Ike "the Terrible" Wreaks Havoc on East Texas…PAS Users Conference Postponed

Tragedy Hits a PAS Family Member

The extended PAS family fared well for the most part during hurricane Ike except for the grandfather of one of our fine employees who lost his life during the evacuation.  We are deeply saddened by the passing of Veronica's grandfather.

 

The Texas Gulf Coast Devastated by Ike

Ike made its unwelcome landing on the shores of Galveston in the early hours of Saturday, September 13.  Although initial forecasts called for a landfall further south near Corpus Christi, Ike veered off course and just like a 60-mile-wide super jumbo jet managed to pinpoint its eye on I-45 as its landing runway.  And from there, it mostly stayed the course right into downtown Houston and northbound into Houston Intercontinental airport.  As of this morning – two days later – it is still actively causing devastation in the midwest and as far up as Indiana.

PAS Headquarters Goes Distributed and Virtual

The Clear Lake area where our headquarters is located was hit very hard by the storm, leading to significant flooding and destruction.  Although we were forced to shut down our operations in Clear Lake, there was fortunately no damage to our building. 

As of the time of this blog - more than 48 hours after Ike's landfall - approximately 70% of the greater Houston area is without power; affecting approximately 4.5 million people. 

 

As early as Thursday of last week when we realized the threats were imminent, we kicked in the emergency plans and prepared for the worst. We immediately distributed various functions to remote locations and began going "virtual."  Many of our people evacuated the area but have continued staying connected to business, supporting customers. 

 

PAS Users Conference 2008 Postponed

We had hoped that Ike would end up like Rita – change its mind in the last couple of days and head in a different direction – or lose its strength in the gulf.  But that did not end up being the case.  And unfortunately we were forced to cancel the conference for now. 

 

We were all looking forward to the conference, as it was going to be our very best ever – with excellent papers, a superb panel of executives discussing the aging workforce issue and with our highest attendee participation ever. 

We will reschedule the conference as soon as life returns to normal in our part of the world.

 

A Reminder

Natural disasters like Ike bring out the best in people.  Neighbors, families and friends find a common cause to re-engage and show the basic and natural human instinct to help.  Old friends in far distances you haven't heard from call and check up on you, inviting you to their homes for indefinite periods.  And the kindness of a complete stranger makes you realize how capable human beings can be in giving.  Something to remember when things get back to normal months from now.

 

Looking forward to writing about more pleasant experiences…Eddie

Comments

[salah nazir]

Thanks GOD you are save , we always need your support.

[Arnold Oliver]

We are glad that PAS could weather the storm. Goes to show that you don't allow "little" things get you down.....

[Raj Limaye]

I was glad to know that PAS and the building was spared by hurricane Ike. I agree with your blog comment that such events bring the best in people and provide opportunity to help others who are in distress. Wish you the best in resuming business normalcy quickly.

[Crystal Dailey (Diller)]

We are so happy to learn that PAS and the building survived Hurricane Ike. We have all been thinking of you and yours. Take Care! Crystal, Britton, Miranda, and Donna Dailey

[Selvam Daniel]

Thanks God there was no major damage to PAS and it's infrastructures. I wish you to have a speedy come back. Our support will be there for you at all times. Regards: Selvam Daniel