Hurricane Florence Update

Update for Tuesday, September 18th: We did receive a pickup from UPS yesterday. Unfortunately, the USPS truck was not able to make it to us, but we're assured he will make it today. We also anticipate being caught up with shipments today and that service will continue normally from here on out. Thank you for all of your patience with us as we get up and running.

Smokingpipes.com headquarters in Longs, SC after Hurricane Florence

Smokingpipes HQ in Longs, SC

Hurricane Florence has come and gone, leaving quite the swathe of destruction in her extremely wet path. Given the severity and duration of the storm, Smokingpipes—and its sister companies LDG and Cornell & Diehl—in the northeastern corner of South Carolina have fared remarkably well.

As of this morning—Monday, September 17th—we are operating from our main building again, preparing packages for shipment and readying ourselves for Thursday's update. We are, and will continue to be for the next couple of days, operating with a smaller than normal crew. Many of us evacuated for the storm, particularly those of us who live north or coast-ward of the company, and it has proven difficult or impossible for some of us to make it back due to considerable flooding on roads across North and South Carolina. We're getting there, though.

We're anticipating some sort of USPS and UPS pickup today. Likely not all will be able to ship today, though many hundreds will. Between being understaffed and modified pickup schedules from the carriers and multiple days of accumulated orders to ship, we anticipate being able to clear roughly half of the backlog. If you're waiting on a shipment, please be patient with us. We'll get caught up soon.


Smokingpipes.com headquarters in Longs, SC after Hurricane Florence

Map sourced from weather.com


So, what does this look like over the next few days?

Depending on the severity of flooding in the area, it's possible that we will have to shut down operations again for two days later in the week. A series of rivers and swamps criss-cross the region, which could isolate our facilities from the people who work there, effectively turning the northeastern corner of South Carolina into an archipelago for a couple of days. We came very close to this with Hurricane Matthew in 2016; it is presently unclear whether flooding from Florence will be worse in our immediate vicinity than it was for that storm. The buildings themselves are on slightly higher ground and should be fine; it will be a matter of access to the building, not a concern for the facility, inventory or other contents.

We've heard from many of you over the past few days expressing concerns and best-wishes. Thank you so very much. We are lucky to have customers like you. Rest assured that we are all safe and that the company is safe. It'll just take a few more days before everything is completely back to normal.

Comments

    • Brett on September 17, 2018
    • Glad you guys are okay.

    • Christopher Halme on September 17, 2018
    • Glad you're all safe, thanks for the update!

    • Cressy Lopez on September 17, 2018
    • Happy to hear you all are okay, and hope your loved ones are just as well.

    • Chuck Donbaugh on September 17, 2018
    • Happy to hear that you “ weathered” the storm. And, that your crew will be back in full swing shortly. Your folks are the absolute best in the business and your web presence is phenomenal!

    • Jerry Campbell on September 17, 2018
    • Thankfully each & everyone is safe! Hopefully every things stays that way! My prayers go out to each & everyone.

    • Dan C. Williamson on September 17, 2018
    • I am relieved to hear all is ok with you. Best wishes to all and hoping that all of you didn't have significant property loss--house, then the pipes and or aged cigars!! :-)

    • David F on September 17, 2018
    • Glad to hear you guys are ok. Thanks you for your exemplary service.

    • Robert Kuntz on September 17, 2018
    • It's great to hear that you have fared well so far, and that all of your people are well. Here's hoping the flooding in the next few days will be manageable.

      Your new-won Irish frontier may actually have to contend with some severe weather from Helene today and tomorrow. Post-tropical, but still a strong storm.

      Pipe folks are more than just customers and companies; we are, I think, fairly understood as a community. We appreciate what you have done for a pastime and craft we love. Wishing you all a speedy recovery.

    • Josh Dye on September 17, 2018
    • Thanks for the update and most importantly, glad you all are safe!

    • Felix on September 17, 2018
    • Awesome, glad to hear you guys survived this monster storm. I was thinking about smoking pipes being underwater being that your location is not that far off the coast. Thank you for letting all of us know.

