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.

You’ve heard meteorologists refer to a hurricane as Category 3, but what does that actually mean? Discover the difference between each hurricane category, according to the Saffir-Simpson wind scale, and how it can affect your business.

The Cotton Team is grateful for the first responders who continuously work to protect our communities, despite the risks. In Puerto Rico, our team showed their appreciation by providing complimentary vehicle disinfection for the police officers and municipal employees of Toa Baja, Guayanilla, Loiza, and Guaynabo.

Since opening our office in Guaynabo in 2018, the community has embraced our team and trusts us to restore their businesses. Being able to give back to those who have graciously welcomed us was both an honor and a privilege. As we look to the future, we hope to expand our community outreach efforts and restoration services to better serve business leaders and their communities in Puerto Rico.

To all of the first responders, thank you for your courageous and selfless acts. The Cotton Team appreciates and admires you. Visit cottonpr.com to meet our team in Puerto Rico, or call 939-286-6190 to speak to a local representative.

Review your emergency plan and prepare your company for the hurricane season.

Hurricane season is quickly approaching and experts from Colorado State University (CSU) predict it will be an above-average year. According to CSU’s research, 16 named tropical storms will form, eight of which will become hurricanes, and four of those are expected to become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5).

Whether your business is located along the coast or hundreds of miles inland, you should prepare your property and employees for potential tropical threats. After 24 years in the commercial restoration industry, Cotton Global Disaster Solutions has witnessed the importance of having a plan for every stage - before, during, and after the storm. Knowing how to react could help save lives and reduce business interruptions.

To help you plan, we’ve gathered valuable information that can easily be saved and shared with others. In addition, continue to monitor the latest health guidelines from the...