You can’t stop a hurricane, but you can follow the guidelines below to stay safe when a storm in on the way.
- Monitor and track the hurricane to remain current on the storm’s status and projected path. (National Hurricane Center https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/)
- Shut down operations that depend on outside power sources in an orderly manner, following established procedures.
- Ensure emergency supplies and equipment are on hand and ready for the on-site emergency action team, including:
- Three-day supply of drinking water and nonperishable food
- Medical supplies/first-aid kits
- Flashlights and batteries
- Walkie-talkies and/or cell phones (with spare batteries)
- Portable pumps and hoses
- Emergency lighting
- Lumber, plywood, nails
- Hand and power tools
- Plastic covers and tarpaulins
- Obtain cash for post-hurricane needs such as buying food and supplies or paying employees and contractors.
- Protect and/or relocate vital records off site. Include blueprints, structural records, utility plans.
- Relocate water-sensitive equipment and materials to safe areas away from exterior doors and windows and off the floor.
- De-energize and cover computers, machinery, and stock with tarpaulins and waterproof covers.
- Check and clear floor drains.
- Isolate or remove any chemicals that can react violently with each other.
- Shut down gas-fired equipment and shut off main gas valves.
- Shut down all noncritical and nonessential electrical equipment.
- Inspect and clear roof drains, gutters, and flashing.
- Secure roof-mounted equipment such as HVAC units, exhaust vents and covers.
- Check guy wires on antennas, stacks, and towers.
- Remove TV and radio antennas and satellite dishes from the roof.
- Remove unrestrained materials from the roof.
- Close and latch exterior doors , windows , and roof hatches.
- Install hurricane shutters/plywood over doors and all Where shutters cannot be installed , tape both sides of the glass to minimize damage from wind-driven rain and flying glass.
- Clean out storm drains, culverts, and catch basins.
- Fill all aboveground and underground tanks with product or water.
- Verify that all fire protection equipment is in service.
- Check/maintain all necessary backup equipment, such as emergency generators and communication systems/devices.
- Fill the fuel tanks of generators, fire pumps, and all company-owned vehicles.
- Conduct a yard inspection for unrestrained materials, specifically:
- Remove loose yard
- Relocate nonessential yard equipment to a safe indoor location (furniture,trash receptacles , portable planters , portable signs, dumpsters , ).
- Relocate yard storage of raw and finished goods indoors or secure.
- Secure yard storage of flammable liquids drums or move them to a safelocation away from important
- Anchor all portable buildings and trailers to the
- Secure scaffolds and cranes. Secure scaffolds to the
- Brace outdoor
- Notify key customers, suppliers, and partners of office/facility closing and contingency plans.
- Make decisions on when to excuse employees so that they have sufficient time to prepare their homes and families.
- Contact and attempt to secure the services of restoration companies to assist in clean-up and recovery efforts
- Customize messages for business’ website, telephone recording, employee internet, etc.
- Encourage employees to reach out if they need assistance and/or support
- Property document the business financials. In the event of a loss subsequently turned into an insurance carrier, adjusters will look toward prior performance in order to establish Business Interruption losses during a period of restoration. Be sure all financial documents are stored away from where they could possible suffer damage.
For those affected, if you have a claim to report always contact your carrier immediately. It’s the fastest way to get claims processed. Insurance carrier claims teams are available 24/7.