The hurricane season runs from early June through the end of November. Hazards from these storms come in many forms including high winds, tornadoes, storm surges, and flooding. However, while predictions for this year are disturbing, a simple disaster plan along with employing some common sense measures can serve to help mitigate damage or total destruction.

“At the onset of a storm, the most important concern is ensuring one’s personal safety and that of loved ones,” commented Christiane Fischer, President and CEO of AXA Art’s North American operations. “For collectors, having a disaster plan in place can serve to protect prized possessions and valuable art and collectibles”.

With information gathered from conservators and its worldwide team of expert partners, AXA Art has assembled a guide for collectors including a checklist with key elements in hurricane catastrophe prevention. Below is an excerpt from the AXA Art Hurricane Disaster Plan Article, which can be downloaded in full on the AXA Art website.

Checklist – Before the Storm:

1. Maintain a list of emergency telephone numbers which includes those of your insurance agents/brokers, insurance company (note your policy number), conservators, art storage facility, and local freeze-dry facilities. Keep an extra copy with your insurance agent.

2. Prepare and maintain a fine art inventory file with images of each work, name of artist or maker, title, dimensions, media, and year. Include invoices for each of your valuables. Protect your documents by securing important papers in water- and fire-proof safes or storage boxes. In addition, keep a copy of all documentation at a separate, secure location.

3. Consider a hurricane evacuation plan for your art collection. Contact local art storage facilities that could potentially provide secured storage space prior to the arrival of the tropical storm or hurricane. Alternatively, you may wish to build a storm closet within your home.

4. In the absence of a hurricane evacuation plan, install a HVAC climate control system with a back-up generator, which can protect against rising humidity levels that can damage artwork.

5. Prepare your home by adding protective hurricane shutters and roof hurricane clips.

6. Make sure you have supplies to be able to bolt down outside furniture before the storm approaches.

7. Prepare a stock of emergency supplies to include flashlights, fans, dehumidifiers, hurricane lamps and oil, matches, battery-operated AM/FM radio with extra batteries and coolers. Include a waterproof instant camera to use to document any damage.

8. If you have an emergency generator, make sure it is above possible high water levels. Generators should only be used in dry, outdoor areas and away from anything flammable.

9. In preparation for potential evacuation of an approaching storm, each household member should have a backpack ready and include a change of clothing, bottled water, nonperishable food items such as granola bars, as well as an up-to-date list of any medications with dosage information. Include all doctors’ names and phone numbers. Also include contact and meeting information for the household, child care supplies, or special care items.

Above Image: Hurricane Rita as it started making landfall on the Gulf Coast on September 23, 2005. Credit: NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, from the MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC.

About AXA ART

International reach, unrivalled competence, and a high quality network of expert partners distinguish AXA ART, the only art insurance specialist in the world, from its generalist property insurance competitors. Over the past 50 years and well into the future, AXA ART has and will continue to redefine the manner in which it serves and services its museum, gallery, collector, and artist clients across North America, Asia, and Europe, with a sincere consideration of the way valuable objects are insured and cultural patrimony is protected. For more information visit: www.axa-art-usa.com.

The Youth Crisis Center, Inc. (YCC) will partner with Walsh Drive Storage and Interstate Storage Solutions for the second annual garage sale fundraiser to benefit YCC. The event will be held at Walsh Drive Self-Storage (324 N. Walsh Dr.) from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 9, and Interstate Storage Solutions (5105 Carroll Ct.) from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is $1 for adults and children are free.

Included in this event is the opportunity for community members to reserve a space for $25 to sell their items. There will be door prizes, raffles, kids’ games, face painting, and lunch also will be available. All proceeds will benefit YCC.

For more information or to reserve a space, call (307) 266-9626.

Kelly’s Self-Storage, which is based in Guildford, is starting up the fundraiser in Bricket Wood to collect money for ReachOut Plus, a charity that runs a variety of projects for people living with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Fundraisers can attempt a five or ten kilometre run around Munden House on Sunday, June 24.

Moira Martin, director of Kelly’s Self Storage, said: “We are excited about bringing another of our hugely successful events to Hertfordshire.

“As we have a thriving self storage centre located in St Albans we want to do something for the community we serve.

“We chose ReachOut Plus as they are a locally based charity working with disabled and disadvantaged people. This is the type of cause we are particularly passionate about supporting.”

The fundraiser currently runs in Guildford and Dartford, raising more than £30,000 for charity, and the organisers are hoping that the success will be repeated in Bricket Wood.

Runners can enter as individuals or as a team and the first place prize is a canal boat trip for 12 people.

Ron Overton, CEO of ReachOut Plus said: “We are very grateful that Kelly’s Self Storage has chosen to support us.

“We have been established for over 30 years but want to continue to raise our profile in the area and this event will enable us to do that.”

