WorldWide Drilling Resource

84 MAY 2014 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® 1775-136 1785-102 Winches 1775 " $( #" '# #" $ (& " '# #) % " * ))) %+ " + #! Wire Rope 1785 ! ! " ! # Protect Your Company from Natural Disasters Compiled by Bonnie Love, Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Whether it is a hurricane, flood, earth- quake, snowstorm, wildfire, or tornado, natural disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. It is important to take appro- priate measures to protect your busi- ness from these disasters. According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), nearly 40% of small businesses never reopen following a disaster. The damage caused by just a few inches of water can cost your company tens of thousands of dollars. Although every state is susceptible to natural disasters, FEMA reports the states with the most major disaster declarations are: 10. Missouri 54 9. Arkansas 55 8. Kentucky 56 7. Alabama 57 6. Louisiana 60 5. Florida 66 4. New York 68 3. Oklahoma 74 2. California 78 1. Texas 87 That list changes drastically when you consider the property loss from natu- al disasters over the past decade. 10. Missouri - 8 winter storms, hur- ricane Isaac (which caused signifi- cant flooding to the state in 2012), and 44 other severe weather events - $7.3 billion. 9. Oklahoma - 7 winter storms and 41 severe weather events - $7.3 bil- lion. 8. Tennessee - 1 tropical storm, 3 hurricanes, 5 winter storms, and 31 severe weather events - $7.7 bil- lion. 7. Alabama - 2 tropical storms, 5 winter storms, 7 hurricanes, and 26 severe weather events - $8.1 billion. 6. New Jersey - 1 tropical storm, 5 hurricanes, 14 winter storms, and 15 severe weather events - $8.9 billion. 5. New York - 2 tropical storms, 6 hurricanes, 17 winter storms, and 29 severe weather events - $13.3 bil- lion. 4. Mississippi - 1 winter storm, 2 tropical storms, 7 hurricanes, and 26 severe weather events - $14.9 billion. 3. Texas - 1 wildfire, 1 tropical storm, 4 hurricanes, 7 winter storms, and 60 severe weather events - $26.7 billion. 2. Florida - 3 tropical storms, 8 hur- ricanes, and 12 severe weather events - $31.6 billion. 1. Louisiana - 2 tropical storms, 7 hurricanes, and 20 severe weather events - $32.4 billion. Protect your business records and in- ventory; these will be critical to resuming normal business operations. Lost or dam- aged inventory can be costly. 8 Keep valuable inventory above flood levels and make sure it’s se- cured. 8 Regularly backup copies of your electronic files, such as billing and payroll, and store this backup in a secure off-site location. 8 Move servers and computer equip- ment away from windows and above flood levels. 8 Secure fuel tanks and gas cylin- ders. 8 Anchor large equipment secure- ly and away from propane tanks and gas cylinders. 8 Consider reinforcing large shop doors, and protect windows and doors with covers. 8 Make sure employees know what to do in the event of a natural dis- aster. Keep a list of contact numbers for all employees, as well as emer- gency and insurance contact num- bers. For additional tips, visit the FEMA Web site. Florida, ironically called the Sunshine State, has more thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lightning strikes per square mile than any other state. Photo of tornado spawned in Panama City, Florida, during Hurricane Ivan courtesy of The News Herald.