Apr 8, 2024
Jul
7
2020
Are you prepared for a hurricane?
June through November is Hurricane Season and with a busier than normal hurricane season expected, it’s important to make sure you are prepared to weather the storm. Hurricanes can have devastating impacts on our communities caused by severe winds, storm surges, flooding and tornados.
Did you know that a storm surge is historically the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States?
The safety of our workforce and the communities in which we live and operate in are our highest value so check out these helpful tips and resources to make sure you and your loved ones are prepared and safe:
Hurricane Preparedness:
- Know your hurricane risk – it’s not just a coastal problem
- Make an emergency plan
- Recognize warnings and alerts
- Gather supplies
- Strengthen your home
- Lastly, know where you need to go if you must evacuate and consider all COVID-19 guidelines to keep you and your families safe
Tornado Preparedness:
- Know your tornado risk
- Know the signs of a tornado
- Recognize warnings and alerts/pay attention to weather reports
- Identify and practice going to safe shelters such as a small, windowless room on the lowest level of a sturdy building or a storm shelter
- Lastly, keep in mind COVID-19 guidelines and protocols
If flooding occurs while you are at work:
- Don't drive home during a flood unless you have to
- Do not walk or drive through flooded areas. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Stay out of low areas at risk for flooding
- Disconnect computers and office phones as instructed
- Stay away from electrical wires and outlets
If flooding occurs while you are at home:
- Fill clean containers or your bathtub with drinking water
- Stay out of low areas at risk for flooding such as basements
- Disconnect electrical appliances and stay away from electrical wires and outlets
- If flooding has not yet begun, shut off electricity
- If safe to do so, turn off basement furnaces and outside gas valves
More information
Here are some more helpful resources that can help you prepare for severe weather.
- Government of Canada flood preparedness and information
- Department of Homeland Security – Ready.gov
- Flood Ready tips on preparing your home
- FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center
