When a hurricane watch is issued
A hurricane watch is issued 36 hours before a hurricane may become a threat. Once a watch is issued, take
actions such as:
• Check building roofs. Make repairs to coverings and flashing as needed.
• Remove loose equipment and debris from roofs.
• Verify roof drains are clear of obstructions.
• Fill fuel tanks serving emergency generators and other vital services.
• Verify dewatering pumps are in-service and working.
• Verify outside drains and catch basins are clean.
• Remove debris from outdoor areas.
• Remove loose, outdoor, inactive equipment.
• Back-up computer data.
• Ship out as much stock as possible.
• Verify all stock is skidded at least 4 inches above the floor.
• Review construction projects. Remove loose equipment and temporarily brace new construction.
When a hurricane warning is issued
A hurricane warning is issued 24 hours before a hurricane may become a threat. Once a warning is issued, take
actions such as:
• Protect or relocate vital business records.
• Remove all loose outdoor storage or equipment.
• Anchor portable buildings or trailers to the ground.
• Secure outdoor storage or equipment that cannot be moved.
• Begin installation of manual protection systems (e.g. shutters, plywood covers and flood gates).
• Raise critical equipment off floors (e.g. PC towers).
• Move critical equipment from below grade areas.
• Cover critical stock and equipment with waterproof tarpaulins.
• Initiate an orderly shutdown of production equipment and systems that rely upon normal power.
• Turn off fuel gas services.
• Turn off non-essential electrical systems.
• Verify all fire protection systems are in service (e.g. water supplies, fire pumps, sprinklers, fire alarms and
special extinguishing systems).