Acts of God Are Unpredictable Crises But Must Be Planned

As Colorado and New Mexico burn, a different kind of crisis has struck the southeast. Twenty inches of rain in places have flooded homes, apartments, and businesses. CEOs and nonprofit leaders who think their organizations are immune from crises, I guess, must believe acts of God will go around them, not through them.

The jail in Pensacola suffered a crisis in the rain. "More than 600 inmates at the Escambia County Jail in Florida were without power and air conditioning after the rains left more than 5 feet of water in the bottom floor, which also houses the laundry and kitchen facilities. Extra deputies were brought in to beef up security, and generators powered lights outside the facility to shine into the jail. Officials worked Monday to pump out the excess water and restore power.

"'The whole electrical system is underwater. It's going to be extensive damage,' said Sgt. Mike Ward. The parking lot of the sheriff's office was completely flooded, leaving some patrol cars and other fleet vehicles with water up to the hood. Some homes and businesses also had several feet of water inside, Ward said." (http://www.chron.com/news/article/Heavy-rains-flood-Fla-homes-man-drowns-in-Gulf-3624408.php)

A 23-year-old Mississippi man drowned off Pensacola Beach and more than a dozen other swimmers were ordered out of rough surf. Storms forced the evacuation of a 200-unit apartment complex in Pensacola.  A tornado connected with the storm system uprooted trees and destroyed chicken houses Sunday in southeastern Alabama, where an emergency official said a few homes were damaged.

"It was difficult to assess the damage Sunday because many roads in Escambia County were still flooded. Emergency officials planned a more thorough inspection Monday after the waters recede."

I'm left wondering if the Escambia County Jail has a crisis operations plan or crisis communications plan. How about the dozens of businesses flooded out? Do apartments have a plan for reimbursing residents for flood losses, or is their strategy to hide out until the law suits fly.

Smoldering crises can largely be prevented. But sudden crises -- floods, fires, arson, shootings, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. -- can strike with little warning. Your organization has to be ready for sudden crises in your crisis planning.