Hurricane Prep
What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a large rotating storm with high speed winds that forms over warm waters in tropical areas. Hurricanes have sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour and an area of low air pressure in the center called the eye.
Definitions – Weather
A.Tropical Disturbance – A discrete system of apparently organized convection originating in the tropics / subtropics, having a non-frontal migratory character, and maintaining its identity for 24 hours or more.
B.Tropical Depression – A tropical low pressure system with maximum sustained winds of 33 knots (38 mph) or less.
C.Tropical Storm – A tropical low pressure system with maximum sustained winds between 34-63 knots ( 39-73 mph)
D.Tropical Storm Watch- Tropical storm force winds (37-74 mph) are possible within the next 36 hours.
E.Tropical Storm Warning -Tropical storm force winds (37-74 mph) are occurring or expected within 24 hours.
F.Hurricane – A tropical storm with sustained winds of 74 mph or more, characterized by torrential rains, high winds, and storm surges. The “eye” (center) is generally 20 to 30 miles wide, and the storm may have a diameter of 400 miles across, with a duration of two weeks or more.
Type Category Winds (mph) / damage Surge (feet)
Tropical Depression TD 38 or less
Tropical Storm TS 39-73
Hurricane 1 74-95 / minimal damage Impact Surge
Hurricane 2 96-110 / moderate damage Impact Surge
Hurricane 3 111-130 / extensive damage Impact Surge
Hurricane 4 131-155 / extreme damage Impact Surge
Hurricane 5 155 > / catastrophic damage Impact Surge
Pre-Storm
Management will monitor any potential storms or warnings.
FDC has two levels of preparedness as shown below:
Tropical Storm / Hurricane Watch – An announcement that tropical-storm or hurricane conditions are possible within the specified area.
Tropical Storm / Hurricane Warning – An announcement that tropical-storm or hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area.
Response Phase I (Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Watch)
[Either tropical storm force winds (39 to 73 mph) or a hurricane (74 mph or greater) has entered the Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico and is a minimum of 72 to 48 hours or 1250 miles away from Florida]
Step 1 – The CEO of the company or most senior manager on duty in his/her absence are to inform the staff of the alert.
Departments heads are complete the following tasks:
Note: If a department head is off duty the CEO will place another manager to oversee his/her responsibilities are completed.
Remember to have all tasks completed you will need to delegate tasks to your team
HQ Office Manager:
•Purchase water proof bags to cover all electrical equipment.
•Cancel cleaning crew should storm arrive on that date
•Confirm all Emergency contact details are up to date
Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Watch
Billing:
•Remove all paperwork from the floor
•Secure filling cabinets
•Remove all drinks from the floor
Parts:
•Office – Remove any electrical items from the floor
•Office – Inform delivery companies of pending closures (if known)
•Warehouse – Remove all items from the floor that could be damaged by water
•Warehouse – Clean floor space by bay 2 door – enough space for 2 vans
•Warehouse – Make space in Hell’s kitchen to receive any items that might require more protection
•Attic – Secure any items of value
•Attic – Report any visible holes in the ceiling
•Attic – Remove any items located near the A/C unit
Weld Shop:
•Check all window boards are in good condition – if NOT purchase new ones
•Create floor space in bays to park company vehicles
•Create gate stakes
•Check condition of gate straps – purchase more if required
•Fill up all gas cans
Service:
•Office – Contact all platinum customers about securing gates
•Office – Create space in the schedule for possible influx of gate securing jobs
•Office – Confirm on call schedule with team and EMS company
•Techs – To clean their vans and to check equipment
•Techs – To fill up their vans at the end of each shift
•Techs – Check how much rope we have – purchase more if required
Installation:
•Fill up generators and trucks with gas
•Clean vans in preparation for storm recovery
•Storage lot – Clear up any loose items – Report any issues about clients property to Jordan Harpold
IT/HR/Sales:
•Prepare to disconnect battery backups and secure doors
•Alert IT support and secure servers
Response Phase II (Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Warning)
[Hurricane conditions are possible within 24 to 48 hours or 650 miles away from Florida]
Step 1 – The CEO of the company or most senior manager on duty in his/her absence are to inform the staff of the alert.
Departments heads are complete the following tasks:
Note: If a department head is off duty the CEO will place another manager to oversee his/her responsibilities are completed.
