Winter Storm Grayson pummeled the U.S. East Coast with ice and snow from Florida to Maine last week. The blizzard left power outages, flooding, and frigid temperatures in its wake, killing at least 22 people and causing significant property damage.

From historic high tides in Boston to snow in Tallahassee, this extreme weather event wreaked havoc in coastal states. Floods occurred in North Carolina, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, and even two Norwegian cruise ships passing through the storm.

For those who fled for higher ground, they returned to find property — including computers and hard drives —  damaged by severe flooding. In spite of historic amounts of snow, insurers believe that flooding damages will outweigh snow-related ones.

While data loss may be a secondary concern to those impacted by the weather, losing sentimental photos and valuable files is still frustrating. Because of this, Datarecovery.com is offering free data recovery services (not including shipping and parts) to all personal computer users with devices affected by the recent coastal flooding (and if you were unlucky enough to be onboard one of the affected cruise ships, we’ll cover you, too). Affected businesses are eligible for a 35 percent discount.

If your hard drive, server, or other device has suffered water damage, follow these steps:

• Make sure that your computer is off and unplugged before touching any connected media. Water-damaged devices may have live electrical connections, so exercise caution.
• Do not attempt to clean or repair a damaged device. Specialized equipment and expertise are necessary to clean and recover data from a hard drive or other media.
• Do not attempt to dry water-damaged hard drives. All cleaning procedures should be completed in a controlled environment to ensure the highest probability of data recovery.
• Call Datarecovery.com to speak to an engineer. Our experts can help determine the best course of action and advise you on how to best preserve your device for shipment.

The platters of a hard drive are sealed off, so even a waterlogged device may contain recoverable data. Datarecovery.com uses ISO 5 cleanroom technology and other specialized tools to recover information from water-damaged drives. Media can continue to degrade after the initial damage, so don’t delay in contacting a professional.

If you or your business has been affected by flooding from the recent blizzard, contact Datarecovery.com at 1-800-237-4200 to speak to an engineer and start a case.

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Here is some recent feedback from a Puerto Rico resident affected by flooding from Hurricane Maria that we were really happy to see:

“I have no words of how happy I am with you guys, you recover all my photos from a wet hard drive something I will appreciate for the rest of my life, if something happen again and counting on you guys thanks so much.”

While every case is different, most flood-damaged drives have issues with platter contamination, PCB damage, and corrosion. Platter contamination is the most pressing issue since any water is bad and flood water isn’t exactly clean. When we receive these drives, our immediate goal is to clean all components and prevent additional corrosion and damage. As soon as we’ve checked in each case, we perform a thorough decontamination in an ISO 5 cleanroom environment.

What To Do if Your Computer Is Damaged in a Hurricane

If you have a flood-damaged hard drive, it’s vital that you don’t attempt to clean it yourself, since you may accidentally cause additional damage—plus, for the time being, we’re not charging for the cleaning, so you might as well leave the task to the professionals.

Instead, package it securely in a plastic bag. Don’t try to use hair dryers or other devices to dry the electronics, and don’t add water to the bag (we’ve seen customers try both of these techniques, and the results aren’t great).

Here’s the good news: Most flood-damaged hard drives are recoverable. Time is a factor, so get your media to a qualified data recovery company with real laboratories.

That’s especially important; if you bring your media to a company that just forwards your case on without cleaning its components, your drive might incur additional corrosion damage while it’s waiting for an evaluation. If the data’s important, you definitely don’t want to take chances.

Check out a few pictures of our recent Hurricane Harvey cases below via Imgur. You can also check out our Reddit post on this subject here, or for more information about flood-damaged hard drive data recovery or to set up a free case, call 1-800-237-4200.

Hurricane-Damaged Hard Drives

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Datarecovery.com, a worldwide leader in data recovery technology, announced free services for all victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

Personal computer users can receive any of Datarecovery.com’s standard hard drive, flash drive, and cellphone data recovery services free of charge. For business users affected by flooding, Datarecovery.com will offer an unconditional 35 percent discount.

