While much initial reaction of supply chain executives to the threat of supply chain disruption posed by Hurricane Sandy has been to protect people and assets and to reroute and rearrange activities to minimize disruptions, there is an ongoing role after the danger has passed for your own operations. According to Jock Menzies, president of The American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), requests were already going out in advance of the storm making landfall for warehouse space or emergency operations center space.

Kathy Fulton at ALAN notes, “Our government partners are very interested in business open/closed status, especially for retail as this helps identify possible gaps in product/service availability. We are encouraging businesses to sign up with state/national business emergency operations centers for bidirectional information sharing. Also, businesses wishing to offer donations of products or services can contact us and we can help direct their offer.”

ALAN has been monitoring the formation of the storm and its progress and has been involved in planning and preparations for the response once the impact of the storm is known.

According to ALAN, in anticipation of the impacts of Hurricane Sandy, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) National Response Coordination Center was slated to be fully activated. As part of ESF 15, the National Business Emergency Operation Center was also activated.

ALAN noted, “The governors of Virginia and Maryland have declared states of emergency – this may impact trucking interests for waivers of hours of service or weight restrictions. (FMCSA http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov)”

Rite Aid reported, “Rite Aid stores in anticipated areas of impact have stocked up on supplies to help residents get ready and urge them to plan ahead.”

In a statement, Rite Aid said, “Rite Aid stores in the potential path of the Category 1 hurricane have increased supplies of bottled water, batteries, flashlights, canned foods including pet food, first aid supplies, disposable cameras, and other emergency provisions such as duct tape and cleaning supplies. Residents in the storm's potential path should heed local municipal warnings and prepare accordingly.”

In addition, Rite Aid said persons evacuated from their homes can visit any Rite Aid in any city and state for their prescriptions because “the company’s satellite-linked computer network assures a complete customer prescription history at any Rite Aid store.” The company said individuals can find the closest open Rite Aid by calling 1-800-RITE-AID (1-800-748-3243) and pressing “0” or asking for Customer Service.

To contact ALAN, go to www.alanaid.org or to see what relief needs are, go to http://alanaid.org/relief-needs.php.

Update added 28 October 2012 11.45 pm Eastern

ALAN provided the following table of contacts for road condition information

Road Condition Information by State