HQ Office Manager:
•Check all computers are unplugged and bagged up
•Plug fax machine and bag up
•Move main printer into Hell’s kitchen
•Vending machine switched off
•Fridge emptied
•All trash cans emptied and placed into the dumpster
•Remove all picture frames
Billing:
•Unplug computers, printers & fax machines – bag up
•Secure filling cabinets
•Secure stationary cupboarded
•Remove all items from the walls
Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Warning
Parts:
•Office – Unplug computers, printers & fax machines – bag up
•Office – power down internal door so access can be granted manually
•Warehouse – Once vehicles are in secure the sliding gate & lower main rolling gate
•Warehouse – Unlock internal door leading into weld shop
•Warehouse – Secure hells kitchen once printer is inside
Weld Shop:
•Board up all windows and glass door on west side of main building
•Strap up any loose items around back of building
•Secure ice machine and exterior cover
•Manually lock door in bay 3
•Fill up all gas cans
Service:
•Office – Unplug computers, printers & fax machines – bag up
•Techs – Place stakes, rope and straps in van for securing gates
•Techs – To fill up their vans with gas
•Techs – Park vans inside the building
Installation:
•Power down main sliding gate and release for manually movement
•Storage Lot – Power down main sliding gate and release for manually movement
•Secure any loose items in the parking lot – Bring inside if needed
•Cover up large photocopier
IT/HR/Sales:
•Shut down server and cover up
•Shut down back up box and remove to a dry location off site
Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Warning
Annex: Jobs to be completed by Jordan Harpold (as of 2019)
•Shutter needs to come down – Both sides
•Sliding doors need to be powered down
•Secure all manual deadbolts
•Disconnect battery back up
•Padlock sliding door – including storage lot
Main Building: Jobs to be completed by Martyn Jones (as of 2019)
•Secure internal doors including server room
•Bring main shutter down
•Secure west door
•Alarm building
Regional Offices
As of 2019 FDC has offices located in Orlando, Tampa, Davie, Jacksonville. The office manager is responsibe for securing and preparing these offices in the event of a hurricane/Tropical storm. Note: That not all offices close during potential weather events. The CEO will make the decision for closure.
Office:
•All windows should be covered by plywood
•All computers, printers and Fax machines should be unplugged and covered.
•Secure all loose items
•Turn off water when leaving (if possible)
Vans:
•Should be cleaned out and prepared for after the storm
•Filled up with gas (at the end of each shift, before the storm)
•Parked inside the office space (if applicable)
Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Warning
Each office is different and the manager will make a dynamic assessment on what need to be completed. Regional employees will need to remain flexible in the preparation process.
During the Storm
Once all required tasks have been completed, FDC will send all employees home.
You or your family are NOT to shelter within any FDC building.
FDC highly recommends that you check the government website for what to do for personal safety.
Evacuation:
Evacuation is a personal choice. You are required to inform your line manager if you are evacuating. Any time away will be deducted from your PTO.
Phones:
If your area is not under threat the company phone calls will be directed to your regional office.
When taking service calls please take down the following information:
Name of caller
Name of Site
Address of site
Problem they are having
This information is to be emailed to the regional office & HQ for processing. Please keep a record of all calls on a word document.
Post Storm – Business Continuity
Business continuity is the ability of an organization to maintain essential functions during, as well as after, a disaster has occurred.
Depending on the severity and impact of the storm in your area will dictate the company’s response.
Arrival to office:
•Secure the site and survey for damage and for safety hazards, such as live wires, leaking gas (if applicable) or flammable liquids, and damage to foundations or underground piping.
•Before restoring service, check all utilities. If you have any question about the condition of your utilities, call the appropriate company.
•Do not turn on computer equipment if there are indications of low voltage power fluctuations, low air conditioning output, water under raised floor, broken windows or damaged equipment.
•Take pictures of any damages – This will help with any insurance claim
•Make temporary repairs as needed to prevent looting and/or any further damage. Cover broken windows and torn roof coverings immediately.
•Separate damaged goods, but beware of accumulating too much combustible debris inside a building.
•Clean roof drains and remove debris from roof to prevent drainage problems.
If your area requires assistance due to heavy damage you must let HQ know immediately.