Hurricane Tracking Blog

Pre-Season Preparedness:

• Make plans for protection of plant and equipment.
• Identify essential employees or safety wardens on each floor.
• Develop procedure and policies fro pre-season, hurricane watch, hurricane warning.
• Identify and protect vital records.
• Review insurance policies.
• Determine types and amount of emergency supplies needed: battery-operated radio, one flashlight per person, extra batteries, first-aid kit, emergency tool kit, stocks of food and water supplies.
• Compile an emergency contact list.
• Identify and back-up vital records.
• Prepare and check facilities.
• Stock up on emergency supplies.
• Provide staff with hurricane preparedness information.

During a Hurricane Watch

• Secure all doors, windows and other openings against wind and water. Tie down or bring indoors any object which may be blown about by the hurricane. Cover windows with shutters or board.
• If a room is to be occupied during the hurricane, it must be properly secured with ply board or hurricane shutters.
• Verify that vital records are in a safe storage area.
• Files, records and storage cabinets may be wrapped in plastic to protect against moisture and raised off the floor. If necessary, relocate records to a safe storage facility off site, temporarily.
• Ensure all vehicles are serviced and fuelled. Determine where they can be parked safely to whether the storm.
• Confirm availability of computer support.
• An inventory of hurricane supplies should be done and restocking, if necessary.
• Assign responsibility for tracking the hurricane.
• Send home essential employees temporarily so that they can secure their personal property before returning to duty.

During a Hurricane Warning

• Remove hanging objects from walls.
• Take down outdoor objects – antennas and satellite dishes.
• Listen to the radio.
• Move equipment and furniture away from windows.
• Wrap office equipment in plastic and secure them properly, especially for areas prone to flooding.
• Turn off lights and disconnect electrical equipment.
• After workstations have been prepared; send staff home to finalize their preparations.