DALLAS — Copart Inc., a global online vehicle auction company, announced the activation of reserve land in Georgia and Virginia, in addition to the expansion of existing locations in the Carolinas and Florida. The land expansions and activations are connected to Hurricane Matthew, allowing Copart’s Catastrophe Response Team to provide even greater service in response to weather-related damage.

“We have a long history of preparing for and responding to catastrophes. This year, our reinvestment strategy has led us to expand in areas that frequently incur damage from natural disasters. That focus allowed us to immediately activate locations in Georgia and Virginia when Matthew hit the East Coast,” said Will Franklin, the company’s executive vice president. “We are also fortunate to have been able to add land in the Carolinas and Florida as an immediate response to Matthew.”

Copart has already announced expansions of existing locations in Florida and North Carolina, along with a new location in Georgia this year. The land has provided Copart with the capacity needed to meet immediate demand brought on by extreme weather.

According to company officials, Copart also continues to achieve operational excellence during times of need with their Catastrophe Response Team (CAT Team), a group of elite employees who are ready to respond to weather-related catastrophes at a moment’s notice. The CAT Team includes mobile command centers that are equipped with generators and satellite technology as well as the Copart Catastrophe Response Fleet comprised of haulers that each carry four cars. These industry-leading resources allow Copart to quickly mobilize and overcome challenges presented by catastrophes in order to help communities recover and return to normal more quickly.

“Not only do we strive to provide an unmatched experience, but we are always looking to contribute to the safety and quality of life of our local communities,” said COO Sean Eldridge. “In preparation for Hurricane Matthew, our team was put on alert, and our dedicated CAT Team did what they do best — responded and assisted while operating at the highest level.”

Last year, the CAT Team responded to flooding in Columbia, South Carolina, and, most recently, to the record-breaking flooding in the Baton Rouge area.

Copart operates in the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, India, Sultanate of Oman, Spain, Canada, Brazil, Germany, and the Republic of Ireland. In 2015, Copart was ranked No. 1 on Deloitte’s “The Exceptional 100” list which, reviews publically traded companies.