Thread: Need Hurricane Preparedness Advice

ok gang, it looks so far like we are in the crosshairs of Hurricane Irene, which is predicted to be here this weekend at a Cat 3.

We are making up a checklist to get ready, just in case.

We would welcome suggestions on how to get the facility "ready" for a major hurricane (as the Weather channel calls it).

We are 4 miles from the ocean.

Hey, Lisa.
1. Board up if you can.
2. Pick up and put away anything that can blow around. Trash cans, flower pots, ash trays, small kids. Anything that can blow, will blow.
3. Make sure that all roll-up doors are closed and latched.
4. When you start getting serious affects from the storm, close and lock all swing doors.
5. If you leave the facility, do not leave cash, etc on the facility.
6. If you can, either take the tenant files with you, or, do everything you can to safeguard them.
7. Gate. There are, obviously, two schools of thought on gates. soem would prefer that they are closed and chained shut. Some to have them open. Security is better is them closed and chained. Disadvantage is access if you loose power.
8. Print a tenant list, including phone numbers for contact after the storm.

I am sure that there are more things to consider, and I will add more as they come to mind, but, this is a good start.

Good luck,

Our gate is one of those big ones that goes up in the air like a guillotine....best not to have it open and standing straight up in the air. In Florida we had a slide gate, which we kept open in extreme wind, because the wind would blow it off the track.

We have started a list, just in case. We are debating what to do about the outside cameras...we have expensive infra-red cameras, and even though they have surge protectors, they seem to attract lightning, and I'm not sure how well they would do in hurricane-force winds....what do you think? leave 'em out there or bring them in?

Bring the cameras in Lisa. Like astro said, safeguard all possible now while you can do so safely for you and your staff. If possible, take your hard drive and put it in a bank vault or at least a full and complete backup of your data. You can replace a computer, but the information on it is what is valuable. Also, take whatever precautions you can to secure the 'paperwork' which is hard to do.

Best wishes Lisa, I hope you don't suffer any impact but this one is looking serious.

All suggestions so far are good ones but in my opinion just latching doors is not good enough. The wind can blow the latches open. You want to either zip tie the latches or put locks in all vacant units.
I'd take photos of everything I could also just to prove you did all that could be done.
I'd take all the original records and the computer(s) with me also since as of this moment IRENE is scheduled to hit at 115mph.

[sand bag the doors and cross tape the glass.

P.S. Lisa, don't forget to do the same things at your home! If I remember right, you're off-site. Good luck my dear, and just remember, personal safety of people above all else!

Lisa, four miles from the beach, Category 4, call Elaine and meet her at our house in Statesville, N.C. Do all the other things in what time you have before it gets bad, but don't put your safety at risk. Remember, Katrina was only one cat. up Good luck if you decide to stay, call me if you need a rescue, have big truck, will travel.

http://72hours.org/go_bag.html

Some things in the "go bag" list above I've never seriously thought about. Like photos of family members in case you're separated or missing... just some more food for thought. And again, BE SAFE!!


Survival Kits
DIY Emergency kit list

Lisa
Just wanted to let you guys know that I hope everything will be OK.

In the event of a real hit, you may want to have the names and numbers of folks who are willing to serve as security guards. Only verifiable customers are allowed on the site if you have real damage. There is actually more liability letting people dig through their stuff then the potential law suite due to the storm.

Be safe - your safety first. Everything else is insured.

Please post as soon as you can or text message one of us to let us know you are OK and we can post to SSTalk.

MisterJim444

PS First earthquake for me today.