Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz (D-TX)

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

FOR SOUTH TEXANS

As the hurricane season begins, I would like to take this opportunity to provide some important information for you to consider when making plans to prepare in the event that a hurricane comes towards the Gulf Coast again. The National Ocean and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) predicts as many as 16 named storms and four to six “major” hurricanes. With this in mind, it is critical to make preparations and take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of you and your family or loved ones.

Although I have tried to compile a comprehensive list, it is not exhaustive. Please feel free to add preparations as you see fit and include them in your plans.

· Get Ready for Hurricane Season

· If a Hurricane is Coming

· If Ordered to Evacuate

· If Unable to Evacuate

· After the Storm

· Special Provisions for Businesses

· Other links

Get Ready for Hurricane Season

These are procedures and precautions to take now, well in advance of a hurricane, in order to be fully prepared.

Evacuation Kit—Be sure to include the following items in your kit:

o Flashlight, portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries

o First-aid kit

o Emergency, non-perishable food and water enough for at least three days for entire family (including a non-electric can opener)

o Medicines or supplies for people in your family with special needs such as infants, the elderly or people with physical limitations.

o Additional cash, including quarters, and credit cards

o Out of town/state maps

o Sturdy shoes and clothing

o Sleeping bags or blankets

o Copies of important papers (medical information/records, bank statements, insurance records, deeds, photo identification, birth certificates, Social Security cards, etc.)

o Contact list: out-of-town family and/or friends, your personal doctors, insurance company (all family members should have a copy of this list)

o Personal hygiene materials

Know the location of your fire extinguishers

For protection of windows, permanent storm shutters are the best option or you may purchase and store 5/8” marine plywood cut to fit and ready to install on your windows

Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure (this will reduce roof damage)

Map out an evacuation route as well as alternate routes and discuss the plans with family members in advance

Coordinate with your out-of-town contacts and discuss your plan with them

If A Hurricane Is Approaching

Watch and listen to information provided by television and radio news Be sure to know where the hurricane may land and if you are in immediate danger

Find out from local officials the locations of designated wind shelters

Fill up your vehicle with fuel in case you are ordered to evacuate

Close, lock, and board up all your windows with your storm shutters or plywood

Clear yard of any lawn furniture or other objects that could fly away

Drain any in-ground pools to prepare for flooding; chlorinate to avoid contamination; disconnect electrical pumps

Turn off all utilities (water, gas, electricity, propane tanks)

Place valuable and remaining personal papers in waterproof containers

Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors

Stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors

If Ordered To Evacuate

Continue to listen to news channels for current weather and evacuation information

Follow instructions provided by local officials

Gather your evacuation kit, communication devices, and chargers for electronic devices such as cell phones

Execute your plan

Get in touch with out of town contacts to inform them of your travel plans

If you do not have transportation, find a bus out of town immediately. Do no wait until the last minute

If Unable To Evacuate

Stay indoors and away from windows or glass doors during the hurricane; hurricanes generally last 8-12 hours

Use the battery operated radio to listen to current information

Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level near the center of your home

Designate a safe room containing extra batteries, food, water, blankets, pillows, and your prepared evacuation kit

Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm and the winds will pick up again

Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object

After The Storm

Avoid driving; if you evacuated as instructed, wait for instructions to return (dates/routes, etc.) since authorities will need 24-48 hours to re-supply gas stations/stores and restaurants along the routes back

Locate the fire extinguisher in your home before attempting to turn the power back on

Do not dial 911 unless it is a life threatening emergency

Do not report individual utility problems as the utility companies are already working to restore services as quickly as possible

Do not drink tap water until you hear from officials that it is safe

Assess/photograph basic damages at work site including roof, water damage and broken windows

Special Provisions for Businesses

Along with the procedures previously mentioned, businesses should incorporate these additional measures to ensure proper hurricane preparation.

Check with your insurance agent or a risk management office to determine if the business is in a designated FEMA flood zone. Is your business vulnerable to hurricane force winds? Make sure to have your building inspected by a licensed professional.

Develop a written plan and checklist you can follow for preparation, including the following major areas:

• The protection of the business site and equipment

• Staffing policy identifying any employees that must remain at the facility during the hurricane and when employees should return after evacuations

• Protect vital records (accounts receivable, tax records, and other personnel and administrative documents)

• Review insurance policies to ensure that there is adequate coverage. Questions to ask include:
  · Does the insurance package include wind/storm coverage?
  · Is the facility in a flood zone? Is your flood insurance adequate?
  · Does insurance cover damage to contents, including vital records and office equipment?
  · Does the package include liability coverage for injury to employees as well as lawsuits from customers?
  · Do you have coverage if the business is damaged 50% greater than market value and you must comply with current building codes, including elevation of the structure?

• Have your business appraised at least every five years.

Pre-Season Preparedness

• Compile an Emergency Contact List with 24-hour telephone contact numbers for essential employees

• Identify vital records and make back-up copies and/or digitize them. Consider moving them off-site, if the business is in a storm surge vulnerable area
• Inventory and repair hurricane shutters
• Check security and flood lighting
• Identify lightweight items stored outside that may be blown around in the wind
• Identify emergency power requirements and buy generator if needed. Test generator monthly during the hurricane season
• Verify that communications equipment is operational
• Determine the type and amount of hurricane emergency supplies necessary. All emergency supplies should be clearly marked and stored in a secure area that is accessible in an emergency
• Provide employees with hurricane preparedness information
• Prepare a list of vendors critical to your daily operations and their telephone numbers. Consider including a back-up vendor outside the area

Prepare a list of vendors who can assist in the recovery of your business such as: recovery of water-soaked papers, debris removal, moving companies, warehouse space, computer hot-site, generator rental etc.

Along with the procedures previously mentioned in the beginning section, businesses should incorporate these additional measures to ensure proper hurricane preparation.Hurricane Watch (36-48 hours prior to landfall)

• Verify that vital records are in a safe storage area. Files, records, and storage cabinets may be wrapped in plastic for moisture protection. If necessary, temporarily relocate records to a safe storage facility off-site
• Confirm availability of necessary computer support
• Inventory hurricane emergency supplies and restock if necessary
• Dismiss essential employees temporarily so they can secure their personal property before returning to duty

Hurricane Warning and/or Evacuation Order (18-24 hours before landfall)

• If the business is located in a designated evacuation area, cease operations and secure the facility
• Move desks, files, equipment and furniture away from un-shuttered windows. Wrap office equipment, such as copy machine and computers, in plastic to protect against water damage
• Dismiss all non-essential personnel and personnel living in designated evacuation areas
• Turn off air conditioners, disconnect electrical equipment, and turn off lights

After The Storm

• Initiate clean up of work site, document damages, and contact your insurance agent
• Contact the local Small Business Administration office for information on low-interest disaster relief loans
• Do not turn on computer equipment if there are indications of low voltage power fluctuations, low air conditioning output, water under raised floor, broken windows or damaged equipment
• Employees return to work according to staffing schedule

Other links