Having access to timely, trustworthy information is crucial when deciding how and when to act during a hurricane, especially during a year when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted the highest number of storms ever predicted. To date, the season has been particularly devastating, with Hurricane Helene causing significant damage to the southern US, particularly in Florida and the Carolinas.
Clients on High Alert
Businesses and organizations in the path of the storm put their response teams on high alert. Security leaders rapidly assessed the impact of the hurricane on operations, retail locations, employees, and travelers.
That’s where Crisis24 came in to assist – to reassure our clients and help them take action. Primary concerns were ensuring operational continuity, safeguarding employees, and making swift decisions about travel and evacuations. Through actionable intelligence, consulting with clients, and welfare checks, we helped our clients stay safe and minimize disruptions.
Crisis24 in Action: Proactive Measures and Communication Solutions
Crisis24's 24/7 embedded intelligence teams played a crucial role in keeping their clients informed. They delivered real-time updates on the hurricane's forecast and potential impacts, guiding stakeholders through evacuation zones, road closures, and utility outages. In one instance, over 100 travelers received wellness checks using our travel risk management platforms, and callers were connected to the Crisis24 GOC-operated hotline to facilitate response operations. Participation in client leadership briefings ensured that decision-makers had the latest information to maintain business continuity.
For clients using OnSolve by Crisis24, effective communication was the backbone of their support strategy. Their communications software enabled precise, multimodal messages before, during, and after the storm. Alerts covered hurricane warnings, flood advisories, and evacuation orders, while real-time risk intelligence updates kept clients informed of the storm's progress and necessary precautions. The information provided was tailored to each client, indicating which facilities might be in Hurricane Helene’s storm path.
Fig. 1 Example of online retailer’s facilities in storm path provided by OnSolve by Crisis24
The Outcome
The coordinated efforts across Crisis24 during Hurricane Helene, resulted in enhanced Duty of Care, quicker operational recovery, and pre-storm operational shifts that allowed businesses to continue to operate with minimal disruption.
One client, an online retailer based in Florida, wrote, “I can’t say enough for you and the team going above and beyond to provide us with the right information. I was able to monitor NSW alerts through the dashboard as well as early evacuation alerts, and this has been beyond helpful.”
Given the trajectory of this year’s storm season, businesses should be well prepared with this kind of holistic approach to critical event management.
