When Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast last week it was first assumed that New Orleans had lucked out as the storm moved east and hit the Mississippi coast head on. As we all know by now, the subsequent flooding of the city of New Orleans, the effect of the storm surge on the surrounding parishes, and the virtual elimination of the gaming industry (and a lot of history) on the coast of Mississippi will obviously result in the biggest natural disaster this country has ever known. Now, one week after the storm first hit, an area roughly the size of Great Britain has seen more than a million residents displaced, many of them moving to new locations throughout the country.

Along with the concerns for the people affected by the storm, the impact on the retail business is naturally one of the first things many in our industry think about after these storms hit. Foot Locker was predictably hardest hit, with 90 stores closed as a result. The Finish Line has had seven to ten stores closed since August 25, first closed in preparation for the storm and now as a result of it. The Sports Authority has three stores closed in the New Orleans area, but a store in Mississippi and another in Alabama were apparently out of harm’s way. Academy Sports had seven stores closed, five in Louisiana, and one each in Mississippi and Alabama. The list is now down to four closed in the southern La. area and one in Gulfport, Miss. Prominent on the company’s website is an assistance hotline for displaced associates.

But the outdoor industry is also on top of the needs of the people in the affected area, with OIA taking a leadership position to marshal resources and direct efforts before any other industry trade associations begin to react. Outdoor Industry Association is again in contact with AmeriCares to determine the specific needs of the victims and how the outdoor community can best help. AmeriCares has sent an emergency response team to assess the most important needs and will be providing OIA with a list of requested in-kind donations within the next 48 to 72 hours.

The industry has developed a strong rapport with AmeriCares since rallying to support their Tsunami relief efforts. AmeriCares has indicated that while they are grateful for any assistance, they will only be able to accept bulk product donations at this time, but OIA said it will provide members with an update as soon as this information becomes available.

Outdoor Industry Association has created an emergency relief fund to help outdoor retailers and outfitters impacted by the disaster. 100% of all donated funds will go to help outdoor businesses get back on their feet or support their employees during these difficult times.

For questions you can contact Cindy Haddox at 303.444.3353 ext 208 or click here to send her an email at: chaddox@outdoorindustry.org.

OIA reported that Buffalo Peak Outfitters, an outdoor company only 150 miles inland from the disaster has stepped up to act as an immediate clearing house for donations to both victims and relief workers. Their current needs are: water purification, lighting, camp showers, sleeping pads, and clothing. Donations can be shipped to the address to:

Buffalo Peak Outfitters
4500 I-55 North
115 Highland Village
Jackson, MI 39211

You can also contact Bobby McCain or his staff at the store at 601.366.2557.

The Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) and the National Emergency Resource Registry located online at www.seern.gov/emergency/ are collecting a list of resources that companies may have available to support on-the-ground recovery efforts. This is a secure, official U.S. Government system to facilitate the marrying of capabilities and supplies with needs.

Based on the drama that played out on television screens across the country for the last week, it is apparent that the federal government and many local and state governments are ill-prepared for another major disaster or another attack on this country, which the federal government seems to feel is a “when, not if” scenario.

Many citizens that watched the streets of New Orleans become the sanctuary of armed gangs and looters may be looking for ways to protect themselves and prepare their families for self-preservation. We heard comments last week from people that otherwise are proponents of gun control actually pondering the possibility of taking a class in how to handle a gun. They are most assuredly looking at creating their own survival kits in case of any future issues. Our industry should take the lead here.

After 9/11, many people stocked up on items that would serve them well in a chemical or biological attack. A dirty bomb in a mid-size U.S. city would displace as many, if not more, people than this latest disaster. Perhaps this is an opportunity for the industry to work closely with the U.S. government to develop preparedness programs and kits that could be accessed at outdoor retailers and sporting goods stores. Preparation before another event could well prevent another real human disaster.

Now it may sound ghoulish to some that we raise this issue now, but we bet there was more than one kitchen table discussion over the weekend around this country that pondered the vulnerability the nation found itself in after the hurricane and its after effects. The slow government response to this latest event has many questioning their own preparedness. What if something happened here?

BOSS is not suggesting that everyone head for the hills, but an effort by the industry to develop contingencies and coordinate support efforts with the Homeland Security Department should be as important as supplying the latest gear to the Special Forces. Many of the basic items found on the shelves in any outdoor specialty retailer could have saved lives this past week if they had been in the hands of — or readily available to — the population.

The U.S. armed forces turn to this industry for innovation on the battlefield; the country may need us to be even more innovative now for something that hits closer to home. Perhaps the old tagline, “a chicken in every pot,” should now be, “a cook stove, fuel, and a water purification kit in every garage.”