Hurricane and tropical depression hazards come in a variety of forms, including storm surges, high winds, tornadoes and flooding.

The steps you take before the storm are critical.

Having an emergency weather plan in place is imperative to handle the disaster — as well as your recovery.

What should you do before a hurricane strikes?

The most important part of your plan is being prepared. Consider these steps before a hurricane threatens your area:

     1. Prepare your emergency plan.
  • Develop or review your emergency plan, train your staff and run practice drills.
  • Include communication pieces for staff and contact information for your police/fire/gas/electrical providers and insurance carrier.
     2. Create basic life safety tasks.
  • Have evacuation or shelter procedures in place.
  • Train people in first aid, medical procedures, CPR, etc.
     3. Prepare emergency kits.
  • Have first aid and emergency safety kits on hand that are fully stocked with updated materials: non-perishable foods, bottled water, blankets, clothing, flashlights and batteries.
     4. Prepare your building.
  • Inspect your roof to ensure it will withstand hurricane-force winds and rain.
  • Consider adding hurricane clips, gable end bracing, hurricane-proof doors, and hurricane shutters.
  • Store materials such as plywood, screws, caulk, and sandbags to deploy quickly if a hurricane approaches.
  • Inspect your sump pump and replace batteries so you don’t rely on electrical power.
     5. Have a business continuity plan.
  • Establish a business continuity plan to maintain and resume operations during and after the hurricane.
  • Back up important data stored on computers to external hard drives or cloud storage.

What should you do when a hurricane is approaching?

Time becomes a critical factor when you know you’re in the path of a hurricane. Be decisive and heed the warnings of local emergency management officials.

     1.Keep people safe and informed.
  • Your priority in any emergency is to keep people safe.
  • Start activating a phone chain for updates.
     2. Move your valuables and documents to a safe location.
  • Raise items above floor level and or store them in a safe place, dry and up high.
  • Shut down computers and electronics.
     3. Secure your building.
  • Close and secure all doors.
  • Shut off electricity.

What happens once the storm is over?

When the skies clear and all emergency issues are resolved, you enter the recovery stage.

     1. Designate specific individuals to return to the site.
  • Work in teams and assess any damage.
  • Contact utility contractors.
  • Conduct basic repairs as necessary to secure the facility afterwards.
     2. Communicate with all team members to provide a status report.
  • Determine if the damages are severe enough to restrict usage or implement a temporary relocation plan.
  • Coordinate volunteer cleanup efforts.
     3. Follow up with your insurance carrier.
  • Report any damages that occurred to the claims team.
     4. Re-assess your plans.
  • It is critical that you and your team assess how well your safety action plan worked.
  • Are there improvements you could make? Should you consult with industry experts and learn how to better prepare?

The best preparations will help your team be ready for any storm.

FIBERTOWN data centers are built to withstand winds of 135 MPH, have generator backup in case utilities shutdown, and have personnel in our NOC 24/7/365 — even during a hurricane.

We’re always there to help whenever you need.

If you’re looking for disaster recovery office space, call FIBERTOWN today.