Hurricane Ike updates from the Schipul team
Updated Hurricane Ike news from the Schipul crew
For updated information the Houston Red Cross, a Tendenci client, is working hard to keep the community informed on the latest emergency services on their site: www.houstonredcross.org.
11am Tuesday, 9/16/08
We are back in the office today! Some of our employees are still tending to their electricity-less homes, but we have a full crew on board today at the Schipul office.
We will be in touch with you regarding project deadlines, meetings and trainings as we set about working with our Houston-based clients and Community members that have been affected by the storm.
If you're a client in the Houston area and need assistance (office space with Internet and AC, Web posting help, etc.) PLEASE!! let us know. We are here to help you get back on your feet. You can reach us at (281) 497.6567.
For updated information the Houston Red Cross, a Tendenci client, is working hard to keep the community informed on the latest emergency services on their site: www.houstonredcross.org. Also, a Houston client Catholic Charities is asking for funds to assist them in bringing more food, water and supplies to the affected regions in Texas. You can find out more and donate online here.
10:30am Monday, 9/15/08
The Schipul office is closed today, Monday 9/15/08, as our employees are still returning to the city, picking up debris from their yards and crossing fingers for electricity!
If you have a Web site-related emergency, give us a call at (281) 497.6567, ext. 0 as we do have a Core Team in the office to assist you.
Of many blessings to count this weekend: all of our Web sites and email services were and up and running without interruption and our building was not damaged. We anticipate our office being officially open tomorrow.
9am Sunday, 9/14/08
Things are about the same in Houston (from what I'm told - I evacuated). More rain came through this morning with lots of thunder and lightning. The water is rising down south again. We're getting reports of store openings throughout Houston and surrounding areas. Still a lot of debris and flooded streets.
Most employees are still without power. Our office *DOES* have power. Our co-lo facility (where sites are hosted) also has city power with generators on stand by. All websites and email accounts are still up and running. Cell phone coverage is limited. We will get a core crew into the office as soon as possible. Please contact us for website related emergencies. 281.497.6567.
Thank you all for your understanding and patience.
Thanks,
J
11am Saturday, 9/13/08
Ike definitely let his presence be known to all of Houston and surrounding areas.
We are currently assessing damage and contacting employees. Everyone appears to be safe from harm and only suffered minor damage to homes. The biggest challenge is debris and no electricity. More details to come.
All websites and email accounts appear to be up and running. That's a bit of good news! We are monitoring websites and email as much as possible. Between all employees we have good coverage. Please contact the office for website related emergencies only. 281.497.6567.
Please keep all of the people affected by Ike in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks,
J
5pm Friday, 9/12/08 Our office was officially closed today, Friday September 12th, as we were all attending to our families and Ike preparations at home (and for some of us, on the road). We did have a small team in the office most of the day to handle a couple of inquiries and respond to some well wishers :)
All Web sites and email accounts are up and running. We are all safe in our various spots, watching the clouds (and the Weather Channel) and waiting for landfall.
Schipul's Number One Value is: Safety First!
Whether we're talking about the security of your data online or the physical safety of you and our Community, our company focus on Safety and Security is always utmost in our minds.
The Schipul office will be closed Friday, September 12th as our employees will be with their families preparing for the weather ahead. We will have our Core Team in the office during that time, so if you have a Web site related emergency please call us at (281) 497.6567, ext. 0.
All other emergencies should be directed towards your local authorities - check out the Houston Red Cross site for more details.
Is your Web site powered by our Tendenci software? Be sure to brush up on some of the amazing Emergency Response First Responder features that you can start using to communicate with your site members today!
Here are some sites and resources to help you, your family and business prepare and make it through Hurricane Ike and beyond! Be sure to keep an eye on our Tendenci Blog for updates: http://blog.tendenci.com
Maps and Information:
Current Active Hurricane tracking mashup: www.stormpulse.com
Wind Maps for Sustained winds by zip code: http://www.houstonhidefromthewind.org/
Houston Office of Emergency Management: http://www.houstontx.gov/oem/index.html
Evacuation Routes: http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/weather/hurricane_evac.html
Preparedness Kits and lists:
Interactive online tool to help build a kit: http://www.texasprepares.org/ReadyOrNot/Client/Essentials.aspx This creates a printable shopping list and walks you through the basics of stocking supplies. Place supplies in a large storage box so everything is together and labeled. If needed pull the box into the safest room in your house or loaded in the car if you have to leave quickly.
http://www.onestorm.org/default.aspx?ReturnUrl=/OnePlan/ Online site helping make a plan and review resources. Very thorough, but takes a few minutes to go through the questions. Payoff… you can save and return later and it is very comprehensive to complete your steps to be more prepared. Printable task list for steps needing additional work.
http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html
Firestorm, a Schipul and Tendenci client, has published a handy emergency preparedness book. The books offer a monthly activity that will prepare your family for most disasters over a twelve month period. http://www.firestorm.com/aboutthebook/
Protecting Your Home:
www.plylox.com for Hurricane clips. Most local stores (Home Depot) have ½” clips, or you can order ¾” clips from http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/GBF-0156/34quot-PlyLox-Hurricane-Clips-20-ct Use these to easily install plywood to cover window openings without having to drill through bricks or window frames.
http://hurricaneworkshop.blogspot.com/2008/05/about-your-electric-and-natural-gas.html Power restoration times for a hurricane by CenterPoint Energy. Guess what, your house is NOT their priority. Hospitals, water treatment plants and emergency services are first to have power restored, then business areas, then residential.
