Hurricane Katrina, Disaster/Emergency Response Article

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February, 2006
Post-Katrina Struggles Continue: A new study shows that small businesses in Louisiana are still searching for enough customers and employees.

January, 2006
Even with Insurance, Gulf Coast Businesses Still Struggle: Small businesses ravaged by Hurricane Katrina cite claims delays that have forced them to foot the bill for their own rebuilding efforts.

December, 2005
Congresswoman Calling for SBA Chief's Resignation: Rep. Nydia Velazquez says the Small Business Administration, under Hector Barreto's leadership, has failed entrepreneurs impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
Rebuilding the Gulf Coast Brick by Brick: New federal program offers hurricane victims training in construction skills.

November, 2005
Leading Economic Indicators Show Improvement: The Conference Board's monthly index posted gains in nearly all categories, hinting at a brighter economic outlook for the next three to six months.
Democrats: Small-Business Outlook Worst in Eight Years: Members of the House Small Business Committee cited higher overall costs and the recent hurricanes as factors.
SBA Administrator Defends Hurricane Aid: Before a Senate committee, Hector Barreto said the sheer volume of applications has delayed loans to individuals and small businesses.
Gulf Coast Businesses Picking Up the Pieces -- Slowly: Still facing worker shortages and loan delays, thousands of small businesses may be forced to close down or move out.

October, 2005
Business Donations for Hurricane Relief Reach $1 Billion: Amount marks the largest disaster response by American businesses ever.
Owners Warned About Disaster Loan Scams: Feeding on frustration over delays, fake federal loan agents are offering to help storm victims, for a fee.
Consumers Can't Shake Bad Mood: Killer storms, high energy prices and a weak job market might dampen holiday shopping season.
Fed Contracts Short of Small Business Targets: House Democrats say fewer prime contracts went to small companies last year, raising concerns that many will be squeezed out of Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts.
Leading Indicators Fall in September: As storms take their toll on the economy, signs of resilience emerge.
Producer Prices Jump in September: Record-high energy costs kept aloft by Katrina are driving up raw material and consumer prices.
SBA Eases Disaster Loan Requirements: The changes come after complaints of costly delays from Gulf Coast small business owners over a month since Hurricane Katrina.
Prices Shot Up In September: Storms and energy costs speed inflation to a pace unseen in a quarter century, as consumer sales and confidence sag.
Feds Slow With Disaster Loans, Business Owners Say: Congressional hearing told small business recovery efforts after Katrina are moving at a snail's pace.
Jobs Down Less Than Expected After Storms: Leisure and retail sector losses from Katrina are offset by gains elswhere.
Hiring Down at Small Businesses: Katrina and Rita combine to put a damper on growth last month, according to payroll data.

September, 2005

Jobless Claims Down as Growth Remains Steady: GDP flattens out to a nine-quarter average as the economic shock of Katrina shows signs of fading.
Consumer Mood Shattered: As storms, gas prices and fewer jobs come to bear on consumer sentiment, small businesses stay upbeat.
CEOs Bullish Despite Katrina: With the exception of capital expenditures, CEOs see positive growth on the horizon.
Post-Katrina Recovery Must Be Carefully Planned: Chubb offers a checklist to help business owners pick up the pieces after disasters strike.
Businesses Prepare for Another Big Storm: With much of the Gulf Coast still reeling from Katrina, Florida owners decide it's better to be safe than sorry.
Senate Offers Aid to Gulf Coast Businesses: Under the bill, at least 30% of all federal contracts and 40% of subcontracting dollars used in recovery efforts will go to local companies.
Consumer Confidence Plunges In September: Soaring energy costs pushed higher by Katrina worries consumers.
Construction Costs Headed Upward: Katrina worsens longstanding materials shortages.
Resilient ISP Kept New Orleans Connected: As chaos erupted outside, a downtown Web company refused to let the city go offline.
Flooded, Abandoned Properties Draw Speculators: New Orleans homeowners lash out at 'carpetbaggers' looking for a deal.
SBA, Others Gear Up For Relief Effort: Small business groups in the Gulf Coast are preparing for a surge in emergency loan applications.
Caught in the Storm's Path: The owner of a Gulfport laundry business sizes up the damages.
Katrina Strains Businesses Outside Her Path: Montgomery, Ala.'s businesses bear the cost of hosting Katrina's victims.

August, 2005

Attempts to Help Amid the Chaos: Small business agency reaches out to companies in the region, with little success.
Feds To Help Businesses Hit By Hurricane: In storm's wake, loans and tax breaks await small business owners looking to rebuild.

Fresh Inc.

Hurricane Katrina: Click on the link above to read all the blog entries about the hurricane and its impact on businesses, or go directly to individual posts below:

Disaster Recovery Resources

Hurricane Housing
Website where victims can find shelter and everyone else can donation housing.
Continuity Central Offers of Assistance
A roundup of companies that are offering disaster recovery aid specifically aimed at businesses impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
SBA: Disaster Loan Assistance after a Declared Disaster
If you are in a declared disaster area and have suffered any disaster-related damage you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.
FEMA: Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry
A step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response, and recovery for companies of all sizes.
IRS: Tax Relief in Disaster Situations
Details on a special tax provision for Katrina victims, as well as other provisions which may help taxpayers recover financially from the impact of a disaster.
US Dept. of Labor: Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Financial assistance may be provided to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster.
MarketingSherpa's Katrina Resources
The MarketingSherpa site has gathered its own list of resources on what business groups are doing for companies impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
Inc.com: Leading Through a Crisis
After the Sept. 11 attacks, Inc. staff assembled resources for dealing with a disaster.

How You Can Help

National Emergency Resource Registry
Register your business to provide resources for the relief of the hurricane's victims.
Help the Victims of Hurricane Katrina
The donation page at FEMA, with information and links on how to help with the disaster.
American Red Cross
Donate money to victims of Katrina, or volunteer at a local Red Cross chapter.
Habitat for Humanity
Assist financially or physically in the rebuilding effort.
The Hurricane Relief Job Board
Monster.com has launched a job board for people and businesses displaced by Hurricane Katrina. People affected by the disaster can find jobs, and employers seeking workers to rebuild their businesses can find candidates.