When a hurricane approaches: How to prepare your business for the storm
Natural hazardsArticleJune 8, 2022
As a hurricane approaches, it’s not too late for businesses to take emergency steps
We encourage all our customers with potential exposure to hurricanes, typhoons and other windstorms, to have a Windstorm Emergency Response Plan. It will help to reduce damage, restore operations and protect lives and you can download detailed advice from the document below.
If you do not have a plan, there are still actions you can take to minimize damage and losses. We have categorized these as ‘easy’ actions, which can be taken without great cost, and ‘tough’ actions that require more time and effort.
Based on an extreme storm’s predicted landfall at your location, take the ‘easy’ actions 48 hours before landfall, and the ‘tough’ actions 36 hours before landfall.
Emergency supply list
All businesses in hurricane zones should maintain a hurricane supply cabinet. Check now to see if any necessities need to be purchased or replenished.
Check in with vendors of any essential business supplies and materials. You may want to ask about the possibility of lining up spare equipment. Those touch points beforehand can speed access to priority service after the storm passes, when demand for all resources will surge.
Emergency lighting
Lumber and nails/screws
Tape for windows
Sandbags
Roofing cement, sealant and other repair materials
Waterproof materials (e.g. tarps)
Caulk/sealant
Duct tape
Power and manual tools
Shovels and axes
Chainsaws and fuel
Nonperishable food and drinking water
Satellite phones (as land telephone lines and cellphone service may be interrupted)
Cellphone with charged spare batteries
Two-way radios with charged spare batteries
Flashlights with spare batteries
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