During Hurricane Ike, major corporations and government organizations used The PIER System as their main communication control center for employees, families, press, students, the media, stakeholders and to warn affected areas of evacuations.

Many people have asked us to outline the many ways that PIER was utilized during this crisis. The following is a list of the organizations and how they depended on The PIER System during Hurricane Ike:

United States Coast Guard Storm Watch: www.uscgstormwatch.com

• Updates about USCG response to Hurricane Ike
• News releases and images posted to site by coasties
• Ship channel updates posted for maritime safety and access
• Constant communication between affected USCG sectors
• Sustained communication with over 330,000 site visits

United States Coast Guard District 8 External Affairs: www.d8externalaffairs.com

• Provided district-wide information about USCG efforts for preparedness and response
• Provided a quick link to the USCG’s dedicated Hurricane Ike Stormwatch site
• RSS feeds for updates from the Stormwatch site were integrated for additional exposure
• Sustained communication with over 609,000 site visits

University of Houston Emergency Center: www.uhemergency.info

• Class closures and re-opening notices posted and sent to over 39,000 students
• Rapid response to over 550 inquiries from students and parents
• Continual updates to additional information and resources added when needed
• Mass distribution of President’s message to students and families
• Sustained communication with over 3,900,000 site visits

University of Houston, Downtown: www.uhdemergency.info

• Provided campus closure and reopening information
• Easily accessible database of contact information for students and parents
• Information hub for response notices and resources
• Sustained communication with over 205,000 site visits

University of Houston, Clear Lake: www.uhclemergency.info
University of Houston, Victoria: www.uhvemergency.info

• Provided campus closure and reopening information
• Inquiry management for students and parents
• Hurricane updates during the storm
• Hurricane Response Plan readily available
• Hotline and emergency numbers
• Sustained communication with over 134,000 visits per site

Fort Bend County, TX Public Information Center: www.fortbendnews.info

• 56 Hurricane Ike updates were posted for community members
• Updates sent to over 500 media, elected officials and stakeholder contacts
• Inquiry tracking and response
• Sustained communication with over 670,000 site visits

Marathon Oil Corporation Employee Communications: www.marathoncares.com

• Exclusive access for employees and contractors to receive updated contact information
• Regular updates about safety information, closures and reopenings of facilities with notifications sent directly to employees
• Sustained communication with over 370,000 site visits

Marathon Oil Corporation Hurricane Response: www.marathonresponds.com

• Provided information about Marathon’s Texas refinery
• Information was populated from multiple Houston offices to make pertinent information available from the same source
• Sustained communication with over 71,000 site visits

METRO Solutions: www.metrosolutions.org

• Public news with updates
• Information for visitors inquiring about METRO closures and rescheduling
• Sustained communication with over 587,000 site visits

Metro Responds: www.metroresponds.com

• Ongoing updates and recovery operation announcements regarding Houston METRO services
• Information available in English and Spanish
• Preparation and planning information readily accessible
• Sustained communication with over 380,000 site visits

Port of Houston Authority: www.phastatus.com

• Provided updates for Port of Houston Authority tenants an information to trucking industry stakeholders
• Sustained communication with over 268,000 site visits

Pasadena Prepares; City of Pasadena Texas: www.piersystem.com/go/site/1616

• Information for residents of Pasadena, Texas
• Evacuation notices
• Weather updates
• Web resources
• Sustained communication with over 91,000 site visits

Motiva Port Arthur Refinery Community Info: www.motivaportarthur.com

• Information about the major oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas
• Provided closure information to Port Arthur employees and the community
• Information populated from sources in different states

BP Hurricane Ike Center: www.bphurricane.com

• Provided daily update information about one of their major oil refineries in Texas City, Texas
• Also provided information for Gulf of Mexico operations
• Site populated and managed in Illinois to ensure continual service
• Sustained communication with over 60,000 site visits