Surviving a Hurricane-Taking Appropriate Action

Chancey McMorris BTT Safety Specialist

Before a Hurricane This phase should be ongoing throughout the year. Full preparation is the key to

minimizing loss of life and property, and to ensuring speedy resumption of business. All Departments have tasks - but leadership is given by the General

Manager, and the Emergency Coordinating Committee. During this stage, attention should be given to:

Creation of the Emergency Coordinating Committee Vulnerability Assessment, including maintenance and retrofitting requirements Emergency supplies Mutual aid agreements Guest Information Packets Committee liaison policy Vital records protection Guest security protection Obtaining up-to-date weather information Training of staff Media Communications requirements* Insurance Coverage**

Hurricane Characteristics SEASON: Commences June 1 and ends November 30, but storms may

occur at other times of the year. SPEED: Speed of advance of approximately 20-25km/hr (12-15 Knots). COURSE: Normally moves from East/Southeast towards West/Northwest

and Northwest during initial stages but curves towards the North as it progresses (in the Northern Hemisphere).

WIND SPEED: Wind speeds generally in excess of 135 km/hr (75 Knots) but may gust up to 315 km/hr (175 Knots) (GILBERT Sept. 1988).

SURGE: Storm Surge may be experienced if hurricane passes close offshore 3-10m (10-33 feet) and conditions are conducive.

WIDTH: Width of destruction 170-250 km (106-155 miles). RAINFALL: Up to 450 mm (18 in) in the first two (2) hours. LULL: A deceptive lull lasting approximately 30 minutes occurs when the

center (the EYE) of the hurricane passes. Wind speed resumes intensity and quickly, immediately after the eye passes.

EYE: Is the center of the hurricane where there are no winds and where barometric pressure is very low.

Hurricane CharacteristicsThe Northeast typically gets residual effects from hurricanes as the storms either go further out into the ocean or lose momentum in the cooler waters in the North Atlantic.

Never rely on patterns that storms fall in year after year, because each season is unique and it is not entirely predictable where the path of a hurricane will end.

Hurricane Effects Wind damage - This is potentially one of the most destructive aspects of the

hurricane. It can result in loss of roofs, windows, doors and vegetation. Collapse of buildings Damage by fallen trees - Disruption of electricity and telephone facilities,

damage to buildings and blocking of roads. Flying debris - Zinc sheets, tree limbs, timber, roofing materials, fruits etc.

can cause further damage to other structures. Rain Damage - Otherwise sturdy trees and light poles may collapse earlier

than expected due to water saturation around their bases. Leaking roofs, from torrential downpour can saturate walls and destroy contents of buildings and cause the destruction of structures.

Flood Damage - Disruption of surface communications. For example, roads, flooded or washed away; landslides; bridges destroyed; railway lines flooded or washed away; contamination of drinking water supplies.

Storm Surge - Heavy seas, storm waves and storm surge can cause extensive damage and completely destroy structures and coastal features. The direction of approach of the hurricane and the physical form of the coastal area will influence the potential destructive force of the waves.

Beauford Wind Scale

MPH  Description - Visible Condition  0  Calm smoke rises vertically  1 - 4  Light air direction of wind shown by smoke but not by wind vanes  4 - 7  Light breeze - wind felt on face; leaves rustle; ordinary wind vane moved by wind  8 - 12  Gentle breeze- leaves and small twigs in constant motion; wind extends light flag  13 - 18  Moderate breeze -raises dust and loose paper; small branches are moved  19 - 24  Fresh breeze -small trees in leaf begin to sway; crested wavelets form on inland

water  25 - 31  Strong breeze- large branches in motion; telephone wires whistle; umbrellas

used with difficulty  32 - 38  Moderate gale -whole trees in motion; inconvenience in walking against wind  39 - 46  Fresh gale- breaks twigs off trees; generally impedes progress  47 - 54  Strong gale- slight structural damage occurs; chimney pots and slates removed  55 - 63  Whole gale -trees uprooted; considerable structural damage occurs  64 - 72  Storm -very rarely experienced; accompanied by widespread damage  73+  Hurricane devastation occurs 

Hurricane Categories Category 1 Winds 119-152 km (74-95 mph) or storm surge 1

-1 1/2 m (4-5 ft) above normal. Category 2 Winds 154-177 km (96-110 mph) or storm surge

1 1/2 -2 1/2m (6-8 ft) above normal. Category 3 Winds 178-209 km (111-130 mph) or storm

surge 2 1/2-3 1/2m (9-12 ft) above normal. Category 4 Winds greater than 249 km (155 mph) or storm

surge greater than 51/2 (18 ft) above normal.