To find out more or to sign up for the event contact the fundraising team on 0845 216 0085.

RAMP FOR EXTERIOR UNITS

Storage Structures now offers operators a ramp made of G90 galvanized 16 gauge prime steel that can be installed in designated units that fits the full width of the door opening and fills in the weather ledge recession. The ramp meets the requirements for slope (“An ADA wheelchair ramp may have a slope of 1-1/2:12 to 1-3/16:12 ratio, but not for a rise of more than 3 inches.”)

DOOR HANDLES

Storage Structures provides new handles that can be installed to raise and lower a self storage roll-up door. The exterior rope handles are installed 15 inches above the floor to allow full range to roll the door up. The interior handle hangs down around 40 to 48 inches above the floor for ease to close.

DOOR SIGNAGE

Storage Structures provides signage to complete your conversion process to meet compliance with ADA standards.

Heath Mulkey, President of Storage Structures was straight-forward about the new product line. He explained “the industry was being warned about these requirements for units for years. We knew the enforcement date of March 15, 2012 was coming. I wanted to have a product prepared that was economical. Operators can do the installation themselves. They just need to provide us the measurements to make the ramps.”

Scott Stinard, a licensed architect with Stinard Architecture who has designed dozens of self storage facilities and is familiar with the ADA requirements said “these products offer a one-stop shop method of meeting the ADA requirements that apply to self storage units.”

Scott Zucker, an attorney specializing in self storage law, and a partner in the Self Storage Legal Network commented that “Storage Structures understands the construction requirements to make self storage facilities compliant with the ADA standards. The installation of these products can help to avoid costly lawsuits for many operators. Storage Structures was ahead of the curve on making this available so quickly.”

Self Storage Legal Network partner Carlos Kaslow noted, “Storage facilities must be in compliance with the ADA access regulations.  There are attorneys that specialize in bringing private ADA enforcement lawsuits against small businesses. Storage Structures offers a cost effective method of meeting this challenge.”

For More information, Go to: www.StorageDisabilityProducts.com

Lampe, a regular visitor to Australia since 2007, attended the inaugural Storage Expo, held on the Gold Coast, speaking to over 180 delegates introducing SiteLink Web Edition to Australia.

No longer just the new kid on the block, SiteLink Web Edition has grown enormously in Australia and is the fastest growing Self Storage management software in the southern hemisphere. With sites in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, SiteLink recently held its first worldwide user conference in Las Vegas, a sell-out success with operators attending from all over the world.

Ross will share with Australian delegates compelling reasons why SiteLink Web Edition is the program of choice for the world’s leading Self Storage operators and delegates will hear from other presenters on great Self Storage topics.

With partners Centreforce technology, SiteLink are now the pre-eminent software suppliers to the Self Storage industry in Australia.

“Self Storage is changing dramatically”, Dr Lampe said. “Self Storage vendors like SiteLink have to keep up with the latest trends and we invest heavily in research and development. We have more than 40 employees dedicated to developing the world’s best Self Storage software.”

“We are here for the long term and support our Australian, New Zealand and south-east Asian customers with new features and localisations and empower them to do business in our new connected world.” Lampe said.

“We will show you the power of SiteLink at the Storage Expo and delegates will see the advantages of cloud based software and they will get to see why more than 10,000 Self Storage sites worldwide use our software”. He said.

The Storage Expo in 2007 was enormously successful and Centreforce Technology feels it is the right time to showcase SiteLink and supporting products and how they work in unison to help Self Storage operators run their businesses better, more economically and more profitably.

With eight information packed sessions, attendees will see how the Internet can benefit their self Storage businesses, learn how the Web has delivered great business for operators and what the future holds for Self Storage.

Delegates will be able to ask questions of Self Storage industry panel at the conclusion of the sessions, entering their questions and providing great information.

“We have a large story to tell, hence the Expo”, said Dallas Dogger, Managing Director of the Centreforce Technology Group. “We are pleased to have Ross come to Australia and to sponsor our Expo and to share with us his wisdom and guidance on what the future brings us for Self Storage software – it’s an exciting time for Self Storage operators!

We have planned the day to be informational, fun and educational. We want delegates to feel like they are able to compete in this new Internet aware world and we have the products, knowledge and services to help them.”

• Perils faced by self-storage businesses
• Specialty insurance coverages
• Severe weather outlook and coverages for wind and hail
• Legal issues to consider
• Insurance as a risk-management strategy
• Agent opportunities in the self-storage market

For more information or to register, visit www.minico.com/register. Online registration is required for this free live event.

About MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, was founded in 1974 as a provider of specialty insurance products and publications for the self-storage industry. Today the company is a full-service managing general agency offering multiple specialty property and casualty insurance products for a variety of unique industries and exposures. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, the parent company of MiniCo Insurance Agency of Canada, Incorporated, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

The Lock Up, a Chicago based self storage company with 31 facilities nationwide, is dedicated to outstanding customer service and is celebrating their valued new and existing tenants by offering them the chance to win a Kindle Fire in the Tap Into Technology sweepstakes running from May 15th to June 30th.

“The Lock Up is continually looking for new ways to help their customers keep their lives organized… even outside of their storage units,” says Andrea Carnes, Vice President of Operations for The Lock Up Self Storage. “The Tap Into Technology sweepstakes is giving one customer in each of our 31 locations the opportunity to win a color, tap screen Kindle Fire. The Kindle Fire will allow them to have technology at their fingertips, literally. That can be an enormous help to people with active lifestyles. We appreciate the fact that our customers are proactive when it comes to organizing their lives and that they entrust us with their personal valuables. In return, we want to offer them something that can help them even more. The Kindle Fire not only has entertainment, but with certain apps installed, it becomes an invaluable tool when it comes to efficiency and organization.”

By installing apps that aid with productivity and efficiency, the Kindle Fire will allow the Tap Into Technology sweepstakes winners to take their organizational skills to a whole new level. A few apps that The Lock Up recommends are: Catch which will keep Lock Up winners on the ball by letting them set reminders and pin notes to their home screens; Cozi can keep the entire family organized and coordinated; and Springpad is the perfect app for the organized business owner on the go.

To enter the Tap Into Technology Sweepstakes, click here, then log into your Facebook account and follow the three easy steps. If you don’t have a Facebook account, you can still participate in the sweepstakes; simply click here.

For more information about the Tap Into Technology sweepstakes, go to thelockup.com or call 866.327.LOCK.

*Register to win through June 30, 2012 – Participants must be a Lock Up Self Storage tenant by June 30, 2012 to qualify for the sweepstakes. Kindle Fire winners must redeem prize in person, within 30 days of notification and at the location selected on entry form (must show valid photo ID). Contestants may only enter one time. The Lock Up Self Storage, SHS Management employees and immediate families are not eligible to

(via PRWeb)

Further information on acquisitions, management, or investments may be obtained by contacting Phil Jones at (925) 930-0810 ext. 115 or jonesp@pegasusgroup.net.   Pegasus Group www.pegasusgroup.net   Central Self-Storage www.centralselfstorage.com

 Storage Post Self Storage has added a new self storage facility to its brand and business structure in Kenner, Louisiana. The property, located at 300 23rd Street, features climate-controlled storage units, vehicle storage and drive-up access.

Storage Post is transitioning the store into current company operations, with plans to revitalize the building and office design to reflect Storage Post brand standards. Storage Post will act as third-party management for the property, handling marketing initiatives, point-of-sale materials and website and social media integration.

“Storage Post is designed to operate with maximum efficiency, from our search engine optimization and technology to our expertly-trained staff and experienced marketing team,” said Dylan Delaune, Storage Post Chief Investments Officer. “We’re confident that we can provide exceptional value to the owner using our philosophy of Operational Excellence.”

Storage Post is continually searching for self storage real estate and offers aggressive pricing for single or portfolio transactions. The company also selectively pursues management opportunities for owners or investors looking for increased returns and operational value.

For more information on Storage Post acquisitions and property criteria, contact the Acquisitions Department at 877-674-6777 or acquisitions@storagepost.com.

About Storage Post
Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Storage Post is a leading self storage company that focuses on quality products, operational excellence and positive customer service. Storage Post has locations throughout the East Coast and is actively pursuing self storage acquisitions. For more information on Storage Post acquisitions and its executive leadership team, visit www.storagepost.com.

Source: PR Newswire

Clopton Capital, a secondary market commercial real estate lender which provides commercial loans for income producing properties nationwide, is announcing the expansion and addition of loan options for owners and operators of self-storage facilities nationwide.

The real estate capital firm is currently seeking funding opportunities for self-storage facilities located in any market throughout the nation. “We are looking for operators and owners of self-storage properties nationwide that are looking for refinances, acquisitions, or construction loans.” Says Jake Clopton, founder, “We are looking for any opportunity, whether it be a single property business or a multi property middle market operator.” Pricing for real estate loans and credit facilities are incredibly low at the moment and a coupon of less than 4% is easily achievable for strong operators of several locations. The best way to find out more information about this program is to contact the company directly.

About Clopton Capital

Clopton Capital ranks as one of the most active and dynamic commercial real estate finance firms providing lending options nationwide for income producing properties. Offering commercial mortgages, construction loans, bridge loans, and CMBS loans to borrowers for a diverse range of property types and ownership structures, Clopton Capital has the capability to meet almost any lending needs of property owners and managers.

For more information contact a loan officer by calling 866-647-1650 or
http://cloptoncapital.com

(via PRWeb)