Preparation is Key: How to Make Sure Your Office is Hurricane Ready

PREPARATION IS KEY How to Make Sure Your Office Is Hurricane Ready The National Weather Service rates hurricanes by their intensity, using a scale of 1 to 5: CATEGORY WINDS STORM SURGE 74-95 mph , 4-5 ft. above normal tide CATEGORY WINDS 96-110 mph STORM SURGE 9-12 ft. above normal tide CATEGORY WINDS STORM SURGE 3. 111-130 mph , 9-12 ft. above normal tide CATEGORY WINDS STORM SURGE 131 -155 mph , 13-18 ft. above normal tide STORM SURGE greater than 18 ft. above normal tide CATEGORY WINDS above 155 mph A Hurricane Watch signifies conditions are possible within the next 48 hours. A Hurricane Warning signifies conditions are expected within 35 hours. WHAT TO DO BEFORE A HURRICANE Know your evacuation route Contact your local emergency management office for specific evacuation routes. Get an estimate of travel times on those routes and potential problem areas. Prepare employees Determine who will be responsible for hurricane preparations. Regularly update employee phone numbers and make sure each department head has a copy. Develop a plan Outline specific tasks to protect your property and employees. Designate how tasks will be accomplished and who will perform them. Put a written and electronic plan in place. SBA Incorporate hurricane training into new staff onboarding and hold refresher sessions throughout the year. Visit SBA.gov and FEMA.gov for sample emergency plans. Then tailor the plan to your specific building and company. Protect documents and information Lock hard copies of important documents in a filing cabinet. Digitally back up contacts, legal contracts, tax returns, accounting statements, insurance documents, etc. Compile a disaster supply kit Battery-operated radio(s) 3-day food supply with canned and other non-perishable foods Spare batteries Flashlights Signal flare Manual can opener Eating utensils Tool kit Water (one gallon per person per day) Fire protection equipment Personal hygiene items Duct tape First aid kit Plastic bags Tarps Blankets Cleaning supplies Gloves Stock up on building protection supplies before hurricane season, when items sell quickly and may be out of stock. These include: Ropes and chains To tie down outside furnishings and equipment that can't be moved 2X4s Plywood (5/8 inch thick) Precut to the exact size to To brace doors protect your windows Heavy duty plastic sheeting To cover and protect equipment in the event of roof damage or leaks Sandbags To prevent the intrusion of water through doorways Toolbox Stocked with heavy-duty nails, a hammer, and other tools to secure boards to windows WHAT TO DO DURING A HURRICANE WATCH OR WARNING Each employee should take on his or her designated role(s) including: Monitor newscasts for more information. Make sure all important documents are up to date and backed up. Check that your disaster supply kit is stocked. Anchor large furniture. Relocate valuable items. Remove any branches or trees that could potentially damage the building. Sandbag areas subject to flooding, such as doorways. If you don't have storm shutters, protect windows from wind-borne debris with plywood. French doors, inward opening double doors, and garage doors are most vulnerable. Brace doors with 2X4s (or larger). Fill vehicle fuel tanks and source fuel for an emergency generator (if you have one). Secure utilities including water heaters, gas tanks, heaters, air conditioning units, and exhaust fans. If necessary, raise them to higher locations to avoid water damage. Turn off all utilities. Ensure all employees leave the building before evacuation routes are impassable. If your building is not in an evacuation area and you choose not to leave, take shelter in interior rooms and corridors. In multi-story buildings, shelter people on the lower floors and avoid corner rooms and areas near exterior windows and glass doors. WHAT TO DO AFTER A HURRICANE HITS TO Photograph property damage to help when filing an insurance claim. Report damage to your insurance company. If your building is uninhabitable, paint insurer's name and point of contact info on a wall or large board. Listen to local officials for Check in with family and friends. updates and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it's safe. " Fast-moving water can render vehicles undrivable. ' Floodwater may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris. If possible, prevent further damage to your property. 1 Insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm. Contact local building inspection officials to determine permit Maintain accurate records of all repairs. requirements and rebuilding guidelines. Having a hurricane preparedness plan for your company is a vital tool to keep your employees and property safe. harriscountycitizencorps.com ready.gov sba.gov hurricanesafety.org fema.gov Designed by: Ghergich & Co. Brought to you by: Quill.com Asmal partof your job is 100% of ours. :::::::: ::::::::::