The first day of winter might not be until December 21, but across the country, many are already feeling the chill. Of course, the winter season and its effects mean different things for different people. Many businesses find themselves dealing with specific emergencies when the cold weather starts rolling in. In fact, according to The Hartford, 15% of all small business property and liability claims come from freezing damage and winter-specific water damage alone. The best way to enjoy the season without dealing with winter damage is by keeping the following in mind.

Minimizing Roof Damage Due to Ice or Snow Accumulation

Snowball fights, building snowmen, there’s nothing quite like fresh snowfall to bring out the magic of the season. However, snow, alongside ice, can spell danger for a business. If a snowstorm brings a large amount of snowfall to the area, or if rain accumulates and freezes in large amounts, your business’s roof could be in trouble. The added weight can...

According to a study done by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2019 there were 120,000 non-residential fires in the United States, causing $4.3 billion in direct property damage. Though the top causes vary by industry, based on NFPA reports, the majority of fires in commercial properties are caused by cooking equipment, electrical distribution/lighting equipment, heating equipment, and arson.

• Call in The Fire Restoration Experts
• Educating your staff and tenants on fire prevention is a smart move for any business, but education can’t guarantee that a fire will never occur. Should your commercial property experience a fire, there are two people you should call – your insurance adjuster and a professional restoration company. With over twenty years of experience in commercial...

In August, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had to raise their predictions for the Atlantic Hurricane Season from 13-19 named storms to 19-25. With two months left in the season and 23 storms in, businesses should remain alert and refresh their emergency plans as needed.

To help you through the rest of the season, our team has put together the Cotton Hurricane Resource Hub with tips on pre-loss planning and how to recover your business after a storm. We’ve also included information about our services and case studies that showcase Cotton Global Disaster Solutions’ full suite of capabilities.

Each section of the Hurricane Resource Hub was designed to help business leaders and property managers with three very important preparedness topics - Make A Plan, Prepare for Disasters, and Have A Trusted Partner.

• Make A Plan
• Design an emergency plan that every employee can easily follow. Where will they go if they’re on the property...

4,000 Meals and Water Cases Distributed to Families in Lake Charles

In the weeks since Hurricane Laura’s destruction, Cotton GDS, Cotton Logistics, and Cotton Culinary have been working diligently to provide water damage mitigation, roof repairs, reconstruction, temporary facilities, and thousands of meals to businesses affected by the storm. In addition to helping our clients, Cotton wanted to give back to the community we’re a part of.

On Thursday, September 10, members of the Cotton leadership team and volunteers from Cotton’s Community Response team loaded our box trucks and set up a drive-by distribution station in Lake Charles. Over the course of several hours, we distributed 4,000 meal packs and water cases to community residents.

None of this would have been possible without the generous help of our partners: Sysco,...

To our friends, families, and neighbors affected by Hurricane Laura, the hearts of the entire Cotton Team are with you.

This week, we saw how quickly and drastically a hurricane can impact an entire city. As we returned to our office in Lake Charles and visited communities in the path of the storm, we saw buildings destroyed and homes torn apart. It’s not easy to see because these aren’t just buildings or physical homes; they represent our community. They’re where we dedicate our talents to provide for our families and house our most cherished memories of each generation. Each building has a story to tell, and it’s our story.

As part of this community, Cotton is heartbroken to see the destruction. We’ll be doing everything we can to bring normalcy to Lake Charles, Orange, Beaumont, and the rest of the communities impacted by Hurricane Laura. The road to recovery is long, but we are confident in its success because the community is resilient and optimistic.

The Cotton Team is currently in the field, assessing damages with clients and providing temporary...

Article provided by Lance J. Ewing, Executive Vice President (EVP) of Global Risk Management for Cotton Global Disaster Solutions. He is former president of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) and is a frequent keynote speaker on Crisis Management.

President John F. Kennedy once stated, “When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.” The year 2020 certainly has qualified as a year of both. COVID- 19, economic and job impacts, protests, riots and unrest would all qualify as danger or challenges for this year. On the other hand, the opportunities have been to work from home or anywhere, increased use and innovation of technology, Federal, state and local reassessments and improvements on handling a pandemic, an increase in medical supplies and equipment and, most importantly, a full review by businesses of their crisis management plan. The timeworn saying is that “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Clearly, 2020 demonstrates that planning is the key to success for...

Cotton Roofing has been honored with one of the most prestigious awards in the commercial roofing industry. Excellence in Single-Ply (ESP) was established in 1998 as a means to recognize Carlisle SynTec Systems’ most loyal and dedicated authorized applicators. When partnering with recipients of this exclusive award, clients can rest assured they’ve trusted their business to the very best in the industry.

Awarded annually, only the most accomplished applicators achieve ESP status. Qualification is determined by sales volume, product mix, high-performance assemblies, and quality of workmanship.

The entire Cotton Team is proud of our roofing technicians and leadership for their continuous achievements and dedication to our clients. To learn more about Cotton Roofing’s capabilities, visit CottonRoofing.com.

During a hurricane or tropical storm, high winds and excessive rainfall can destroy commercial properties and the important assets within them. Knowing what to do once the storm has passed will help businesses recover faster so they can get back to serving their community.

If your property has just gone through a hurricane, tropical storm, or another catastrophic event, follow the guide below to start the recovery process.

1. Hire a Disaster Recovery Company

The first thing your business should do following a severe storm is to engage a full-service disaster recovery firm to assess the damage, develop a scope of work, liaise with insurers, and carry out necessary services.

Professional disaster recovery firms have the experience and technology needed to properly perform water restoration services, such as water extraction,...

Getting a business or organization back up and running after a high-impact weather event or catastrophe can be challenging, stressful, and costly. However, proactive measures and a strong recovery plan can minimize some of those threats and help a business return to normalcy more efficiently.

The following checklist is designed to help business leaders formulate a plan that protects their people, organization, and assets before a hurricane or tropical storm arrives.

WHAT TO DO NOW

• Set up a system that helps you locate and communicate with employees, clients, and partners during a hurricane or other disaster.

• Know your inventory of assets, where they’re located, and how to protect them from water, wind, gas shortages, and power outages

• Plan ahead by consulting with a disaster recovery company regarding business continuance and recovery of property.

PREPARATIONS BEFORE LANDFALL

• Continuously monitor weather reports...

By now, many businesses have reopened and are navigating the unknown with caution. New safety protocols have been put in place and day-to-day operations have shifted to meet the needs of the business, as well as those of the consumers.

We understand that your primary goals are maintaining a safe space and avoiding further business interruption, which is why Cotton Global Disaster Solutions remains at your side. Our team is ready to help you with cautionary measures and required disinfection as needed.

To better understand the different procedures - cautionary and required - and what to expect, download our whitepaper below and share it with your team.