Fri, 10/21/2016 - 08:22

BRIDGEPORT, N.J. (Oct. 21, 2016)—Xylem Inc., a leading global water technology company focused on addressing the world's most challenging water issues, activated emergency preparedness and response initiatives in anticipation of Hurricane Matthew. Xylem’s branches in North Charleston, S.C., and Jacksonville, Fla., worked around the clock to provide rapid response dewatering capabilities to keep infrastructure and community facilities functional during and after Hurricane Matthew, according to a statement from the company. In anticipation of the need to remove floodwaters from impacted communities and businesses at a moment’s notice, Xylem teams began preparations early, strategically positioning more than 400 Godwin high-performance dewatering pumps and accessories from Norfolk, Va., to Miami, Fla. As part of the ramp up before the storm hit, pumps were mobilized from as far away as California and New York. After the storm made landfall in the southeastern U.S., Xylem’s teams continued to work hand-in-hand with customers to aid in community recovery by moving pumps and equipment quickly into place, once conditions became safe. One example of Xylem’s 24/7 emergency response support was in a town on Georgia’s barrier islands. Town authorities worked with Xylem on a contingency plan ahead of the storm, mobilizing multiple Godwin pumps to support the town's infrastructure in anticipation of flooding. After the storm hit, the town needed additional accessories. And with the access road to the island backed up with road blocks and traffic congestion, the mayor personally contacted Xylem employee Daniel Collier with the urgent need. Collier was able to get to the Jacksonville branch, collect the necessary items that the town needed and deliver them to the customer—via National Guard helicopter—saving many hours of critical time, according to the company. “Our customers know we’re always on and close by,” said Mike Delzingaro, Vice President of Sales and Branch Operations for Xylem’s pump rental business. “By putting contingency plans in place we can rapidly mobilize pumps where they need to be to support even the worst emergency situation. Our customers know Xylem is a partner they can count on and that we do what it takes to get the job done, especially during major storm events like this one.” Xylem has been responding to hurricanes and major storms for more than 40 years, with storm response efforts in recent years including: the Louisiana floods in early September 2016; removing floodwaters from Manhattan and the New Jersey shore in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy; and supplying hundreds of pumps and operations personnel to alleviate floodwaters from Hurricanes Katrina and Floyd.