“This isn’t a gimmick,” said Datarecovery.com President Ben Carmitchel. “The services are actually free. We’re trying to make a horrific situation a little bit easier.”

Hurricanes can cause extensive damage to computer systems through flooding, fires, and electrical events. Datarecovery.com operates four laboratories with certified clean rooms, and the company’s engineers can restore damaged hard drives, servers, and flash media to recover crucial data.

“Many people escape hurricane zones, only to realize that they left behind computers with family pictures and other priceless data,” Carmitchel said. “When they return home, their computers are permanently damaged by floodwaters. That’s where we come in.”

Normally, data recovery services for flood-damaged computers can cost thousands of dollars. Engineers have to carefully clean the affected media, rebuild damaged components, then treat corruption and other logical issues.

“We maintain high recovery rates for flood-damaged computer media, but it’s not an easy process,” Carmitchel said. “Time is definitely a factor, since the devices can corrode quickly.”

Computer users should contact Datarecovery.com at 1-800-237-4200 to inquire about free services. The company also provides a page, linked here, with tips for improving the chances of a successful recovery following a flood.

The two hurricanes are expected to be extremely costly. Hurricane Harvey will cost the United States up to $180 billion by some estimates, and damage from Hurricane Irma could top $125 billion according to historical models. Damages due to data loss are difficult to quantify, but many insurance providers do not offer policies that cover the costs of data recovery.

Important Note: Free services are restricted to personal computer users directly affected by Hurricane Irma or Hurricane Harvey. Customers are responsible for paying the actual cost of any replacement components used during repairs, along with return media (customers can provide return media at no charge) and shipping.

Datarecovery.com is a worldwide leader in data loss prevention, computer forensics and data recovery services. With four locations in California, Illinois, Arizona, and Toronto, the company provides a variety of services to thousands of clients each year. Visit https://datarecovery.com for more information.

Contact:
Datarecovery.com
Ben Carmitchel, 602-635-2020
ben.carmitchel@datarecovery.com
Datarecovery.com

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After any natural disaster, Datarecovery.com receives an influx of cases from business owners, government offices, and personal computer users who have lost data from damaged hard drives and servers. Even if a property avoids flooding, the sustained winds and rains of a hurricane can break windows and cause extensive water damage—especially to sensitive electronic equipment.

Luckily, data recovery experts can salvage data from most water-damaged devices. Though the electronics or sensitive mechanical parts may no longer function, the platters where information is stored may still be readable.

“Most problems we see are not as bad as one would think,” says Ben Carmitchel, CEO of Datarecovery.com, Inc. “Modern drives are sealed off from air, often keeping the sensitive platters out of harm.”

The key to data recovery is acting quickly and relying on experts. Attempting to dry or repair a hard drive yourself reduces the odds of recovering your data.

“When it comes to flood recovery, the faster we get the drive, the better the chances of recovery,” Carmitchel says. “Every minute counts.”

If your hard drive, server, or other device has suffered water damage, follow these steps:

• Make sure that your computer is off and unplugged before touching any connected media.

• Do not attempt to clean, dry, or repair a water-damaged device. Specialized equipment and expertise are necessary to clean and recover data from a hard drive or other media.

• Call Datarecovery.com to speak to an engineer. Our experts can help determine the best course of action and advise you on how to best preserve your device for shipment.

We hope that Irma loses steam and dissipates before any more damage occurs. However, if it continues on its path and hits the U.S., Datarecovery.com is offering a 35 percent discount on all data recovery services.

Of course, avoiding data loss in the first place is preferable. If you can back up your essential data in the cloud or pack your hard drives when you evacuate, do so as soon as possible.

If you have data recovery needs because of Hurricane Irma or any other reason, call us at 1-800-237-4200 to discuss your options.

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Hurricane Harvey is expected to wreak havoc on Houston and other Texas cities on Aug. 25th. Widespread flooding is possible, and indeed, probable at this point.

When any natural disaster hits, Datarecovery.com receives numerous cases from business owners, government administrative offices, and personal computer users who have lost data. Flooding is an especially serious issue, since water-damaged hard drives, solid-state drives, and servers pose unique challenges for data recovery engineers.

