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Natural disasters can wreak havoc on businesses and communities. Getting back on their feet can be a challenge without essential resources. This is where disaster relief logistics comes into play. We’ll discuss why it’s important and how it can help your business and the community you live in.
Key takeaways:
Let’s take a closer look at these points to better understand how disaster relief functions.
Natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes can ravage communities and businesses. Survivors of these events find themselves in a vulnerable position and in need of essential goods. Business operations are severely hampered by the damage that natural disasters leave in their wake.
Relief logistics help businesses and communities return to normal after these events take place. To show how frequently natural disasters occur in the U.S., consider some statistics from 2024 that we’ve provided.
In total, there were 81 natural disasters that caused over $112 billion in insured losses to communities and businesses throughout the United States. The fact that so many catastrophes occur prove that relief logistics will always be an essential service.
Don’t wait for the next catastrophe. Set up a consulting session with our experts to establish a proactive disaster plan.
Natural disasters can lead to a variety of logistical challenges that hinder recovery efforts for businesses and residential areas.
Common challenges include:
Transportation companies must use a variety of solutions to overcome these challenges. This often includes implementing multiple modes of transportation and careful rout planning to circumvent damaged infrastructure and to speed up the shipping process.
As a result, communities receive life-saving goods in a timely manner and businesses are better able to maintain continuity in their operations.
Logistics providers offer a variety of services that contribute to disaster relief, often in ways that aren’t so obvious. We’ll explore what they have to offer and how it helps businesses and communities.
Time is everything after a natural catastrophe strikes. Transportation providers realize this, which is why they use expedited shipping to ensure the quick delivery of goods and equipment.
Expedited shipping is typically done using air and truckload methods of transport. Long distance shipments will travel mainly by plane, but truckload transport is used for the final mile. Shorter distance shipments use dedicated ground shipping exclusively.
Safe storage of goods and equipment is essential if your business is preparing for an extreme weather event. For example, if your business is in the path of a severe hurricane, there’s a good chance your storefront and the inventory within will be damaged.
A good solution is to keep your excess product in a warehouse that’s far away from the storm. Therefore, your product is safe from damage or loss if your storefront is destroyed.
3PLs can also help you with inventory management after a natural disaster. With this service, they’ll be able to track your supplies in real-time. When your supplies run low, as they typically do after a natural catastrophe, your 3PL can send you a shipment that will replenish your inventory.
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Heavy-haul transport is an essential transportation service when it comes to disaster relief. It’s often used to deploy heavy machinery that’s used to clear out debris and rebuild or repair infrastructure. Heavy-haul shipping is also used to move emergency shelters and specialized assets, such as:
Heavy-haul shipping doesn’t just bring equipment to a disaster. The service is frequently used to help transport debris out of affected areas. This aids in the cleanup of roads and communities
Relief logistics includes the delivery of essential items like food and medical supplies. Dry goods can be transported with standard dry van trailers. However, supplies like medicines and perishable foods require a refrigerated environment.
Fortunately, there are reefer trailers that provide temperature control solutions that keep these goods from spoiling while in transit. Planes also offer refrigerated shipping for perishable items if you require expedited shipping.
3PLs and other transportation providers don’t perform relief efforts alone. They work with different institutions to maximize the effectiveness of their services.
This includes:
Once essential aid is delivered by a 3PL, these entities help distribute goods to the people and businesses that need them the most. Here at Emergency Management Logistics, we work closely with business owners and communities to provide the best service possible.
Reach out to us today to ensure you have a plan in place before disaster strikes.
Here at Emergency Management Logistics, we have the resources to help you and your community recover from natural disasters. We have a vast network of carriers to transport relief supplies and warehouses for you to store your goods.
Services we provide include:
If you need more information, then call us at (855) 420-9447 or navigate to our contact page.