The 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially came to a close on Sunday, November 30, marking the end of a season that produced a record number of consecutive storms to strike the United States and ranks as one of the more active seasons in the 64 years since comprehensive records began.

Continue reading Atlantic Hurricane Season Sets Records

Tags: Business Continuity, disaster preparedness, Disaster Recovery, hurricane preparedness, hurricanes

Wireless networking in the face of wind, lightning strikes and other Gulf weather events
By Jake Widman

October 13, 2008 (Computerworld) When Lance Gibson talks about a storm knocking out his systems, he doesn’t mean the infamous worm. He might be referring to the latest hurricane to sweep through the Gulf of Mexico or to the lightning accompanying a vicious thunderstorm.

See Extreme IT: Hurricanes, high winds and heavy seas in the Gulf of Mexico.

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When a Hurricane or Flood Threatens:
- How do we maintain mission-critical operations?
- How do we protect and recover our workforce?
- How do we protect business assets?
- How do we recover from a catastrophic event?

The COMPLETE HURRICANE & FLOOD PLAN FOR BUSINESS provides a step-by-step planning template.

Tags: hurricane preparedness, I.T. DIsaster Recovery

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently published a new report entitled Disaster Recovery: Past Experiences Offer Insights for Recovering from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav and Other Recent Natural Disasters.

The report seeks to capture some of the main disaster recovery lessons that have emerged from six major disasters that occurred from 1989 to 2005.

Among other things GAO found the following insights:

• Create a clear, implementable, and timely recovery plan. Effective plans provide a road map for recovery.
• Build state and local capacity for recovery. State and local governments need certain capacities to effectively make use of federal assistance, including having sufficient financial resources and technical know-how.
• Implement strategies for businesses recovery. Business recovery is a key element of a community’s recovery. Small businesses can be especially vulnerable to major disasters because they often lack resources to sustain financial losses.
• Adopt a comprehensive approach toward combating fraud, waste, and abuse. The influx of financial assistance after a major disaster provides increased opportunities for these things. Looking for ways to combat such activities before, during, and after a disaster can help states and localities protect residents from contractor fraud as well as safeguard the financial assistance they allocate to victims.

To download a copy of the report, click here.

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When a Hurricane or Flood Threatens:
- How do we maintain mission-critical operations?
- How do we protect and recover our workforce?
- How do we protect business assets?
- How do we recover from a catastrophic event?

The COMPLETE HURRICANE & FLOOD PLAN FOR BUSINESS provides a step-by-step planning template.

Tags: hurricane preparedness, natural disasters

In NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) August, 2008 update regarding the Atlantic hurricane season outlook, its Climate Prediction Center has increased the likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season and has raised the total number of named storms and hurricanes that may form.  Forecasters attribute this adjustment to atmospheric and oceanic conditions across the Atlantic Basin that favor storm development – combined with the strong early season activity.

NOAA now projects an 85 percent probability of an above-normal season – up from 65 percent in May. The updated outlook includes a 67 percent chance of 14 to 18 named storms, of which seven to 10 are expected to become hurricanes, including three to six major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. These ranges encompass the entire season, which ends November 30, and include the five storms that have formed thus far.

In May, the outlook called for 12 to 16 named storms, including six to nine hurricanes and two to five major hurricanes. An average Atlantic hurricane season has 11 named storms, including six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

“Leading indicators for an above-normal season during 2008 include the continuing multi-decadal signal – atmospheric and oceanic conditions that have spawned increased hurricane activity since 1995 – and the lingering effects of La Niña,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Some of these conditions include reduced wind shear, weaker trade winds, an active West African monsoon system, the winds coming off of Africa and warmer-than-average water in the Atlantic Ocean.”

Another indicator favoring an above-normal hurricane season is a very active July, the third most active since 1886.  Even so, there is still a 10 percent chance of a near normal season and a five percent chance of a below normal season.

Being prepared for hurricanes sure beats floundering around (pun intended) when one hits.  Complete Hurricane & Flood Plan for Business: A Disaster Prevention and Recovery Template is an easy-to-use yet powerful template to build your own hurricane plan.

Tags: Disaster Recovery, emergency preparedness, hurricane preparedness

Hurricane Season: Disaster Readiness Tips from James Lee Witt

James Lee Witt, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under President Clinton and now a disaster recovery consultant, talks about readiness during this hurricane season.

Complete Hurricane & Flood Plan for Business: A Disaster Prevention and Recovery Template on CD-ROM is an easy-to-use template for hurricane planning.

Tags: hurricane preparedness