Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” As we head into the peak of Hurricane Season for the Atlantic Basin (the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico), you will likely hear that it’s essential to be prepared now if a hurricane strikes your area.
We’ve discussed the importance of preparedness in the past. By anticipating a potential problem before it occurs, you can be ready for it to achieve the best possible outcome. But when it comes to something as powerful and unpredictable as a hurricane, it can be challenging to know where to start.
In this blog post, we will touch on hurricane preparedness strategies and what the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and other agencies say you can do as an organization in advance of a storm. However, we will also explain why you should contact us to develop a disaster response plan with our experts.
Having a plan in place now will make it much easier and faster to restore your property or facility to normal.
Can You Prepare for a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a storm system that can produce winds of 150+ mph, heavy rainfall, and other extreme weather occurrences. If you live in an area typically affected by the Atlantic Hurricane Season, you likely are well aware of the damage a hurricane can cause in a very short amount of time:
- Storm surge,
- In-land flooding,
- Downed trees and power lines,
- Power outages,
- Structural damage, and more.
And then there is the human cost. Each year, dozens of fatalities in the United States can be attributed to hurricanes. Although hurricanes are rated by their maximum sustained winds, 88% of deaths attributed to hurricanes are caused by storm surge and rainfall flooding.
It is not just a matter of making sure employees are sheltered from the high winds; they must also be protected from potentially deadly flooding.
What Can Your Organization Do in Preparation for a Hurricane?
As an organization, there are certain things you can do in preparation to ensure you are as ready as possible if you’re in the eye of the storm. The US Small Business Administration says you should consider doing the following before any significant weather event to minimize losses and ensure your employees are safe:
- Develop and implement a business continuity plan.
- Set up an emergency communications plan so that you can stay connected with employees, customers, and suppliers.
- Review your insurance coverage and determine if you are protected against hurricanes and have flooding insurance if available.
- Have your roof and other structures assessed and repaired if necessary.
- Keep a disaster kit on-site if people must take shelter in your facility.
These are actions you can and should take so you are not scrambling in the lead up to the storm. Of course, in the days and hours before a hurricane reaches your area, you may need to remove outdoor debris, fasten any exterior signage, secure windows and doors with plywood or shutters, and ensure everyone is updated on any news and protocols related to the preparedness plan.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has an excellent checklist you can review for inspiration as you develop your preparedness plan.
How Can Berman Help You After the Storm?
Yes, as an organization, you can prepare for a hurricane and ensure your people are safe and your business is protected as much as possible. But you can only design a preparedness plan to mitigate the damage to an extent. If a storm is severe enough, it will be impossible to protect against all hazards caused by the storm.
This is where having a disaster response team at your side will be to your advantage. Our team of disaster response experts has significant experience working with commercial clients to create a response plan and execute it after an extreme weather event.
After you contact us, our team will assess your property and facilities to determine any risk factors that could affect your property in the event of high winds, flooding, or other severe weather phenomena. We will identify any threats and work with you to develop a response plan to address them.
As a licensed general contractor and full-service facility services provider, Berman specializes in the following disaster response services:
- Tree and debris removal
- Structural damage repair
- Roof repair
- Fencing setup and repair
- Plumbing repair
- Drying and dehumidification
- Water extraction
- Mildew removal
- Fire restoration
- Carpet cleaning
- Insurance claim reimbursement
Why Is It Essential to Call Berman in Advance of a Storm?
You have created or will create a preparedness plan, so your organization is ready if disaster strikes. Calling us now before a severe weather event is the best way to ensure you can lock in our disaster response services if an event does happen. We can get to know your property and have a clear understanding of what needs to be done in the hours and days following a storm. When it comes to wind, fire, and water damage, time is of the essence.
Unfortunately, organizations that wait and inquire about disaster response services for the first time after a storm in the area may be delayed because of sheer demand. It could take days, weeks, or even longer before you find a provider who can help.
We encourage you to contact us today to learn more about our disaster response services and other property management and facility services we offer. With Berman, you will have a partner that will help you ride the storm out and get back to business as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.