In the past two days I think I’ve spent more time on www.weather.com than I have in the last two years combined.
Clicking through the interactive maps and reading the dire warnings to East Coast residents makes following Hurricane Irene both fascinating and frightening. Based on the facts, figures and projections, Irene has the potential to be a historical storm that could severely impact the entire East Coast.
Over the last couple of days we’ve received messages from our carrier partners – transportation companies keeping us informed of the storm’s progress. Today, these updates are arriving at a more intense frequency as carriers share details of their contingency plans and news of hub closures. There’s a general message in all of these updates: carriers are doing everything they can to keep freight moving while keeping employee safety a priority.
So what can shippers do?
- Allow as much lead time as possible for all shipments, especially those heading to the East Coast.
- Keep abreast of the storm’s progress and understand how it may affect your freight operations. Work closely with your transportation planners.
- Be flexible. Carriers are prepared to adjust delivery routes, reposition people and equipment, adjust hours of operation and consolidate loads bound for affected areas. As one carrier told us, do not expect “business as usual.”
- If and when a delivery delay is expected, contact your customers and keep them informed of the situation.
- Cooperate as much as possible with carriers. A storm of this magnitude compromises the safety of their staffs and the resilience of their businesses. Your understanding and flexibility will go a long way in regards to your current and long-term relationships with carriers.
Most importantly, stay safe. Remember, business is business but your safety and the safety of others is paramount. If you live in the affected areas, don’t shrug off the warnings; make a plan. Be proactive, be safe.
Preparing for Irene
In the past two days I think I’ve spent more time on www.weather.com than I have in the last two years combined.
Clicking through the interactive maps and reading the dire warnings to East Coast residents makes following Hurricane Irene both fascinating and frightening. Based on the facts, figures and projections, Irene has the potential to be a historical storm that could severely impact the entire East Coast.
Over the last couple of days we’ve received messages from our carrier partners – transportation companies keeping us informed of the storm’s progress. Today, these updates are arriving at a more intense frequency as carriers share details of their contingency plans and news of hub closures. There’s a general message in all of these updates: carriers are doing everything they can to keep freight moving while keeping employee safety a priority.
So what can shippers do?
Most importantly, stay safe. Remember, business is business but your safety and the safety of others is paramount. If you live in the affected areas, don’t shrug off the warnings; make a plan. Be proactive, be safe.