6 Tips for Hurricane Preparedness
With hurricane season in full swing, it’s important to make sure your business is prepared before it’s too late. By taking the proper precautions, you can mitigate damage and downtime should you find yourself in the path of a hurricane.
- Develop a comprehensive emergency plan.
Create a plan that includes evacuation routes, pre and post-storm measures, and communication procedures for alerting employees and customers. Make sure all contact lists associated with your emergency plan are up-to-date. Any secondary office locations or facilities that could be affected by a hurricane should also have a comprehensive emergency plan on file. - Review your insurance policies.
It may seem like a no-brainer, but reviewing your business insurance policies is crucial. Take some time to chat with your agent to ensure your policy covers damages that could result from a hurricane. If flood insurance is not mandatory in your area, consider adding it. - Determine a plan for backup power and fuel.
If your facility has a backup generator on site, perform all necessary maintenance including testing and/or replacing unused fuel that has been stored in the generator for an extended period. Consider purchasing or renting a generator if you do not own one. Develop a plan with your bulk fuel supplier to maintain regular fueling for your generator in the event of a hurricane as well as during recovery efforts. - Protect your facility and assets.
Ensure all essential business records are protected and that any backup technology is working properly. Because emergency supplies tend to move quickly days before landfall, make sure your facility has a stockpile of necessary items such as sandbags and plywood. Clean out drains and catch basins. Test your fire protection equipment and ensure first aid kits are in place. - Establish a plan for your fleet.
If you manage a fleet as part of your business, develop an emergency plan for moving and storing fleet into a secure area during the storm. Establish communication protocols between your dispatcher and drivers as part of the emergency fleet plan. Discuss critical storm safety procedures with all drivers. - Pay attention to forecasts.
Stay up-to-date with local weather reports and hurricane forecasts throughout the duration of the season. Bookmark the National Hurricane Center’s forecast website (nhc.noaa.gov) on your desktop and mobile device.
Breaux Petroleum offers several services including fuel delivery, temporary fuel storage, and pumping equipment to ensure your business is prepared before, during, and after a hurricane. For more information about our hurricane preparedness solutions, click here.
For additional tips and resources on hurricane preparedness, visit the NOAA’s National Hurricane Center and check out the 2020 forecast here.