Hurricane Warning System Phase A HURRICANE ALERT - Hurricane entering the region. Phase B HURRICANE WATCH - 36 hours to landfall. Phase C HURRICANE WARNING - 24 hours to landfall. Phase D EMERGENCY PHASE - Strike.

Hurricane Alert StepsCleaning Clean all drains and remove debris on roofs/ drainage ditches Clear or prepare rooms appropriate for storage of pool furniture Recommendations: Alert staff and brief them on developments. Delegate and assign specific tasks, and define objectives in terms

of time.TASKS Storage : Store pool chemicals Clean out all floor drains Prepare plywood and plastic sheeting to cover transformers in the

event of leaks.

Hurricane Alert StepsEmergency Supplies Inventory existing emergency supplies and detail requests for

additional supplies as necessary. Standby Generators Service plant and emergency generators. Replenish diesel fuel Service all cables and oil filters. Test generator to check output reliability. Provide rain/wind protection around plant. Transport Vehicles Check operating condition and service all transport vehicles. Fill vehicles with fuel

Hurricane Watch StepsGrounds Trim limbs from large trees or those near buildings. Remove fruit from trees. Clear drains -- including roofs. Water Tanks Fill water tanks with emergency water supplies.Emergency Equipment Service and test emergency power generators under load, prior to

emergency use. Check conditions of emergency equipment to ensure it is

operable. Secure emergency lighting supplies for kitchen, if generator not

available. Remove and store wind breaks from fences. Flooding Fill sandbags to protect areas from flooding, where appropriate.

Hurricane Warning StepsAir Conditioning Operate air conditioning/boilers until power fails.Shutters Install plywood or storm shutters to areas of glass or deemed most

vulnerable to breakage. Drains (12 Hours) Ensure final check of drains cleared, including roof drains. Swimming Pool (As necessary) Lower water in pool by 2-3 feet. If flooding begins in critical areas, use pumps to discharge storm water. Satellite Dishes, Flags, Sign Boards, etc. (6-12 hours) Dismantle satellite dishes, antennas, umbrellas, flags, sign boards, etc. Pool Furniture (6 hours) Store pool furniture not stored in pool. Secure those that need be, with

rope.

Hurricane Warning StepsOther Preparations

Tie down all other equipment which needs to be secured. Have adequate supply of memory cards for digital photographs

24 hours Remove all patio furniture and pots and place in rooms. Begin to secure rugs (roll up) drapes or remove and store in

secure position in unoccupied guest rooms. 18 hours

Ensure that emergency lighting is available in all designated safe rooms.

All television sets (alarm clocks, radios etc.) should be secured in garbage bags, taped/stored in cupboards starting with unoccupied rooms.

Guests should be provided with large garbage bags to wrap suitcases.

Hurricane Warning Steps8 Hours

Finish securing all room furniture, draperies, etc. Close all shutters securely in rooms (if your home has them). Close all doors in unoccupied rooms. Place all small damageable items in rooms not occupied, in

closets, e.g. lamps, bed linen, etc.

6 Hours Ensure all tubs are filled in guest rooms with water for guest use

(Use ice coolers). Use old sheeting to stuff windows and under doors to prevent rain

from soaking (assisted by ground staff).

Get a Kit Checklist  Are you Prepared? Check off the items that you already have, then

print off the checklist to take with you as you track down the items you still need. Use the list the next time you go to the store

to remind you which items you need to be fully prepared.

Recommended Prepared ChecklistWater. Have at least one gallon per person per day. Use bleach or water tablets to purify tap water if contaminated. Food. Pack at least a three day supply of non-perishable, high-protein items, or cooking and little or no water.  including energy bars, ready-to-eat soup, peanut butter, etc. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation Flashlight. Hand crank and alternative energy options are available. Include extra batteries, if applicable. First aid kit. Include a first aid reference guide. Medications. Don't forget prescription and non-prescription items.  Radio. A NOAA Weather radio is best. Include extra batteries or use a hand-crank radio. Tools. Gather a wrench to turn off gas (if necessary), a manual can opener, screwdriver, hammer, pliers, knife, duct tape, plastic sheeting, garbage bags and ties. Clothing. Provide a change of clothes for everyone, including sturdy shoes, socks and gloves.

