Pipeline Hack & Fuel Shortages Highlight Disaster Prep Best Practices
On Friday, May 7th, a ransomware attack at the Colonial Pipeline put a temporary stop to the transportation of 45% of the fuel supply of the East Coast, prompting many Americans to stock up on gasoline, and thousands of gas stations to run out of fuel.
The impact was most felt in the Southeast, but fuel reserves fell to a five-year low this week here in the Northeast as well, with a full recovery still a few more days out.
As the reporting on the attack pointed out, ““Many oil and gas pipelines [...] rely on decades-old control systems that are not well defended against more sophisticated cyber attacks and can’t be easily updated.”
In a crisis, whether a natural disaster or a cyber attack, infrastructure can fail, and you must be prepared to expect the unexpected. When fuel is at a premium, those tasked with disaster recovery responsibilities need to be well-stocked, and ready go into action.
That’s why here at FM Generator, we maintain reserves of up to 10,000 gallons of fuel at all times. In past disaster scenarios, we have supplied over half a million gallons of fuel to affected areas. We were unaffected by the disruption.
Remember, in the event of a long-term power outage, you not only need a reliable generator, but also a reliable fueling service. Your disaster plan is only as good as its weakest link, so make sure you have a reliable provider. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Ensure you are getting fuel you need.
When you use our refueling service, your home or business will remain operational through natural disasters and other unplanned power outages. We provide top-quality generator fuel with 24/7/365 customer service to ensure you will remain 100% operational, every time.
Our team will keep your generator fueled so you never have to worry about backup power for your home or facility. FM offers fuel deliveries to stationary and portable generators. We provide tank maintenance services including fuel polishing, diesel additives, tank cleaning and more.
Annual generator fuel testing is recommended to ensure your tank is free of water and other harmful contaminants. This will ensure your generator starts when needed.
