Message from Jerry Coleman
“When things go wrong” … The way you respond is what matters!
Lumberton Terminal shines in the wake of a storm
As you know, a transportation company faces a lot of uncertainty each day. As a scheduled services company, we have a plan for every day we operate. Of course, an unforeseen disruption can alter that plan without notice. Disruptions can be minor or major. Regardless, the problem must be dealt with in a satisfactory way.
Hurricane Debby was a tremendous storm covering the majority of our territory, bringing powerful winds and relentless rain. While many of our Terminal locations experienced only minor impacts, Lumberton faced a more daunting challenge. The severity of the storm highlighted the vulnerabilities we needed to address quickly.
The Lumber River, typically a serene waterway about a half mile from our property, became a major concern. As Debby struck Lumberton, the torrential rainfall transformed the river into a significant hazard, raising alarms about potential flooding. The once-tranquil river now threatened to overflow, adding to the urgency of our response.
Meteorologists forecasted the river to overflow, posing a serious risk of flooding to our facility. This potential flooding threatened not only our operations but also the safety of our employees and the essential services we provide. In response, our team closely monitored the situation and prepared for possible evacuation and operational adjustments to ensure the continuity of our critical services.
Our corporate management team quickly began researching data to assess the likelihood of our facility being submerged. Although there were no immediate signs of flooding, the conditions suggested an increasing risk.
We carefully monitored the situation, preparing for the possibility that the river could overflow its banks. This potential flooding posed a serious threat not only to our property but also to our operations and the safety of our employees.
If the river did overflow, we anticipated significant disruptions to our services. Given the critical nature of transporting life-saving drugs, it was crucial to implement a plan to ensure continuity and minimize any service interruptions.
With very little time to react, it was decided to locate another facility from which to operate. Our team quickly mobilized, making a series of urgent calls and conducting research to find an available and suitable alternative location.
Sharon Williams, our Lumberton Terminal Manager, took charge of the relocation efforts. She meticulously organized the move to the new facility, ensuring that operations continued smoothly and efficiently despite the challenging circumstances.
Thanks to Sharon’s exceptional leadership and the dedication of our team, we were able to maintain a 95%+ on-time incident-free service level throughout the transition. Her efforts, along with those of everyone involved, ensured that our critical services remained uninterrupted.
Thanks to all!