Activate your hurricane emergency response plan

The threat is clear. The National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center and local forecasters are reporting that a named storm is headed for landfall in your area — and your business is in its path. You have a robust Emergency Response Plan developed in anticipation of just such an event. With approximately 12 hours before landfall, it is time to fully implement your plan and prepare for what is about to happen, so your people, property and business will weather the challenge and emerge resilient on the other side.

Within 12 hours of landfall

Implement your Emergency Response Team (ERT)

Give the word to your ERT members to evacuate to pre-defined secure areas on your premises — such as your emergency command center — for the duration of the event. In addition, continuously monitor radio, television and internet reports, and any available local warning service to stay current on the developing crisis.

Inspect your infrastructure and building

Inspect your building and property for weak points and for any objects or equipment that might become wind-driven projectiles. Realize also that you are likely to lose local infrastructure — electrical power, municipal water and other services — for several days following the storm.

Note that paved or hardscape areas may be undermined by storm surges. And verify the status of protection systems, such as water supplies, sprinkler systems, fire alarms and security systems.

Immediately after the storm

Secure site in preparation for employees’ returns

Immediately after the storm, survey your site for any hazards, such as electrical wires, broken glass and sharp metal, leading fuel tanks or other hazards. When returning to inspect your site, bring identification, necessary supplies and take pictures to document conditions. Communicate with local authorities to verify that roads are clear and there are no threats of landslides, local surface runoff, and other hazardous conditions.

Do not turn on electrical system until you have verified that all water leakage has been discovered and corrected. And have qualified personnel thoroughly check all utility systems, including roof-mounted equipment, photovoltaic systems and hazardous processes.

Execute emergency repairs

Initiate emergency repairs immediately, promptly notifying contractors with whom you have relationships so that you will not have to wait in line. And establish repair priorities, emphasizing your building envelope, utilities and fire protection systems.

Focus on any impairments of protection systems, and post fire watches in areas where protection systems may be impaired. Also, post security people in areas where building and site access is not suitably controlled.

Begin salvage operations as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the building and contents. Be careful to avoid accumulations of combustible materials inside the building. Avoid storage of materials and equipment in areas where protection is impaired or which have been contaminated by sewage, fuel leakage and other contaminants.

Clear roof drains, balcony drains, and ground-level catch basins and drains in anticipation of future rain events. But do not access the roof until it has been certified safe. Initiate a detailed inspection of the entire building envelope by qualified personnel.

Administration and claims reporting

Maintain communications with your corporate management and your insurance broker. Contact your insurance carrier to report your claim and to report any fire protection impairments that may require expedited repairs.

All these actions should be part of a fully developed hurricane Emergency Response Plan (ERP), from preparation through recovery.