Howling Winds

In my last blog I talked about a recent trip to Miami … well, this blog also goes out to those folks located in Southern Florida, as news reports send out more warnings about what is currently (and hopefully will remain) Tropical Storm Fay.

Luckily, few hurricanes ever venture so far as our location in Virginia. Growing up near Virginia Beach brought me into some contact with hurricanes, and whenever I hear the news reports these days I recall running to a window during the eerie silence of a hurricane’s eye (obviously not the smartest move) and staring at the odd green-blue cast of the sky before the bottom broke once again and the rain came pouring down.

Well, that and those few key scenes at the end of Key Largo …

The last major hurricane with which I crossed paths was Hurricane Isabel. I have distinct memories of the time I passed with a flashlight and a novel on the (interior) bathroom’s floor while my apartment’s glass patio doors threatened to rattle off their hinges and more than a few trees fell outside.

A lot of people out there who have hunkered down listening to that sound of rattling glass, waiting for the shatter, know how valuable it can be to have a glazing contractor at the ready the following day to come pick up the pieces—and install the news ones.

At USGNN.com we aim to track many of these major hurricanes to serve our readers on two levels. First, all businesses are disrupted when a major storm comes through, but glazing contractors and glass retailers are among those involved in the recovery efforts and keeping these businesses on their feet to help others is vitally important. We aim to offer tips and suggestions for businesses in these storm areas, such as those provided in a recent USGlass article on hurricane products.

Second, because our readers are involved in these recovery efforts … we aim to help track areas where resources may be taxed and companies from somewhat further afield may benefit from assisting in glass replacement efforts.

Are these reports a helpful service to you?

Do you have any suggestions that you’d like to offer to your colleagues for preparing your business for hurricanes and other bad weather? Leave a comment here or send me an email at mheadley@glass.com.

Thanks for letting us know—and good luck to those of you riding out this coming storm.