A poorly organized Tropical Depression Nine was moving into the extreme southeast Gulf of Mexico early this morning. The forecast track for the next couple of days is to the west and then northwest into the east central Gulf of Mexico, possibly intensifying into a tropical storm, then curving north and northeast towards Florida by the middle of the week.

A large degree of uncertainty remains regarding the depression’s anticipated track and intensity; however. it is likely to develop into a tropical storm over the coming days.

This information reflects this morning’s National Weather Service 5:00 am CDT advisory.

J.W. Allen Preparedness & Business Continuity

While a great deal of uncertainty remains regarding the storm’s projected path and further development, we are actively monitoring Tropical Depression Nine and will follow up with additional updates regarding its development as a new information becomes available.

Based on the storms current location, J.W. Allen & Company is presently operating under Phase V of our “Catastrophe / Business Continuity” plan. Following is a summary of our Phase V operations:

Phase V: Active tropical depression, tropical storm, or hurricane is in the Gulf of Mexico.

NOTE: As appropriate to the situation, only those applicable points in Phase V will apply in the event of a national or local emergency or catastrophe.

New Orleans not in the cone of uncertainty:
1. General staff notification hurricane Phase V is in effect.
2. Regular monitoring by management or designated staff of weather situation by radio, internet, television, etc.
3. Regular staff updates on weather conditions.
4. Decision on the release of second client/vendor communication, that an evacuation was not necessary, and/ or that:
a) JWA’s physical office is not yet open, but business is being handled off site, etc. or;
b) JWA’s office is open as normal.

New Orleans is in the cone of uncertainty:
1. General staff notification hurricane Phase V is in effect.
2. Regular monitoring by management or designated staff of weather situation by radio, internet, television, etc.
3. Regular staff updates on weather conditions.
4. Operators and management contact key vendors, the Port, etc. to get an update on their current hurricane plan status, and what level of support J.W. Allen can expect given the current situation.
5. Make a ‘state of the moment’ evaluation on what can be secured/protected early while still maintaining an ‘open for business’ status.
6. Make a determination of emergency preparedness measures required for the impending weather and initiate proportionate measures as necessary.
7. Follow up client/vendor communication is transmitted detailing our current state of preparedness assuring clients JWA has a tropical storm/hurricane plan in place in the event an evacuation of our office becomes necessary. Plan will include;
a) a general overview to clients on how JWA will continue to support their business and process their shipments;
b) an overview of how it is anticipated JWA’s vendors will support us;
c) any change in our current state of preparedness will be communicated timely.

General Preparedness Guidelines:
1. J.W. Allen will work to keep our office open as long as possible while maintaining normal business operations.
2. Weather conditions may force us to close our office early to ensure employee safety in the case of a rain/ storm event.
3. To ensure employee safety, weather conditions or governmental orders may force/ require us to close our office early in the event an evacuation of the Greater New Orleans area is ordered.
4. J.W. Allen will strictly comply with all state and local government evacuation requirements, directives and orders.
5. In the event an evacuation of the city was required, management and employee re-entry into the city will be in accordance with state and local government re-entry guidelines.
a. Availability of basic utilities and services such as electricity, phone, internet connectivity, etc. will be among the deciding factors in efforts to re-open our office building and the resumption of normal business operations.
b. In the absence of basic utilities and services at our office site remote operations will continue to be maintained until such time as in-office operations can be reestablished.

J.W. Allen & Company’s “Catastrophe / Business Continuity” plans incorporate multiple data center and data storage redundancies designed to ensure our business continuity and more importantly yours. As appropriate, additional details regarding any operational changes we may take as a result of impending adverse weather conditions will be communicated. Additional information regarding our business continuity plan is available by clicking https://jwallen.com/about-jw-allen/catastrophe-plan.

We are actively monitoring this weather event closely and will provide updates as appropriate regarding our contingency planning to ensure our business continuity in support of yours.