Exchange Prepared to Support Military Communities This Hurricane Season
As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a seventh consecutive year of above-normal hurricane activity, military families can rest assured that the Exchange has their storm preparedness needs covered.
A selection of emergency meals, portable lights, paper towels, batteries, bottled water and other hurricane preparedness supplies on display at the Tyndall Air Force Base BX in Florida.
Exchange merchandising teams have boosted distribution centers’ inventory of high-demand supplies, including water, flashlights, batteries, generators and extension cords, ensuring storm essentials are ready to ship to Exchanges at a moment’s notice.
Managers at locations prone to severe weather, meanwhile, monitor forecasts and coordinate with local commands to ensure PXs and BXs are fully prepared to support the community should a major storm occur. Stores have also prepared lists of items they can have shipped to their stores to ensure adequate stock ahead of severe weather.
“We have an emergency assortment that the stores have access to,” said Planning, Allocation and Replenishment Manager Todd Anderson. “If they send their list to our Disaster Inventory Support email ID, then we’ll process it to the DC, who will then process the allocation for the store.”
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. The Exchange remains vigilant throughout the season through its Disaster Support Group (DSG), a team of Exchange leaders worldwide that stays connected 24/7 to ensure every level of the organization is informed of and prepared for approaching storms.
A display of bottled water, flashlights, batteries and other hurricane preparedness supplies at the Eglin Air Force Base BX in Florida.
“We monitor the forecast along with our folks in the field. When we think there might be an impact, we’ll send an email to the DSG with what we know about the storm, where it might make landfall and what’s in its path,” said Contingency Program Manager Colice Powell. “If it hits one of our installations, the DSG could meet to coordinate support for that location. If the store needs additional manpower, we can work together to see what other Exchanges we can pull associates from support the location that was hit by the storm.”
The Exchange has long supported military communities affected by severe weather. In August 2021, Exchange teams worked together to ensure emergency supplies were available at the Keesler BX, including a freezer trailer in case of a power outage, ahead of Hurricane Ida, which prompted two days of road and facility closures at the installation.
In addition to shipping supplies to stores, the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center houses mobile field Exchanges—stores on wheels stocked with snacks, beverages and hygiene products—that can be deployed to storm-stricken communities in support of military rescue efforts.
