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Hurricane Preparedness: Are You Ready?

August 27, 2019
Jim Wills
It seems like the weather is noteworthy news almost daily with high heat indexes and what appears to be higher than normal thunderstorm activity. In early August, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Colorado State University meteorological team updated their forecast and raised the predictions for the current hurricane season. Why? A big factor is the El Niño in the Pacific, which has a strong influence on Atlantic storm activity, has ended. New predictions for the season anticipate 10-17 named storms, 5-9 of which could become hurricanes, including 2-4 that are anticipated to become a CAT 3 or higher.

In the spirit of Gilbane Cares, we highly encourage that warnings and evacuation requests from local authorities be honored and taken seriously. Gilbane’s partner,  GRS Reconstruction Services, uses the same precautions while responding for our clients: close enough to support a recovery effort but far enough so as not to jeopardize the safety of our recovery teams. To enable clients to be prepared, GRS offers pre-loss agreements so they have a partner when the unthinkable occurs. Helping companies to be proactive versus reactive is critical to reducing business interruption during a disaster.

 width=GRS Reconstruction Services (GRS) was created to deliver a single-source approach to getting facilities operational by conducting initial damage assessments, providing estimates, remediation services, and reconstruction after disaster strikes. This collaborative service model maximizes owner control over restoration scope, costs and schedule while seeking to minimize conflicts with property insurance settlements. The GRS model is uniquely focused to provide the most timely, cost effective approach to our clients along with the information necessary to allow them to make informed decisions in dealing with the loss.

At GRS our mission is to assist our clients as partners when the unexpected occurs. By applying a holistic approach in combining project management, engineering services and building consulting, we are able to address an issue that has been lacking in the restoration industry. Our project teams bring the experience necessary to balance pressures from various stakeholders during the life cycle of a property loss. Our ability to efficiently source and scale resources positions GRS to complete projects within tight time lines and to ultimately provide a positive impact on business interruption.

You can be ready!  Connect with GRS today to discuss your recovery questions and concerns.

GRS is comprised of three partner firms including Gilbane Building Company, DND Construction Services and Halliwell Engineering Associates. 




About Authors
Jim Wills has over 36 years of restoration and disaster planning experience. He holds his Associate in Business Continuity Certification (ABCP) as well as the Certified Business Continuity Vendor Certification (CBCV) through Disaster Recovery Institute. Jim is a licensed All-lines Insurance Adjuster and has been the Managing Director of Commercial Loss Solutions for two of North America’s largest restoration and recovery organizations. GRS Disaster Response is the first construction management company to introduce the design-build and open book pricing model to the insurance claims industry. Jim has provided consulting services for major insurance companies after some of the nation’s worst natural disasters. He has been a speaker at many trade and industry organizations.
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