Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and requires preparation, vigilance and response for those who live near the eastern and gulf coasts. You should know how to prepare your facilities to minimize damage and promote safety.
Know the Basics
It’s helpful to understand the vocabulary you’ll hear on the radio and television during hurricane season. The International Hurricane Protection Association defines four levels of concern:
- Tropical Disturbance: an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms without a defined circulation.
- Tropical Storm: an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour (mph).
- Hurricane Watch: weather alert indicating hurricane conditions are possible within 36 to 48 hours.
- Hurricane Warning: weather alert indicating hurricane conditions are expected in 24 to 36 hours.
During a hurricane watch, you should begin preliminary preparations to protect life and property. When a hurricane warning is issued, you must complete all hurricane preparations.
General Preparation
Leaders in your organization can take a number of steps to prepare for a hurricane’s arrival. Review the following items and ensure they are completed and prepared:
- Review the surrounding community's emergency plan, including evacuation plans.
- Contact your insurance agent annually to review your coverage in regards to hurricane damage.
- Maintain a written inventory of your organization’s property, including photos/video.
- Store a copy of the written inventory and other vital paper records in a secure, off-site location
- Ensure electronic data is backed up regularly.
- Compile a list of important contact information for staff, organization leaders or volunteers.
- Download a weather alert app on your smartphone, such as:
Window & Door Preparation
All windows should be covered during a hurricane. Install hurricane shutters over windows, keeping in mind the following factors:
- Use a framed cover made of plywood at least ¾ inches thick.
- Consider using a manufactured hurricane shutter is ideal.
- Install additional protection for stained-glass windows.
- Have all covers pre-fit, drilled and properly marked as to where they will be used.
- Have the window cover fastened with screws, washers and anchors.
- Do not tape the windows only.
- Strengthen garage doors.
- Seal all wall openings and vents.
Proper doors provide significant protection for the interior of your buildings. Ensure doors are adequate for protection:
- Doors should be made of solid wood or hollow metal.
- Doors require at least three heavy-duty hinges with a dead bolt security lock.
- Door framing must be securely anchored to the wall structure.
- Double-entry doors need head or foot bolts installed on the inactive door.
Roof Preparation
Regularly review the condition of your building's roof to ensure it's ready to handle hurricanes, heavy rainfall, windy conditions and other storms:
- Ensure roofs are in good repair.
- Ensure shingles are properly secured to the roof, especially along the edge of the roof perimeter.
- Seal all roof openings, such as vents.
- Consider using hurricane straps or clips for greater protection.
Exterior Preparation
As you prepare your facilities, you should pay attention to the exterior spaces as well as your buildings. Remove trees with dead or dying limbs and keep tree branches and bushes trimmed away from the building. Additionally, you should secure anything that can blow away or cause damage, such as:
- Outdoor furniture
- Signage
- Canopies
- Playground equipment
Interior Preparation
If your building will be used as an emergency shelter, it’s crucial that you prepare the building appropriately for the storm to keep those sheltering inside as safe as possible.
If your building will not be used as a shelter, take these additional steps to secure the facilities:
- Secure valuable contents.
- Ensure all openings to rooms have been storm-proofed as much as possible.
- Consider shutting off gas and electrical supply if the building will not be occupied during a hurricane.
Go Bag Preparation
A “Go Bag” is a container stocked with essentials to weather the storm that are easy to carry and accessible in an emergency situation. Ideally, you’ll want enough supplies to last each person three days.
If your organization will be sheltering a larger group, make sure you have enough supplies to handle the group. You may consider stocking some items for comfort, such as reading material or toys for young children.
During & After the Storm
Proper preparation will help facilitate a more comfortable waiting period while the storm passes. Keep these items in mind during the storm and immediately after the weather subsides:
- Stay tuned to location newscast or a NOAA weather radio.
- Evacuate if authorities tell you to do so.
- Do not venture out into the storm until local authorities advise it’s safe to do so.
- Return to the facility only when you have been advised that it’s safe to return.
- Do not drive through standing water.
- Watch out for downed tree limbs, branches power lines and debris in the roadway.
- See our Storm Cleanup Guide for further information on inspecting the facilities and reporting a claim to your insurance company.
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