Flood water isn’t clean, of course, and it can introduce contaminants that cause corrosion and other serious problems. Electronic damage is common after flooding, and time is a major factor—the longer a computer user waits to seek help, the lower the chances of recovery.

There is good news, however: The vast majority of flood-damaged hard drives are completely recoverable with the right tools and knowledge. Datarecovery.com has handled thousands of data recovery cases involving floods, fires, and other hurricane-related damage, and we’re one of the only companies operating real, full-service laboratories at every location.

We’re hoping to help Hurricane Harvey victims by providing a 35 percent discount on all of our data recovery services. If you’ve been affected by the flood and you need to recover data from a hard drive, server, or any other device, take these steps immediately:

• Make sure that your computer is powered off and unplugged before handling any media. Ground yourself to avoid static shocks; remember, water and electricity aren’t a great combination.

• Don’t attempt to dry, clean, or repair damaged media. This includes (but is not limited to) hard drives; to clean the drive without damaging it, you’d need special equipment including a controlled clean room environment, so the safest course of action is to contact an expert data recovery laboratory.

• Contact our engineers to discuss the situation. Every case is different, and we can provide advice to help you preserve and ship your media safely.

Of course, the best course of action is to avoid data loss in the first place. If you’re reading this before Hurricane Harvey hits, backup any important data off site. Make multiple backups of mission-critical data, and take appropriate steps to protect your media before the hurricane hits.

We’re wishing for the safety for everyone in the path of Hurricane Harvey. To discuss data recovery options for your case, call us today at 1-800-237-4200.

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The deadly storms have killed more than a dozen people and destroyed homes and businesses throughout the region.

“Many businesses are struggling to get their computer systems back up and running, and these first few days are crucial. Lost computer files can make an enormous difference for some companies,” said Ben Carmitchel, President of DataRecovery.com.

Hard drives and computer devices can take additional damage in the weeks following a major natural disaster, as storm water can cause corrosion and other issues. DataRecovery.com urges computer users to take immediate action to protect their files.

“In addition to physical damage, we often see damage from electrical shocks, flooding, and fires following major natural disasters,” said Carmitchel. “Because the damage can get worse over time, we recommend getting assistance right away.”

DataRecovery.com’s engineers carefully clean damaged media in a certified Class 5 clean room, removing water, dirt, and other sources of contamination. They can then provide a detailed data recovery report, and if the computer’s owner chooses to proceed with the recovery, the process is completed within several days.

Even if computer users do not want to pay for the services, they can receive free hard drive evaluation services to limit damage. DataRecovery.com also provides free shipping for tornado victims and a sizable data recovery discount.

“We’re trying to help in any way we can,” said Carmitchel. “We can recover data from most hard drives, even when they’ve sustained serious damage. However, it’s very important to get the damaged hard disk to a reputable data recovery provider as quickly as possible.”

DataRecovery.com’s engineers carefully clean damaged media in a certified Class 5 clean room, removing water, dirt, and other sources of contamination. They can then provide a detailed data recovery report, and if the computer’s owner chooses to proceed with the recovery, the process is completed within several days.

Datarecovery.com is a worldwide leader in data recovery services. With four locations in California, Illinois, Arizona, and Toronto, the company provides a variety of services to thousands of clients each year. Visit www.datarecovery.com for more information.

Contact Information

Datarecovery.com, Inc.
Ben Carmitchel
1-602-635-2020
www.datarecovery.com

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November 09, 2012 – Pleasanton, CA – With thousands of corporate networks and millions of personal computer users affected by Hurricane Sandy, it should come as no surprise that data loss is widespread throughout the East Coast. According to representatives of Datarecovery.com, a leader in data recovery that operates state-of-the-art laboratories across the United States and Canada, it may take a while to understand the costs of data loss in Sandy’s wake.

