handling equipment that you’re willing to lend or donate could be one of the most valuable ways that your organization can help.
Feel free to make a “pre- offer” by visiting the How To Help section of our web site, because you never know when it might be needed. In addition, check the “Michael Needs” area of our hurricane web site often, bearing in mind that most of the hurricane-related requests we receive will probably arrive well after the storm has hit. (That’s because it usually takes emergency management officials and relief organizations a fair amount of time to assess impacts and determine which goods and services are most needed – and because most post-hurricane rebuilding and recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.)
- Don’t host a collection drive or simply drive to the impacted area with a load of supplies.
Although the intention behind these efforts is good, they often create more challenges than they solve – including adding more products to a supply chain that is already under tremendous strain and struggling to recovery. At a time when transportation capacity to disaster-impacted markets is already overloaded, the last thing we need to do is choke it even more.
- Let us know if you have a question, need or concern.
Should you need additional information, feel free contact us at [email protected]. Time permitting, we will do our best to work with our emergency partners or other contacts to get you a prompt answer.
On a final note, thank you for supporting us and those we serve. It’s never good news to hear that another hurricane is coming. But it’s always a comfort to know that we have so many amazing and amazingly generous partners who are ready and willing to help.