Personal items. Remember copies of important papers (including identification cards, insurance policies, birth certificates, passports, etc.), eyeglasses, contact lenses and solution, and comfort items like toys and books, if pertinent. Sanitary supplies. You may need toilet paper, towelettes, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, bleach, etc.  Money. Have cash on hand. Remember ATMs and credit cards won't work if the power is out.

Contact information. Carry a current list of family phone numbers and e-mail addresses, including someone out of the area who may be easier to reach if local phone lines are out of service or overloaded. Pet supplies. For each pet, include food, water, a collar, a leash / cage / carrying case, litter box or plastic bags, tags, any medications and vaccination information.  Map. Consider marking an evacuation route on your map that directs you out of your area.

Kit for Disabled and Special Needs Checklist

•Prescription medicines, list of medications including dosage, list of any allergies.  •Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries.  •Diapers for babies and the elderly•Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen.  •Medical insurance and Medicare cards. •List of doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt. 

 

Damage Assessment Consult Priority Repairs Needs Report, developed by the initial

inspection team immediately following the event Photograph damage Survey property on basis of priority identified. Insurance under-

writer to accompany team/or retained quantity surveyor. Itemize structural and non-structural damage. Itemize damage to specific building equipment. Itemize damage to utilities and communications system. Identify need for contracted services. Identify labor and material needs for damage repair. Estimate repair costs. Summarize damage survey with estimated repair cost. Develop recovery schedule. Request advice on redesign or modification of vulnerable

elements.

Recovery and Restoration Review and assessment resources to assist in clean-up and

salvage operations and detailed damage assessment. General Manager and Emergency Coordinating Team

Deploy staff available into teams with responsibility for Damage Assessments (use Damage Assessment Report Form) and

Clean-up /Salvage General Manager and Emergency Coordinating Team Assess shortfalls in returning to normal operations. General

Manager and Emergency Coordinating Team Assess and negotiate for joint use, lending, borrowing, and

sharing of facilities, equipment, and personnel services. General Manager and Emergency Coordinating Team

Business Restoration Activate plan for temporary front office, in the event of damage. Ensure that key personnel (or back-up staff) report to headquarters,

provide assistance where necessary Provide transportation for movement of key personnel and supplies. Implement recovery plan for business operations, revising marketing

strategy as opportunity presents itself Establish temporary dump on premises, where necessary Activate clean-up and salvage team Activate mutual aid for transportation and other support for recovery

activities Clean-up facilities; utilize voluntary assistance of those guests with

any interest Secure contractor services where needed Request professional assistance if necessary

Insurance Considerations Ensure that description of premises is correct (e.g. number of rooms,

number of floors, boundary lines, etc). Be certain that property values are realistic in order to avoid coinsurance

penalty if you have a big loss. Coinsurance requires that you, the insured, pay a portion of the loss.

Be certain that you cover all you intend to cover, i.e. , in addition to structures, remember pots and pans, artwork, signs, fences, trees, shrubbery (inside and outside), tennis courts, swimming pools, awning, seawalls, piers, docks, etc. Policy descriptions should be as broad as possible.

Ensure that the policy includes coverage for debris removal and flooding, and confirm in writing.

Consider coverage for loss of utility service due to off-premises equipment failure (light, telephone, water).

PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS! Take as many photographs as possible and video recordings as well.

For computers, list all hardware and software.Also consider Boiler and Machinery Coverage (if applicable).

Important Contacts 

NJ National Guard (Rescue, Security, Human Services, Disaster Relief) 866-838-7654 or 609-530-4251

Federal Emergency Disaster Agency (Disaster Relief, Federal Aid) 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627)

Environmental Protection Agency (Federal level consultation, Contamination control and cleanup) 1-888-TELL-EPA (1-888-835-5372)

NJ Department of Environmental Protection {[(State level, Contamination control and cleanup) 866-DEP-KNOW or 866-337-566 or 609-777-3373 (DEP3)]}

NJ American Red Cross (Blood Donations, Medical Services, Counseling, Food) 1-800-507-6058/ 973-797-3300 Fairfield Headquarters 209 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, NJ 07004 @973-797-3300 / 1-800-507-6058 Email: info@redcrossnnj.org

NJ Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (Human Services, Shelters, Food, Counseling) 4 Gary Road, P.O. Box 3170, Union, NJ  07083 @ 908-851-9300 908-851-8238 Email: nj@use.salvationarmy.org 

Local Police , Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services(Rescue, Security, Medical & Human Services) Dial 9-1-1

Your Insurance Company