THE ABC FACT SHEET:
PREPARING FOR A HURRICANE
Build a construction site emergency preparedness plan for your company using many of the same tips:
- Pick up anything that will blow away. Paint cans, ladders, boards, pipe and even concrete blocks. The biggest danger during a hurricane or tornado has been proven to be flying debris. It can destroy a building and kill people. If one person can move it, tie it down, cover it securely or take it indoors.
- Cover glass and unfinished openings, if possible, with plywood.
- Check anchors and tiedowns on scaffolding. If it is not possible to take scaffolding down, remove and store wood planks.
- Consult with your crane company to secure cranes.
- Move all small vehicles to secure areas. Portable toilets must be secured or moved.
- The construction trailers must be secured with tiedowns.
- Survey the site for possible flood zones: valleys or creek beds will fill up fast with rains of 20 or 30 inches. Move equipment or materials out of targeted flood zones.
- Survey electrical or gas exposure to wind or flood damage. Turn off supply, if necessary, prior to site evacuation. Downed wires or broken gas lines cause explosions or fires.
- Review the emergency, mobile or home phone numbers for all contractors or suppliers on site. Share this list with everyone, so damage control can be coordinated following a disaster.
- Survey the site for unfinished applications (e.g., insulation, studs, tile or shingles). Secure it with adequate covering, if possible.
- Survey the site for entrance or egress. If your normal entrance is flooded or blocked by downed trees, have a plan to open up another entrance.
- Consider that your own personnel will be occupied with their personal homes and families when disaster strikes. Do you site preparations early, and be prepared to assist your employees, too, following the storm.
Hurricanes can be dangerous killers. Learning the hurricane warning messages and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage.
FEMA Hurricane Plan
BEFORE
Plan an evacuation route. Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter, and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
Learn safe routes inland. Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place. Have disaster supplies on hand:
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Portable, battery-operated radio and/or television and extra batteries
- First aid kit and manual
- Emergency food and water
- Nonelectric can opener
- Essential medicines
- Cash and credit cards
- Sturdy shoes
- Make arrangements for pets. Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters.
Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane. Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
Protect your windows. Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use ½ inch plywood--marine plywood is best--cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.
Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
Check into flood insurance. You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.
Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
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Hurricane Watches and Warnings
A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.
DURING A HURRICANE WATCH
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports. Check emergency supplies. Fuel car. Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside. Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas. Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly. Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils. Review evacuation plan. Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house.
DURING A HURRICANE WARNING
Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions. If in a mobile home, check tiedowns and evacuate immediately. Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home. Avoid elevators.
If at home:
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AFTER THE HURRICANE STRIKES
- Stay tuned to local radio for information.
- Help injured or trapped persons.
- Give first aid where appropriate.
- Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
- Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so.
- Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police, or fire department.
- Enter your home with caution.
- Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.
- Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
- Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
- Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents and for insurance claims.
- Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Use telephone only for emergency calls.
INSPECTING UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED HOME
Check for gas leaks — If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Look for electrical system damage — If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Check for sewage and water lines damage--If you suspect sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.
MITIGATION
Mitigation includes any activities that prevent an emergency, reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or lessen the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies. Investing in preventive mitigation steps now such as strengthening unreinforced masonry to withstand wind and flooding and installing shutters on every window will help reduce the impact of hurricanes in the future. For more information on mitigation, contact your local emergency management office.
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