Exchanges across the Eastern seaboard were prepared for the worst as Hurricane Isaias made its way up the coast. The hurricane brought only heavy wind and rain and most Exchanges came through unscathed, with the exception being some minor water damage sustained at the Fort Bragg Exchange.
The Exchange’s unique capabilities were on full display, from its distribution center in Virginia to its stores, in preparation for the hurricane. As the storm approached Florida and the Carolinas, the Exchange’s Disaster Support group began meeting and emergency shipments of supplies were shipped.
“As part of the pre-planning process, we did a lot of prep work to build emergency inventory not only to traditionally impacted facilities but in our distribution centers as well,” said PAR Manager, Allocation and Replenishment Kevin Brett. “Due to this extensive planning ahead of time, coupled with the relative low impact of Isaias, inventory needs were overall extremely minimal.”
Forty-three pallets of water, 18 generators, 384 gas cans and 120 extension cords, among other items, were funneled to stores in the storm’s path.
Three emergency orders of supplies arrived to Exchanges at Fort Bragg and Seymour Johnson AFB on Aug. 1 while four additional orders arrived at Fort Bragg and MacDill, Charleston and Seymour Johnson AFBs Aug. 4 through 6, ensuring that stores were fully stocked.
“Fortunately, this did not turn out to be as bad as hurricanes we’ve seen the past few years,” said Exchange Eastern Region Senior Vice President Bob White. “The tireless work of our logistics, merchandising and fuel teams, as well as the Dan Daniel Distribution Center and the associates in the field, ensured that service members and their families were prepared for the worst.”
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