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Edwards Information's
Disaster and Disaster Planning Fact Sheet

Disaster Planning:

One in five companies (19%) has suffered a disaster which resulted in their organization having to cease operations for a period of time, according to a 2004 study by AT&T and the Partnership for Public Warning.

Only about 50% of companies have implemented corporate-wide business continuity and disaster recovery plans, up from 30% five years ago, according to a 2004 Deloitte & Touche LLP and CPM Global Assurance study.

Only a third of companies surveyed believe they have a comprehensive business continuity management governance structure in place, according to a 2004 Deloitte & Touche and CPM Global Assurance study. This structure would allow the business continuity plan to be carried out smoothly.

68% of companies which suffered a disaster lost business because of it, according to a 2004 study by AT&T and the Partnership for Public Warning.

  • 44% lost up to $100,000 a day
  • 21% lost between $100,000 and $1,000,000
  • 4% lost a million dollars a day or more
  • 10% said it cost the company nothing and 22% did not know the cost to the company


Disasters:

Hurricane seasons:
   Atlantic:  June 1-November 30
   Pacific:  May 15-November 30

Average number of tornadoes per year in U.S.:   1,200 according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). There was a record number of 1,717 in 2004.

Major disasters in 2004: 68, as reported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Weather Service issues between 45,000 and 50,000 severe weather warnings each year.

Disasters that affect businesses:

Natural origin: Earthquake
Hurricane
Wildfire
Volcano
Flood
Tornado
Extreme heat
Tsunami

Landslide and mudflow
Severe thunderstorm
Winter/ice storm 
Disease epidemics & pandemics
Human origin:

Power outage
Fire
Strike
Cyber attack

Hazardous materials
Terrorism & Bioterrorism
Kidnapping
Product tampering
Death of key personnel

Nuclear power plant leak
Rumors  
Industrial accidents
Sprinkler system malfunction
Civil disorder



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