Prep Your Facility for Hurricane Season

As facility managers on the East Coast focus on cleaning and disinfecting their buildings for the coronavirus, they may not be thinking of preparing their facilities for another hazard—hurricanes.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and weather experts predict the 2020 season may be busier than average. The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration has forecast 13 to 19 named storms, six to 10 of which could be hurricanes. Of those, three to six are projected be considered major hurricanes that have winds of at least 111 mph.

Restoration and remediation experts offer business and homeowners best practices to prepare their structures for hurricanes:

• Know your risks –Learn your area’s flooding risk and community hurricane evacuation routes. Use the U.S.  Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Map Service Center, where you can enter your address to see your flood zone.
• Ensure you have flood insurance – Businesses should add disruption insurance to help cover loss of income after a storm.
• Secure your property – Fasten your roof with straps or clips to reduce damage. Prune trees and shrubs for more wind resistance. Clean and maintain rain gutters and downspouts. Obtain an electric generator to run essential appliances if the power goes out.
• Devise an evacuation plan –Determine a meeting place and routes to get there.
• Create an emergency kit – Store copies of important documents, such as proof of ownership of any property, in your emergency kit. Back up the data on your electronic devices to ensure it is secure if your computer, or other devices, are damaged.

If your facility is struck by a hurricane, make sure you are following efficient and safe protocols during clean-up.