    • jeff b on September 17, 2018
    • wishing all well, may the pipe Gods keep you safe/

    • Mike A. on September 17, 2018
    • Glad you are all safe. I hope everyone’s property escaped as unharmed as possible. Cheers!

    • Ancient Mariner on September 17, 2018
    • Wishing all of you a quick and smooth personal and work schedule recovery. It feels good you keep us informed.

    • Henry Lawrence on September 17, 2018
    • Glad to here you are all ok. The main thing is take care of the people who work for you, they are the backbone of the company. Orders will get shipped and people will understand. It’s better to have stocked shelves with good product and minor problems, then an empty warehouse with nothing to sell. We will be here for you.....we will wait....Slainte!

    • Linda Wicklein on September 17, 2018
    • We are so glad to hear that all of you are safe!! Continue to take care of yourselves! God bless you all!!

    • Brad Davis on September 17, 2018
    • Keep on smokin’

    • G. Michael G. on September 17, 2018
    • Take it easy, just like the pipe smoking missives you publish. Eventually things will dry out, and be patient with yourselves in getting up to business tasks. Glad you folks are okay.

    • Pat Velkavrh on September 17, 2018
    • Glad to hear that you survived ... continued positive vibes for the upcoming days and to all you folks returning to some normalcy !!!

    • Phil Morgan on September 17, 2018
    • Glad to hear that you are faring well so far and hope that any future impact is minimal.

    • greg venuto on September 17, 2018
    • we can always get a tin! you and the company can never be replaced..happy u guys and gals are safe!!

    • Paul Trause on September 17, 2018
    • Thanks folks. Our thoughts are with you.

    • Paul Trause on September 17, 2018
    • Thanks folks. My thoughts are with you.

    • Mark Nolte on September 17, 2018
    • From the Seattle area, I tracked the storm with special attention to the only "friends" (you) I had in the region. Best wishes for the business, and the staff.

    • Dennis Duckett on September 17, 2018
    • Thanks for the heads up. God bless everyone!

    • Linwood Hines on September 17, 2018
    • Happy to hear y'all are doing well, but don't worry about us - we can certainly wait for everwhat....y'all be careful with "shallow water" and possible road breaks, and very soft shoulders if you drive around standing water....

    • Mher Boyadzhyan on September 17, 2018
    • I am so, so glad you are all safe and that the facility is OK.

      Thank you so much for the update.

      I hope everything will be back up to 100% operational capacity by next week.

      I love you guys.

      Thank you for all you do.

      Be well!

    • Richard H. on September 17, 2018
    • Thanks for the update. Our prayers are with you!

    • Tom Cronin on September 17, 2018
    • You guys take care of yourselves first. I understand your situation. I'm in North Carolina right above you. I don't have any current orders, but if I did, I would not want any of you risking your lives to get them to me. Take care of yourselves and stay safe.

    • Thomas Cronin on September 17, 2018
    • You guys take care of yourselves first. I understand your situation. I'm in North Carolina right above you. I don't have any current orders, but if I did, I would not want any of you risking your lives to get them to me. Take care of yourselves and stay safe.

    • Rodney Smith on September 17, 2018
    • WHEW !!! We lucked out.

    • DAVE SOMMER on September 17, 2018
    • I understand being from WNY. Afterall we have had our fair(?) share of
      blizzards and ice storms here too. I'm glad everyone is safe and for those working from home I hope you guys have plenty of food and smoking supplies on hand. Take care Guys!!!!!!!!! Dave

    • Richard C on September 17, 2018
    • As with all the rest, I'm glad to hear you made it all right. God Bless!

    • Croze on September 17, 2018
    • Relieved you all weathered Florence's passage. Happy that the facility is ok, too.

      Blessings!

    • Andrew M on September 17, 2018
    • Happy to read that you are OK.
      Stay safe!

    • Paul Frederick on September 17, 2018
    • I was aboard a ship home ported in Charleston during my time in the Navy. I saw on the news that they sent the ships that could get underway out to sea until the storm passed.

