Hello Rainmakers:
This is Part 2 of my "Hurricane Season is here" series (of 3, so don't get too excited). Watch for Part 3 and my Safety Kit list for homes and businesses.
Safety Tips for Businesses
Many of us still remember the damage Sandy caused and trying to prepare for her winds and storm surge. Most businesses, in fact more than 50% of us, do not survive a fire, water or storm disaster.
So, even with forecasters predicting a mild hurricane season, we still may get thunder and other storms this summer. Preparation is key. NOTE: Last June's microburst flooded homes and businesses all over Westchester.
Here are some tips on how to prepare your business during hurricane season, which runs from June through November.
- First, know if your company is in a hurricane or tropical storm zone. Evacuation zones are coastal areas that are in danger of damage from strong winds and storm surges from a hurricane or tropical storm. Contingency zones are areas that can be affected by high winds. Even if your business in far inland, you may still be located in a contingency zone.
- Understand the terminology of a hurricane. This will help you understand what to expect. A Hurricane Watch means a hurricane is developing and should be monitored. A Hurricane Warning means that the storm has completely developed and will make landfall in 24 hours.
Hurricane / Tropical Storm Alerts
- Tropical Storm Watch: An announcement that tropical-storm conditions are possible within the specified area.
- Hurricane Watch: An announcement that hurricane conditions are possible within the specified area.
Because outside preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force,watches are issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.
Action: During a watch, prepare your home or business and review your plan for evacuation, in case a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning is issued. Listen closely to local officials info.
- Tropical Storm Warning: An announcement that tropical-storm conditions are expected within the specified area.
- Hurricane Warning: An announcement that hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area.
Courtesy: National Weather Service
- Know the elevation of your business to understand your risk of flooding.
- Learn about the condition of the structure in which your business is located. This will help you decide
- If your building can withstand the conditions of a hurricane or tropical storm and if employees can stay safely there during a storm.
- Learn the fastest and safest route to evacuate from your business.
- Have an emergency contact list for all of the employees...set up a phone tree, with teams to call each, and speed up the calls to reach all staff more quickly!
- Always back-up important documents that could get lost during a storm and store vehicle titles and originals in plastic -- in a safety deposit box, preferably!
Have plenty of flashlights, battery powered radios and extra batteries at your business location.
- Have a survival kit ready. Keep a stock of non-perishable food items and a three-day water supply for each employee at your location.
- Consider getting an emergency generator for your business in case you lose power during a storm.
- Assign task teams of employees to get your location ready for an oncoming storm.
- Secure all exhaust fans, wind turbines and air conditioning units to prevent them from causing damage during a storm
- Turn off air conditioners and electrical equipment
HURRICANE SEASON SAFETY TIPS FOR 2014 IN BRONXVILLE NY 10708
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