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Your Guide to Staying Ahead of the Storm—Hurricanes

4/19/22 - Zoro Staff

If you live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone, it’s important that you’re prepared in case of an emergency. From following an emergency plan to stocking your hurricane preparedness kit, we break it all down here.

When a hurricane is on the horizon, the last thing you want to do is scramble to prepare. Hurricanes are serious natural weather events that can cause devastating loss of life and billions of dollars in material damages. While hurricanes are relatively harmless to people when they occur in the ocean, they can wreak havoc once they hit populated shorelines. 

Hurricanes are characterized by swiftly rotating storm systems that have a low-pressure center and are accompanied by heavy winds, rain, and lightning. A phenomenon called storm surge occurs when water is pushed onto shore during a tropical storm. Storm surge is often the culprit for deaths, injuries, and damaged property. Hurricanes’ accompanying heavy winds, flooding, and rip currents can also cause considerable danger and structural damage. In addition, once hurricanes hit land, tornadoes can form—though they are usually short-lived. 

Read on to learn how to protect yourself, your employees, and your business should you find yourself in a hurricane’s path.

When Is Hurricane Season?

It’s imperative to prepare well in advance of hurricane season. Vital supplies may be in short supply in the days leading up to a hurricane and you want to make sure your home and business are well-prepared to weather the storm. While hurricanes can occur anywhere in the world, in the U.S., hurricane season spans several months, depending on the hurricane zone in which your business is located:

  • Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season: May 15 - November 30
  • Atlantic Hurricane Season: June 1 - November 30
  • Central Pacific Hurricane Season: June 1 - November 30

Know Your Risk for Hurricanes

Is your business located in one of the above zones? If so, being prepared and staying informed are your best defenses against a hurricane. Thankfully modern technology makes it easy to stay in the know. Here are just a few ways to receive weather and safety alerts so you can stay ahead of the storm.

Download the FEMA app. Some features include receiving real-time updates from the National Weather Service, locating disaster relief centers where you can speak to a FEMA representative, safety tips, real-time sharing with loved ones across text messages and social media, and much more.

Make sure to sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages. EAS and WEA message services do not require signing up. 

EAS messages are sent through satellite digital audio services, broadcasters, cable television systems, and wireless cable systems. EAS is the national public warning system. The U.S. President alone decides when national-level messages are disseminated. State and local authorities may also utilize the EAS for various emergency situations. 

WEA messages are short emergency text alerts sent to WEA-enabled devices from authorized federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local entities. 

Carrying Out Your Business’s Emergency Plan

When a hurricane is predicted to hit where your business is located, there are many steps you can take to prevent injuries, loss of life, and protect your assets. Refer to these tips to learn what to do before, during, and after the storm. 

Before: 

  • Make sure your employees know your business’s emergency plan and evacuation routes.
  • Have a communication plan in place for employees. 
  • Make sure all chemicals are stored properly and gas and electrical supplies are shut off.
  • Contact your insurance agent to ensure you're covered for any damages and print out a hard copy of your policy.
  • Make sure you have emergency supplies for employees in case you get trapped.
  • Plug drains to ensure floodwaters don’t back up sewer drains.
  • Postpone deliveries and get an accurate inventory count.
  • Send non-critical employees home.
  • Make sure you have all of your employees’ contact information.

During:

  • Raise your elevators to the second floor and turn them off in case of flooding.
  • Take critical electronics such as phones, hardware, and chargers with you.
  • Unplug all electrical devices before you vacate the premises.
  • Redirect the phone system to a cell phone or update your company’s voicemail.
  • Stay informed via the FEMA app and local news.

After:

  • Avoid any floodwaters. They may be contaminated with oil, chemicals, etc. Downed power lines that could still have an electric charge may also be in the water.
  • Don’t drink tap water until you’re informed that it’s safe by community leaders.
  • Get in contact with employees via your agreed-upon method to relay next steps.
  • Wash and disinfect everything that got wet.
  • Connect with your insurance agent.
  • Avoid areas that were heavily flooded. Roads can become weakened due to flood-water saturation.
  • Do not return to your facility until you are told that it’s safe to do so.

Practicing your facility’s evacuation plan is imperative. Make sure to hold regular training sessions and drills for your staff to take the guesswork out of a real emergency. 

If you don’t know how to start devising your business’s emergency preparedness plan, this Hurricane Toolkit will point the way.

Gather Essential Emergency Supplies

Pre-storm preparation makes a big difference. A hurricane preparedness kit can help you get through several days without access to food and water. This kit doesn’t differ from a general emergency preparedness kit, so make sure you always have these supplies on hand in a water-resistant container, suitcase, or duffel bag. Tailor this list for your home, work, and car kits. Yes—you should have at least three emergency survival kits! If you’re providing kits for your employees, you should have many more.

Emergency Preparedness in the Era of COVID-19

During the coronavirus pandemic, there are additional precautions to be taken in case of an emergency. Make sure your emergency kits have plenty of face masks (N95 respirators are best), hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. Stay informed on the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Planning for a hurricane can save your business from material damages and, most importantly, from injury and loss of life. Start preparing for hurricane season today. Your future self and employees will thank you.

Related articles:
Your Guide to Staying Ahead of the Storm—Floods

Product Compliance and Suitability

The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.