Did you plan properly? Did you plan for the worse worse case senario? Did you test your plan?
In my case, because of historical data, I never planned for a storm surge of such magnitude, I failed to plan for such a catastrophroic event. As such, I didn't plan properly.
Historically, flooding in my area never exceed 4' of water. In my building we never exceeded 18" of water. Sandy brought 5+ feet of water.
So how did you fare?
Its okay to respond anonymously.
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Am I the only honest person here. Businesses had to have losses, even if it were to lost productivity because the workforce couldn't make it in, or concentrate properly....
BTW, I'm still not functioning at 50% and probably won't be improving much for another week or so. Office needs to be rebuilt; data recovered; servers/workstations reconfigured.
Wayne - Are other businesses in your area as affected as you are? I only saw pictures of the devastation, I could not imagine being impacted in ways that people in that area were. Did many of your firm's clients suffer also? Being in Knoxville, TN we rarely get any disasters, especially ones like Sandy, Isaac, Irene, etc. You mentioned you did prepare properly, does that include your insurance coverage? Where in the affected area are you?
Just up the block is a restaurant. They were flooded out. Other businesses in Freeport I know were flooded, because the area always floods (obviously much higher with this storm).
Business continuity is many fold, one (as mentioned before) is loss of productivity from absenteeism or employees who can't devote themselves to produce (because of emotional stress). I'm sure other businesses not flooded directly are or did suffer.
Believe it or not, my wife has encountered people who a) never lost power, b) haven't done the disaster touring and are clueless to the extent of the damage. In all the neighborhoods up and down the south shore (and I'm told the north shore) of Long Island, you saw/see piles of sheetrock, furniture, wood, and bags of garbage from what were first level/basements of homes.
I'm still living in a hotel and expect to be back in my house Tuesday/Wednesday after heat and hot water is restored.
BTW, the National Flood Insurance Program isn't very good, lots of loopholes, and my house is one of them, which is why I didn't subscribe to paying insurance premiums for very little return.
Here's a good one, I filed on-line for SBA loans. They don't give you an opportunity to print the application. When I asked how I get a copy.... you'll love this... I need to make a FOIA request.
I suspect many business owners devastated by Sandy just aren't available for commenting online in a business owner discussion forum.
I imagine they will have some inspiring stories to tell in the future when they, god willing, get back on their feet. The Journal is following a handful of businesses and their struggles. It really makes me feel grateful for so many easily-overlooked gifts. I hope things go well and improve quickly for you, Wayne.
