Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm and the strongest on record for the North Atlantic, is churning through the Caribbean on a path set to take it into South Florida and up along the Eastern Seaboard over the next several days.

In the past 24 hours, Irma passed north of Puerto Rico, but its winds knocked power out for more than a million people.  Jerry Delgado, MAS, a Vernon Company sales associate in Caguas, Puerto Rico, says, “We’ve had no electricity since Wednesday, and we haven’t been told when they expect to solve the problem. While I have my mobile phone to send and receive emails, I can’t enter orders or follow up.”

As it did with industry business and professionals affected by Hurricane Harvey two weeks ago, PPAI stands ready to assist members affected by Irma.

Industry businesses that are evacuating, or are experiencing delays or disruptions due to the hurricane, can share their status with PPAI through the Association’s Emergency Closures Form. The form helps businesses in the storm’s path share updates on their situation and inform customers of alternate ways to contact them or check orders during or after the hurricane. To see the list of businesses that have reported a delay or closure, click here.

Several companies with facilities in Florida are putting plans in place for Irma. Supplier Bullet has announced that its facility in Hialeah will close at noon on Friday, and expects to be closed through Monday. Supplier BIC Graphic, located near Tampa, currently has no plans to close, but is monitoring the storm’s trajectory and will update its plans as needed. Supplier Perry Ellis International is closing its office and warehouse in Doral on Friday, and will reopen next week based on the storm’s outcome. All of the industry businesses that have shared their status with PPB Newslink are working to minimize the impact any potential closures will have on their customers.

PPAI asks for the industry's help in identifying and contacting members in the affected area to determine specific needs. Affected members are encouraged to contact PPAI at MyPPAI@ppai.org or 888.I.AM.PPAI, extension 3280, for assistance to update their contact information or let PPAI know how they are doing.

This week PPAI and SAGE announced the granting of payment extensions for those members affected by Hurricane Harvey. Now it extends the program to those affected by Hurricane Irma. Membership and services will continue without interruption during this time, so members won’t have to worry about paying for their membership and services right now or risk losing the critical business and research tools they will need to rebuild their businesses. Members in the affected regions who need additional time to pay for membership and subscription services should contact their SAGE account executive at 800.925.7243 or their PPAI customer service representative at 888.I.AM.PPAI (426.7724) and request a payment deferral.

If the impact of Hurricane Irma results in a federal disaster declaration, PPAI, in conjunction with the Regional Association Council (RAC), will offer disaster relief to assist promotional products industry members seriously affected in the form of the Promotional Products Disaster Recovery Foundation (PPDRF) Business Recovery Fund. To apply for funds, please visit: http://www.regionalassociation.org/business-recovery-fund/.

Financial contributions to support the program are being collected now and should be directed to the Promotional Products Business Recovery Fund, care of PPAI RAC, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038. This fund is a 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions will be tax deductible. A tax-deductible receipt will be mailed to each donor. Or, donate online at: http://www.regionalassociation.org/business-recovery-fund/want-to-donate/.