    • Mark on September 17, 2018
    • Glad all are safe!

    • CWO4 on September 17, 2018
    • Glad to hear that you guys are OK. Unfortunately the rivers have not crested and they are all going to be at record levels. Watch for the invasion of snakes and possibly alligators. Take care of yourselves and thank you for outstanding service.

    • David on September 17, 2018
    • So glad to hear you've survived well. I certainly hope everyone will be understanding if their shipments are delayed! Having survived Hugo when I still lived in SC, as well as Ike and Harvey here in Houston, getting going again is never like flipping a switch! Take care!!

    • Michael Zuelke on September 17, 2018
    • Glad to hear all are safe as of today. Prayers for all of you most of all and for the buildings, inventory and other contents, too

    • Jeff Tomei on September 17, 2018
    • Glad to hear you guys weathered the storm. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!

    • Sherman Luxenburg on September 17, 2018
    • Stay safe and well! Before we know it, all will all be past. We're looking forward to a better future!

    • McFuzz on September 17, 2018
    • Thanks for the update, guys. Really just glad to hear you're seeing some employees making it in - and we hope the rest are all OK. Take your time - all the best!

    • Tom Lattimore on September 17, 2018
    • Just a customer wishing you all the best and wishing you God’s blessings and protection. I love Smoking Pipes...Tom

    • John O on September 17, 2018
    • I'm thankful that you are all safe. We can wait for our orders! Your shipping is always world class.

    • Michael on September 17, 2018
    • The good Lord gives us the bad times so that we appreciate the good ones that much more. Prayers and best wishes from your friends in Canada.

    • Gary Kieschnick on September 17, 2018
    • I am very happy to here that God has shined his light on each and everyone of the Smoking Pipes Family. Take Care and God Bless.

    • tariq a on September 17, 2018
    • thank you
      But me
      I am Waiting
      From the date of
      06/26/18
      Not up to

      I live in Saudi Arabia

      the weather is hot
      And wet

      There is no tobacco
      available

      Any
        God
      Excellent
      Delivery
      My request

    • John Capps on September 17, 2018
    • Thank you for taking the time to let us know. God bless you all and do what you have to do to be safe!

    • Thomas Lewis on September 17, 2018
    • Thank you for all of your dedicated staff. I’m placing an order and will follow up with more to help out with your company’s down time. That said please take your time and no need to rush. You and your families come first.

    • David Schwartz on September 17, 2018
    • I'm so glad to read that you came through this so well. I hope that your homes as well as your place of business suffered little or no damage. The storm may rage, but well packed pipes will stay lit and smoke again when the sun comes out. I'll light one this evening in Texas in your honor. God bless you all!

    • Michael Colvin on September 17, 2018
    • Glad y'all made it through the storm safely! Hope your homes did as well. Earlier, I googled Longes S.Carolina in order to find out how y'all fared. Nothing! Thank you for the update.

    • Wayne McKay on September 17, 2018
    • WHEW! I'm so glad you, your employees, and your business are intact.

    • KevinM on September 17, 2018
    • Sounds like you weathered the storm, and the situation could have been a lot worse. Best wishes to all of you at SP, as well as your neighbors in the Carolinas who are showing true grit in this emergency. And thank for the update.

    • Teodor Gug on September 17, 2018
    • Happy you weathered the storm and very impressed with the efforts you people are making to resume regular services - kudos to all of you! Also let's appreciate the efforts of UPS and Postal Services personnel to help moving parcels - it is a shame it takes a calamity to realize that they do every day an outstanding and very important work for all of us!
      Your
      Teodor Gug

    • dave s on September 17, 2018
    • Wishing everyone peace.It doesn't matter if the order is late.

    • Gary Reed on September 17, 2018
    • Above all be safe. Glad our inconvenience is small and will look forward to full operation. Best wishes to everyone

    • Mark Goodrich on September 17, 2018
    • You guys are the best. Thank God your place and people are ok!!!!

