In the wake of the number of natural disasters over the last few weeks in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean, the Dwellworks team has been vigilant in our support for our clients, supplier networks, and transferees.
Below are key updates on the destinations Dwellworks covers that have been hit the hardest by recent events.
United States / Puerto Rico / Caribbean
Over the course of the last 3 weeks, hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria have caused extensive damage in our coverage areas of metro Houston, the Southeast (most notably Florida), the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Our Property Management team proactively sent emails to homeowners, their tenants, and local field agents asking for and sharing updates and relevant weather-related/response-related information. Since hurricanes Harvey and Irma, our team has reached back out to all tenants and field agents to check on their well-being and ask whether damage has occurred to the home. All property information has been relayed back to homeowners, and any properties with damage have been assessed and repair procedures are in place.
Our Relocation Appraisal team is working closely with our appraiser network to keep clients updated on all open files, and have communicated any files that have been delayed in Texas and Florida. We are happy to report a fast return to normal operations with no appraisal activity put on hold in the US mainland. All new appraisal requests are being evaluated to ensure an appraiser has the availability to complete the assignment before being placed on an appraiser selection-list for the customer.
Our Supply Chain team has been in contact with all Destination Service Consultants (DSCs) in affected areas. Services in Florida, Georgia, and metro Houston have resumed as normal, with limited exceptions due to individual business or branch closures in harder-hit areas. All scheduled services in Puerto Rico have been suspended until we can confirm that areas are safe and businesses have reopened. Our Program Managers will be in touch with clients to reschedule any canceled appointments.
Mexico
We’re relieved to report that our team in Mexico City is safe post-earthquake, and the office is up and running with (amazingly) no apparent loss of communication services (email, phone, internet connections, etc.) Our team has reached out to all members of our local DSC network and to landlords, who have reported zero damage to the housing units we manage for our corporate housing clients. Our Mexico Program Managers will alert clients if there are any issues with assignees in the area, or if scheduled activities need to be postponed or rescheduled. So far, we are grateful to say business disruption has been minimal, but our 100% focus is on safety and making sure any home-finding and area orientation/settling-in activities are in areas that are completely secure.
Note that Mexico City schools and government offices remain closed the rest of this week, for a period of national mourning. Though many highways connecting the city have reopened, some freeways and bridges remain closed pending review and repair of any structural damages. Many of our employees and DSCs in Mexico City are working with local foundations and schools to bring food and medicine or providing room and board to citizens who were most affected.
During these challenging times, our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by the recent devastating disasters, and a special thank you goes out to our teams of associates and network partners who are working through shock and grief to support each other and serve our clients. Thanks too, to our clients for your confidence in Dwellworks’ ability to support your customers with fast response and frequent, updated communication.
For more specific area updates, please reach out to your Dwellworks supply chain manager or account manager.
