Businesses

Develop a Hurricane Response Plan for Your Business

Appoint a hurricane preparedness/response coordinator, record name, specifics of role, and contact information.

Your plan should include the following elements:

• Name of your hurricane preparedness/response coordinator, with specifics of his/her role, and contact information.
• The name and post of the person(s) who will activate the plan and state what situation will trigger the activation of the plan.
• List of other essential staff and their roles and contact information.
• List of all reporting relationships and who has decision-making authority
• All actions to be taken before, during each phase of storm, and after.
• List of who should be contacted within and outside the organization, including
  • Electrical services
  • Plumbing services
  • A/C services
  • Security services
  • Janitor/building maintenance
  • Insurance companies
• List of vital records - these are paper and electronic documents essential to continue the business, including those records necessary to maintain your legal and financial position and those necessary to preserve the rights/status of your clients and customers.
• Outline steps to be taken to keep vital records safe (including backing up electronic files, packaging, storage off-site or in a 'safe area' within your building).
• List of non-vital records, specialty equipment, vehicles and other assets and steps to be taken to secure these.
• List measures you will take to secure the building (including shuttering, clearing compounds, sand bagging doors, etc.).
• List persons whom staff should contact and locations to which they should report after the All Clear is given and they have attended to their personal needs.
• Ensure staff become familiar with the plan through instruction and periodic drills.
• Keep at least one copy of the plan in the building, readily available in case of disaster.
• Keep another copy outside the building, e.g. at the home of the disaster reaction coordinator or other safe location.
• Ensure insurance is adequate and up-to-date.

Last Updated: 2010-08-15