Relief Loads into hurricane effected areas.

[Rocketman]

I have a couple of questions for those who have ran relief loads in the past to areas effected by hurricanes like Sandy. Katrina is the only one that comes to mind for me as being one that effected such a large area.

Questions: 1. I would think that there is a lot of freight going into the area, but very little coming and a multitude of available trucks which would drive outbound rates into the basement?
2. What precautions can be taken to secure the safety of yourself and your vehicle.


I understand that some are willing to go for the sake of being a good humanitarian. Personally, I still have a business to run. I need to be paid for what I do, and quite likely I need to be paid to deadhead out after the delivery. I also remember the absolute lawlessness that occurred in New Orleans after Katrina. I don't know that it will happen in the northeast, but all of the same elements exist in the heavily populated areas of the northeast that existed in NO....imo.

Your thoughts?

 

[ebsprintin]

First I'd make sure I knew what the carrier policies are involving responsibilities and communications.

Flying alone it would be like making deliveries into those kind of neighborhoods we deal with everyday. Point to point, no loitering. In and out. No personal humanitarian missions. Others are set up for that kind of thing. And plan for supplies, including fuel, as nonexistent.

In the worst of places, travel is only done in convoys.

eb

 

[ATeam]

It's still pretty early in the Sandy storm to know how widespread and what kind of damage there will be. In no more than two days, weather conditions will return to normal and traffic can be expected to flow again.

Flood waters will recede faster with Sandy than Katrina because East Coast cities are above sea level. Also, it won't be like Katrina where people were drowning in their attics and the mayor was saying breathlessly on live TV that there were thousands and thousands of dead.

Power outages are expected to be widespread and long lasting. That's what will affect most people and put them on edge the longer they go without power. But on edge does not mean civil disorder. Government agencies learned a lot after Katrina. People will not feel trapped and without hope. Government agencies will not fail like they did with Katrina.

How do you stay safe? Go in with fuel tanks full and your truck well supplied with food and water. Have a good flashlight and batteries. As in any city at any time, don't park where you might become a target for robery or murder. Be prepared to operate without a cell phone since cell phone service may be down.

 

[highway star]

I understand that some are willing to go for the sake of being a good humanitarian. Personally, I still have a business to run.

That covers it for me. I'll be empty in Cleveland tomorrow evening with no desire to go east from there, unless it pays well.

 

[Humble2drive]

Questions: 1. I would think that there is a lot of freight going into the area, but very little coming and a multitude of available trucks which would drive outbound rates into the basement?
2. What precautions can be taken to secure the safety of yourself and your vehicle.

Your thoughts?

1. True. The rates in the past have been lucrative enough to pay for the dead head out. Just like any area with very little freight out just include some dead head when you do the evaluation.

2. What A-Team said plus keep moving and be prepared to change your route at any time when you find roads closed. Expect no electricity, food, water or fuel. The fuel thing is of the utmost importance because you need to determine where fuel is available close to your delivery. For this we called ahead instead of just relying on the CB. When you fuel, make sure you have extra oil, coolant, windshield wash, lights, fuses, flashlight and windshield wipers. The Fed made sure the storm weather was stabilized before we went in.

In the end, it is a rewarding experience AND it has never effected our business in a negative way. Fingers crossed.

 

[purgoose10]

I have a couple of questions for those who have ran relief loads in the past to areas effected by hurricanes like Sandy. Katrina is the only one that comes to mind for me as being one that effected such a large area.

Questions: 1. I would think that there is a lot of freight going into the area, but very little coming and a multitude of available trucks which would drive outbound rates into the basement?
2. What precautions can be taken to secure the safety of yourself and your vehicle.


I understand that some are willing to go for the sake of being a good humanitarian. Personally, I still have a business to run. I need to be paid for what I do, and quite likely I need to be paid to deadhead out after the delivery. I also remember the absolute lawlessness that occurred in New Orleans after Katrina. I don't know that it will happen in the northeast, but all of the same elements exist in the heavily populated areas of the northeast that existed in NO....imo.

Your thoughts?

Depends on the storm. Since it's the east coast I would not due it unless you got dead head rate coming out as well. I ran to Katrina and sat for 5 days. I did get $350 a day for sitting and was paid by Fema, but I would not do it again, a lot of agravation.

 

[ATeam]

... I would not do it again, a lot of agravation.

Can you be more specific? what kind of aggravation?

 

[redytrk]

During Katrina we were staged in Baton Rouge, then when it was safe a convoy was formed with State Patrol escort into the 9th ward with our load of cots. We returned to Baton Rouge and run small loads to the Helicopter pads. The five days for us were anything bur frustrating. We had a sense we were helping.

Oh by the way, the state of La. filled our tanks as we were leaving. A note of gratitude.

 

[zorry]

Is Katrina where LOS's truck suffered all the damage ?

 

[layoutshooter]

No more storm loads for us. It is by far NOT WORTH the risk. I will NEVER allow FEMA/CDC to take control of my truck again.

It was Gustav were we took the "Big Hit". Our Katrina runs were FAR safer since the shelters for Katrina were where they should have been, WAY off the coast. They were set up 3 day PRIOR to Katrina hitting and we were LONG GONE before the storm hit.

In Gustav the shelters were not set up until one or two days prior, depending on where you were, they were place IN HARMS WAY and FEMA/CDC would NOT release any of the trucks that were at LSU when the storm hit. 17 truck suffered damage to one degree or another.

One can do MUCH BETTER picking up loads that those on storm duty are missing. Safer and those will likely pay better.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I think AFTER the storm and things get rolling the auto loads will be hot coming from the east coast...all them parts makers being shutdown but the assembly lines are still up and running...

 

[chefdennis]

I took a load into NC during the last big storm earlier this yr...Before I took it dispatch told me to drop and DH inland as far as i needed to to feel safe annd they paid for all fuel and a "little kicker"....

 

[pearlpro]

When we hauled for the Home Depot into the Katrina disaster we were given exemptions for HOS and we were escorted to drop zones., Fuel was "positioned" FOR OUR TRUCKS and we were parked in Guarded compounds....I never felt unsafe although I did see a fair amount of looting. We were paid for the Haul and the dead head out, no waiting, just back and forth from Atlanta, St Louis and other Pickup zones...I imagine there will be quite a few loads headed into all these areas, But I dont think this will be a "BROWNIE" Type Fema disaster either, managed supplies and crews, equipment etc has already been going that way and prestaged. Our President wont be wanting ANY bad press of slow response or fuel for the fire of the press and Pundits, I pray its a quick recovery and things get back to normal quickly for all involved.

 

[mrgoodtude]

We did the Katrina Ms, Lazianna probably will decline stationing in the Bronx.