Hurricane season is just around the corner, starting June 1st through November 30th. The outlook for 2024? On December 11, 2023, Tropical Storm Risk (TSR)—a leading resource for predicting and mapping tropical storm activity worldwide—predicted an above-average season with 20 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes for 2024.
Did you know that each year, the National Weather Service designates a National Hurricane Preparedness Week to kick off risk mitigation efforts? This year, National Hurricane Preparedness Week is from May 5th through the 11th. That’s the time you should start taking proactive measures to help reduce the risks, effects and damage of a hurricane to your business.
Before a hurricane hits—what to do.
What steps can your business take before a storm to help keep it free from harm? The Hanover Insurance Group®, Travelers Insurance and the National Hurricane Survival Initiative offer the following tips:
People/Employees
- Make sure you have a current emergency plan in place—and close to hand.
- Meet with all essential employees to ensure sure they understand their role and the plan.
- Designate important contacts to save that are crucial to business operations, such as employees, banks, lawyers, accountants, suppliers, etc.
- Update your emergency contact list.
- Life safety issues: 911
- Small Business Administration (SBA): 1-800-359-2227
- FEMA Tele-registration hotline: 1-800-462-9029
- Insurance company and agent’s contact information
- Update and post evacuation routes for employees.
- Contact all vendors/contractors to go over your post-storm expectations of services.
- Communicate business continuity expectations to all employees and ensure they have an appropriate contact list.
Property/Infrastructure
- Make sure all hurricane shutters are accessible and usable.
- Verify that fire protection equipment is operational.
- Test all emergency generators, vehicles and other equipment, and ensure there is enough additional fuel available.
- Clean out floor drains and catch basins, and check drainage pumps.
- Move vehicles and mobile equipment to a safe location.
- Anchor and fill above-ground tanks to capacity with product or water to help keep them secure during the storm.
- Shut down production processes safely and turn off power to non-critical equipment.
- Shut off all flammable liquid, combustible liquid and gas lines in case a pipe breaks during the storm.
Documents
- Protect important documents and information.
- Back-up documents that are not easily produced such as insurance documents, legal contracts, tax returns, and accounting statements to avoid water damage.
- Seal these documents in waterproof containers onsite.
- Save all your designated contacts and documents in an alternate, accessible off-site location.
What’s in your emergency kit—your lifeline?
It’s crucial that you have an emergency kit stocked with the following items in one location at your place of business. This can help protect everyone and everything if a storm hits with—or without—notice:
- Battery-operated radio or television
- Non-perishable, three-day food supply for you and your employees
- Three-day supply of water for you and your employees (one gallon of water per person, per day)
- Coolers and containers for water and washing
- Blankets, pillows, cots and chairs
- First Aid Kit and First Aid manual
- Flashlights, batteries, light-sticks
- Tool kit (basic tools, gloves, etc.)
- Camera and film for documenting damages
- Whistle/signal flare to signal for help
- Tarps, plastic bags, duct tape
- Cleaning supplies, including mops, towels and garbage cans
- Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers
- Cash, ATM cards, credit cards proper identification
“It’s important that businesses—and residents—have a plan and emergency kit firmly in place to help protect their property and family in the event of a storm,” says Joe Spause, President of Danella Companies, an industry leader in the utility, transit and railroad industries, as well as storm restoration and equipment rentals. “However, when a storm does hit, you can count on Danella to assist with all phases of restoration, around the clock. We take great pride in helping to get our neighbors back on their feet, quickly.” Learn more about Danella Storm Restoration services.