    • Jason B on September 17, 2018
    • Hello Ladies & Gentlmen of SmokingPipes...all of you fine folks are in my thoughts and prayers. Please be safe as you continue to recover from this tremendous hurricane. God Bless. JB

    • ZAK H on September 17, 2018
    • Very glad to hear everyone is safe. My family and I were supposed to fly down to Myrtle on Sunday and I was very much looking forward to visiting the shop. Maybe next year!

    • Gwendolyn R Karan on September 17, 2018
    • You are All in my Prayers with Blessibgs and Love!! Take special care!!$🙏💞

    • Alain S on September 17, 2018
    • A. Sevi
      Glad everyone made it through. Was worried when I noticed your location on a map. I'm very impressed (but not surprised) by the extra hard work you guys are putting in.

    • Giacomo M on September 17, 2018
    • Thanks for the update, glad you guys are ok! Best wishes

    • Alisher S on September 18, 2018
    • I am glad that you are safe. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Wishing you a speedy recovery from Hurricane Florence. Guys, you are the best.

    • Mark W. on September 18, 2018
    • I'm not at all concerned with the time it takes to get my latest order together and shipped...with what you all have gone through, I'm only glad that you all are safe. Do what you have to do to takes care of yourselves - and each other. Some things take priority, and I can wait for a pipe and accessories :)

    • Ali Kemal Özkan on September 18, 2018
    • Glad to hear all are safe as of today...

    • SWB on September 18, 2018
    • Hurricane Lane flooded us and broke the mountainous roads with slides. Then Olivia gave us a nod. We watched Florence from afar, keeping fingers crossed that the weather pundits were wrong. As we dig out and chainsaw for access, you are still feeling the onslaught. We wish you safety, energy, optimism and mana until you all get to the other side.

    • Phillip Woodard on September 18, 2018
    • Thank you for the update and glad everyone is safe.

    • Won j on September 18, 2018
    • 강한 허리케인에도 불구하고 많은 피해가 없어 다행으로 생각합니다. 여러가지 주변의 힘든 여건속에서도 최선을 다하는 멤버들에게 칭찬과 함께 감사드립니다.

    • -bw on September 18, 2018
    • Thanks for the update. Stay dry.

    • -bw on September 18, 2018
    • Thanks for the update. Stay dry.

    • greg alexander koliaga on September 18, 2018
    • well done! good job, glad everyone is okay. keep up the good work!

    • sirgawain1 on September 18, 2018
    • Thankful that everyone is safe and that all is well, and continued prayers that things continue. Smokingpipes.com is one of the biggest single reasons for the renaissance of our glorious hobby, and THAT'S why you guys stand head and shoulders above your competitors. Your contribution to the Glorious Hobby is inestimable; I daresay that a great many people besides myself would readily say that the hobby wouldn't be what it is without you. Thank you, one and all, for everything you do to add value and pleasure to our shared pastime. My best to you, and God bless! --Christopher

    • Mark B. on September 18, 2018
    • Many thanks for the informative update. Very pleased to hear you're hanging in there. Best of luck to everyone at Smoking Pipes!

    • John Krebs on September 18, 2018
    • Good to hear things are going well so far and my large shipment of McClelland - 3 Oaks Syrian will soon be on the way ! :)

    • Bob K. on September 18, 2018
    • Very thankful that all are safe & sound. I suspect this whole hurricane mess
      was the result of prayers by Chuck Stanion to the tobacco God......that
      McClelland's Beacon would float down from heaven and land in his lap.
      :-) All the best
      Bob K.

    • Furkan E on September 19, 2018
    • I did read this happen, this storm nexted very hard, I hope everthing is good.For this update thanks.Good works.

    • Garrick on September 20, 2018
    • I was watching the news for floating pipes and tins of tobacco.... didn’t see any. Glad all you and your families are safe.

    • Adrian Wolff on September 21, 2018
    • So glad to hear you guys survived the storm. I have been watching the daily NBC broadcasts televised here in Australia and have been very concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the Smokingpipes / C&D Team and for all the folks living in the affected areas. Best wishes to you all............ Adrian (Perth West Australia)

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