“We’ve already received a number of hard drives from businesses and personal computer users through our St. Louis laboratory,” said Ben Carmitchel, President of DataRecovery.com. “Over the next month or so, we expect to receive several hundred more. Major storms usually cause data loss, unfortunately, and this storm was particularly rough for our customers.”

“The blackouts in New York City and New Jersey have probably caused millions of dollars in data loss already, and that number could easily reach the billion-dollar mark when all is said and done,” said Ben Carmitchel, President of Datarecovery.com.

Hundreds of major businesses and organizations have reported lost data, including the Labor Department, which said on Thursday that many workers seeking jobless benefits will have to wait for their checks due to flood-damaged computer systems.

Datarecovery.com also reported a surge of water-damaged cases this week, including a number of hard drives, RAID arrays and flash media. The company’s representatives say that time can affect the chances of a successful data recovery, especially if a device is directly damaged by flooding.

“After a drive is exposed to flood water, it immediately starts corroding and the chances of a successful recovery start to drop,” said Kevin Thole, lead data recovery engineer at DataRecovery.com. “We have to delicately clean each hard drive in our Class 5 clean room, which is a completely particle-free environment.”

“We’ve had a high recovery rates with every case we’ve handled, but these certainly aren’t easy cases.”

Thole says that East Coast computer users should immediately contact a professional recovery laboratory if they need to recover files from a flood-damaged device.

“[Computer users] need to get their hard drives out of water, into a plastic bag and to one of our laboratories right away,” Thole says. “The biggest problems occur when they try to dry their hard drives, which can seriously damage hard drives, flash drives and other devices. We’ve got the equipment and we’re ready to help.”

Datarecovery.com is also offering heavily discounted rates on hard drives affected by Hurricane Sandy.

“We’re trying to work with clients as much as possible,” said Thole. “This type of data loss could happen to anyone, which is why regular backup is absolutely important.”

Datarecovery.com is a worldwide leader in data recovery services for RAID systems, hard drives, flash media and other digital storage devices. Since 1998, the company has provided data recovery for all digital devices, including fire and flood-damaged hard drives, through several locations across the United States and Canada.

Contact Information

Datarecovery.com, Inc.
Ben Carmitchel
1-618-635-2020
www.datarecovery.com
Ph. 800.237.4200 ext. 269

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“Since we are uniquely centered right in the middle of this mess, we are better positioned to assist than any other data recovery company. Our laboratories in St. Louis and Minneapolis are only a stone’s throw away from some of the worst-hit areas. We’re trying to help our clients and our community,” said ESS President Ben Carmitchel. “In places like Quincy and Des Moines, they’re just trying to prevent further damage right now, and we hope that free data recovery services will help relieve some of the stress and suffering that the flooding has caused.”

Flood data recovery is extremely difficult in some cases, and as a result the cost for recovery can sometimes rise above $2,000. “Hard drives store data on magnetic platters that are very sensitive to contamination, so obviously drives that have been submerged in water are more difficult and costly to work with,” Carmitchel said. “However, if we get the drives quickly and treat the issues in a clean room, the chances of data recovery are very high.”

Victims of the floods with damaged hard drives should call ESS at 1.800.237.4200 to set up a data recovery case.

Formed in 1997, ESS Data Recovery is a worldwide leader in data recovery services and computer forensics. Through its three US locations, it services thousands of clients each year, from Fortune 500 companies to home computer users. ESS Data Recovery provides data recovery from hard drives, RAID arrays, iPods, flash drives, and other forms of media. They can be contacted at 1.800.237.4200 or through their website at datarecovery.com.

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How do In-Lab Services work?

1. Contact Datarecovery.com at 1.800.237.4200 for a free consultation or set up a case online
2. A Data Recovery Technical Representative will gather information and assess your situation
3. You place your hard drive(s) in a zip-lock bag and send the media to one of our labs (do not add water)
4. After receiving your media, our Data Recovery Engineers perform a diagnosis and provide you with a comprehensive analysis and recovery quote
5. Our Data Recovery Engineers perform the recovery and backup your valuable data to the media of your choice; CD, DVD, Tape, Hard Drive
6. Your original media and recovered data is sent back to you for restoration

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