The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season to be near-normal with regards to the number of named storms and hurricanes. The NOAA predicts between 9 to15 named storms of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 2 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). It’s more important now than ever to prepare for hurricane season to protect your family, properties, and self from disaster.

Preparing for severe weather (e.g. hurricanes, tropical storms, and torrential downpours) can make a difference in how quickly you respond. Don’t wait until a hurricane is approaching before considering your family's preparedness. History teaches that a lack of awareness and planning are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. Knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take can reduce the effects of a severe weather disaster.

Continue reading on how to prepare your home and family for a hurricane,...

Historic flooding threatened to inundate homes and businesses in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and surrounding areas in late May. Upon seeing that the city had set up a sandbag distribution point at Oral Roberts University, Cotton Team members jumped into action.

Cotton employees from Houston who were in the region to assist with restoration work picked up shovels and assisted the city, filling sandbags for residents who needed them. The heavy rains and flooding reminded them of the devastation and subsequent help after Hurricane Harvey.

"The same way we received help from Oklahomans during Harvey, we wanted to come and help,” explained Josh Rios, Cotton supervisor.

Read more at TulsaWorld.com.

May is National Building Safety Month, an annual awareness campaign presented by the International Code Council. This year’s theme is “No Code. No Confidence.” The campaign, now in its 39th year, reinforces the need for the adoption of modern, regularly-updated building codes, and helps individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures.

Cotton can bring buildings into code compliance and improve their safety before damage and losses can occur. If your building hasn’t been inspected recently for code violations, call Cotton today to request a walkthrough. In addition to code compliance, we can discuss and update your business continuity plan in the event of a disaster or emergency. With our experts’ help, you will have complete confidence in the safety of your business.

With hurricane season...

The start of Hurricane season is weeks away, but severe weather doesn’t stick to a calendar. When spring comes, so does damaging winds, an increased threat of tornadoes and flooding rains. Be prepared for another year of severe weather with these tips:

• Communicate with your employees: You should already have an emergency plan, but do all of your employees know it? Do they know how to prepare and where to go? Communicate your emergency plan every year at the start of severe weather season.
• Refresh your emergency kit: For those who may have to ride out a period without power, make sure you have supplies that work. Check food expiration dates, refresh bottled water supplies, replenish anything that has been used.
• Have emergency phone numbers in writing: The aftermath of destructive weather can be chaotic. Post emergency phone numbers in a place where your employees can access them: utilities, insurance companies, company leadership and other important stakeholders.
• ...

An excerpt from Cotton’s EVP of Risk Management Lance Ewing’s column from Best’s Review

Alan King, the comedian and actor, once quipped, “the other day my house caught on fire. My lawyer said, 'Shouldn't be a problem. What kind of coverage do you have?' I said fire and theft. The lawyer frowned. 'Uh oh, wrong kind of insurance. Should be fire OR theft.'” Or so the story goes.

Insurance policies are truly claims policies. Insurers pay their premium with the anticipation that the claim will be paid when the loss occurs to their business or property. Yet many times, that is not the case.

When there is a claim dispute, many corporate risk managers and homeowners jump from receiving the denial of the claim to “Let's sue the insurance carrier.” A better philosophy for a denied property claim would be: Negotiate, mediate, arbitrate and only then litigate. Litigation against an insurance carrier should be the arrow of last resort in the quiver. Litigation puts the outcome of the dispute in the hands of a third party and removes the decision-making from the two...

You already know that Cotton will be there for you in an emergency, but did you know that Cotton will also be there for you when you’re ready to spruce up your business? If you’re looking at aging decor or spaces that no longer work for your growing company, we also shine at construction projects and quality interior renovations.

Benefits of choosing Cotton:

• A single point-of-contact for your entire project
• Assurance that your building can remain occupied and functional while construction is ongoing
• Off-hours construction for completion of loud or disruptive projects
• Flexibility to add projects as work progresses
• Professional, safety-focused workforce

Services we provide:

• Build-outs
• Retrofits
• Remodeling
• Finish work
• Maintenance
• Energy efficiency upgrades

You know that we are experienced in being an agile company, so you can rely on us to get your project done efficiently, correctly and on-time. Contact Cotton today to start building the future of your...

Two years in a row of destructive hurricanes have proven that having a business continuity plan is vital for the health and success of any organization. Disasters come in all shapes and sizes, anywhere in the world, and any iota of preparation can save lives and minimize disruption of your operations.

Cotton can help you refresh your business continuity plan with our first-hand knowledge of current and future risks. Our experts have helped businesses through many scenarios; here are just a few that your business should consider:

• How long can your business survive an operational interruption?
• When was your corporate emergency plan developed?
• Does your business have an alternate operations center if your primary workplace becomes inaccessible?
• What would happen if you lost temporary access to your company’s financial assets?
• Are all hazardous chemicals contained in compliance with current health, safety and environmental standards?

There is much more that Cotton can think through with you as you start the new year with...

Safety is not just a requirement at Cotton, it’s a core principle. Our team encourages safe work practices at all times, on every job site. This holiday season, we encourage our clients and employees to stay safe at home, too. Here are some tips and reminders to help all of us keep safety top-of-mind:

• According to the National Fire Prevention Association, faulty electrical equipment is the cause of 40 percent of Christmas tree fires. Make sure there are no exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets on your Christmas lights. And be careful not to overload your electrical circuits.
• Fireplaces are cozy, but they need to be used carefully. Get your fireplace cleaned and inspected for improper venting every year.
• Some decorative holiday plants can be poisonous and should be kept out of reach of children or pets. This includes poinsettia, mistletoe berries, holly berry, and Jerusalem cherry.
• The National Fire Protection Association reports that 12 percent of home candle fires occur in December. Don't burn candles near trees,...

As winter approaches, it's time to prepare your business for cold weather and storms. In addition to checking windows for leaks and ensuring your heating system is functioning properly, you should give some thought to your roof.

Roofing professionals advise businesses to get their roofs inspected not just once, but twice per year - ideally in the spring and fall. By doing so, you protect your company’s assets, ensure the comfort of your workers, and prolong the life of your roof.

Here are few other measures you can take as a business owner or facility manager to prepare your roof for winter and ensure year-round protection:

• Gather all of your roofing documents into a file to easily access to all of your roof’s information. This will help you keep up with routine maintenance, repair history, warranty information and all of the details of your roof. Don’t let your roof’s information retire along with your facility manager!

• In addition to regular inspections, it’s a good idea to have one performed after severe weather...

October 22, 2018

The Cotton Team cannot express enough how deeply sorry we are for any losses and we recognize how hard the struggle will be to rebuild from Hurricane Michael. Many have lost their loved ones, homes, belongings, schools, businesses and their livelihood. After seeing the storm’s devastation first-hand, we know how hard the struggle will be to rebuild, but we want to extend a heartfelt message of hope.

Cotton is in the region and has mobilized a Command Center in Panama City Beach. We have supplied public and private sectors with temporary facilities, backup power generation, catering, and emergency food services, as well as other logistical support. Furthermore, we are providing the necessary support to our clients in the region by restoring, remediating and reconstructing roofs and structures quickly.

I speak for the entire Cotton Team when I say that we deeply care about the people and communities we serve, and we pride ourselves in these moments to help them piece back their lives. You have lost more than we can imagine, and we want you to know...