Disastor Prepareness and Assistance Links

Ready.gov

Department of Homeland Security

FEMA

National Fire Protection Association

Safety For Individuals

• Create or review a disaster plan. Plan an evacuation route in advance and determine where you will go if told to evacuate.
• Prepare a survival kit. Stock up on drinking water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit and medicine for everyone including your pet. Include extra clothing, blankets, batteries, flashlights, a portable radio and cash.
• Secure outdoor objects such as garbage cans and lawn furniture.
• Review how to shut off utilities in an emergency.
• During a heavy storm, power off and unplug electronics and appliances.
• Locate important papers and documents, including your insurance policy and have them ready to take with you should you need to evacuate.
• Leave promptly if ordered to evacuate.
• Heavy rains have the potential to cause significant damage. Remember to:
  • Close and lock all windows and doors.
  • Remove window air conditioners.
  • Remove valuable items from your basement.
    • If it's not possible or practical to move some items, elevate them off the floor on pallets or concrete blocks.
  • Clear exterior drains.
    • Look for exterior drains at the bottom of basement stairs, in window wells, and anywhere sidewalks or driveways slope toward the foundation.
  • Clear gutters of leaves and debris.
    • This is also a good time to repair any damaged gutters.
  • Make sure water can drain away from your foundation.
    • Check that your downspouts have elbows and splash blocks to direct water away from the house.
  • Check your sump pump.
    • Pour water into the sump and verify that the pump is working properly. If it has a battery backup, test the battery backup by switching off the main power to the house at the circuit breaker.

Take extra precautions with portable generators.

• Generators should be properly grounded and should never be operated indoors, in garages, basements or near windows or doors.
• Since generators produce carbon monoxide (CO), make sure you have working CO detector in your home.
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet, which can "backfeed" into your home's electrical system and endanger utility workers or anyone who comes near downed wires.
• Store generator fuel in an approved can away from the house, open flames and fuel-burning appliances such as natural gas appliances.

Safety for Businesses

The following precautions can help protect people and property and guard against disruption of operations:

• Review your business continuity plan and communicate emergency evacuation and business interruption instructions to employees. If you don't have a written plan, a template is available from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. An emergency plan includes a detailed procedure for evacuation, a checklist for shutting down processes and protecting buildings, contents and equipment, and yard storage. Procedures should include salvage instructions to follow post-event.
• Back up critical data and computer records off-site so that operations can continue after a disaster. Consider keeping a backup generator and plenty of batteries on hand so your business can continue to operate after a power loss.
• As a storm approaches, quick actions should to be taken to install temporary protection features including:
  • Shutter or board up windows to protect them from flying debris
  • Clean out floor drains and catch basins to ensure maximum drainage
  • Anchor structures, trailers and yard storage so they are more likely to stay put in high winds
  • Fill emergency generator and fire pump fuel tanks
  • Shut down production processes safely
  • Shut off all flammable and combustible liquid and gas lines at their source
  • Shut off electrical power at the main building disconnect before the storm strikes
• Once the storm has subsided and it is safe to return, a salvage team should be assembled and repair work prioritized, assuring proper supplies are available and safety procedures followed.

These and other tips for business owners are available at riskcontrol.com.