Emergency Procedures - Hurricanes

The following excerpts are from IREM’s publication, Before Disaster Strikes: Developing an Emergency Procedures Manual, Third Edition (IREM Copyright 2005):  

Hurricanes are one of nature’s most destructive forces. These massive weather phenomena are tropical cyclones with torrential rains and sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or more in which winds blow counter-clockwise (in the northern hemisphere) around a relatively calm center or “eye.” Hurricanes may extend up to 400 miles across and can severely damage areas hundreds of miles inland.

Areas and Properties at Risk
Coastal areas, especially near the Gulf of Mexico and along the Eastern Seaboard, are at greatest risk from hurricanes. Inland regions near these areas also are at risk although, generally speaking, the farther away from the coast, the less direct effect a hurricane will have.

Structures most at risk from hurricanes are long-span buildings and mobile or manufactured homes. Substantial steel-framed or reinforced concrete buildings are the least risky. On a long-span building, the roof is usually supported solely by outside walls; inside walls are usually false or non-load-bearing. Shopping centers, which traditionally are long-span buildings, are especially vulnerable to roof collapse.

Because of the frailty of mobile homes/manufactured housing, a protective on-site shelter may be included in a mobile home community. In the event of a hurricane, residents should be encouraged to make arrangements to move to such shelters or stay with friends or relatives at the first sign of trouble.

Preventive Measures
Today’s satellite imagery enables the NWS to track hurricanes for days, so there usually is time for preventive measures to be taken. At the minimum, a property manager should have one day’s notice, inasmuch as hurricane watches will be upgraded to hurricane warnings when the hurricane is expected to strike an area within 24 hours. There are a number of measures the property manager can implement during this time to prevent property loss:

• Identify in advance locally designated public shelters in the community.
• Closely monitor the television, radio, or NOAA Weather Radio to keep abreast of storms progressing in the area. They will direct you to areas of public shelter.
• Learn safe routes inland.
• Review the need for and working condition of emergency supplies and equipment such as plywood and nails (for safeguarding windows), flashlights, and battery-powered radios.
• Clear out clogged rain gutters and downspouts; secure loose gutters and downspouts.
• Seek out and secure objects out of doors that might blow away or cause property damage. These include trash cans and Dumpsters, signs, outdoor furniture, and trash.
• Inspect roofs—repair loose gutters, shingles, and coping; remove tools and loose objects; pick up trash.
• Inspect roof-mounted HVAC equipment for loose debris and improperly fastened panels; make needed repairs.
• Inspect storm sewers and catch basins; clear away debris.
• Close and protect windows and glass doors—board up windows, install storm shutters, and apply masking or electrical tape (depending on the fury of the storm) in an X pattern on both sides of the glass.
• If near a coastline, stream or river, shut off gas and electricity.
• Instruct residents to move all patio and balcony items (pots, plants, etc.) indoors. Remove these items from balconies of residents who are not at home.
• Keep a supply of fresh bottled water on hand in case the storm contaminates the community’s water supply or damages distribution lines.
• Evacuate low-lying areas and any other areas when so directed.
• Have ice on hand to preserve food in residential complexes, and keep icepacks ready to treat physical injuries.
• Shut down all three-phase electrical service just prior to the hurricane striking.
• Move elevators to the second floor level and lock them off in the event of flooding. Secure elevator doors at lower levels to prevent entry into the shaft.

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) at the direction of FEMA has developed a standardized methodology, called HAZUS, for assessing losses from hurricane wind damage. Information about HAZUS is available on the Internet at www.nibs.org/hazusweb/methodology/wind.php. HAZUS software is available at no charge from FEMA.

Hurricane-Proofing a Property
Plans to protect a property should be developed well in advance of hurricanes. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows, although an alternative is to board up windows with 5/8-inch marine plywood that is pre-cut to fit and ready to install.

Each property should be inspected for compliance with local building codes to ensure maximum safety and qualification for insurance coverage. Many roofs destroyed by hurricanes have been found to be in violation of local building codes.
Flood insurance is a necessity in hurricane-prone areas. Flood insurance should be purchased well in advance, as there is normally a five-day waiting period before it takes effect. (See Chapter 27 for more information on flood insurance.)

The Emergency Management Team should know how to shut off utilities, where gas pilot lights are located, and how the heating and air-conditioning systems are controlled. The need for backup systems should be considered, such as battery-operated portable pumps to remove flood water, battery-powered emergency lighting, and alternate power sources such as gasoline-powered generators. Preparations should include measures for securing hazardous materials or plans for removing them from the property.

During a Hurricane
The emergency procedures manual should tell both the Emergency Management Team and the building’s occupants what to do during a hurricane. Here are some suggestions:

• Frequently listen to broadcast updates of the storm’s status.
• Inspect and secure mobile home tie-downs.
• Turn off gas and electricity.
• Follow evacuation instructions of local officials. Hurricane winds are especially strong at higher elevations, so occupants of high-rise buildings should waste no time in evacuating.
• Stay away from windows and doors, even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small interior room or hallway, where structural support is strongest.
• Remain indoors—go to designated shelters or basement areas.
• Do not be fooled by the eye of the hurricane if it passes over you. If it is directly overhead, there will be a lull in the wind lasting several minutes to half an hour or more, and then strong winds and weather will recur.
• Be alert for tornadoes, which can happen during a hurricane or after it passes.
• Avoid using the phone except for serious emergencies; local authorities need first priority in using telephone lines.
• Advise occupants of multiple-story buildings that are located away from the water to go to the first or second floors and take refuge in halls or interior rooms, away from windows.
• Wear a hard hat, if possible.

After a Hurricane
After a hurricane, the Emergency Management Team should continue to use the utmost care in ensuring the safety of building occupants and the property. Suggested actions include:

• Continue listening to public broadcast announcements. Wait until an area is declared safe before entering.
• Care for injured persons (See Chapter 19).
• Be extremely careful in moving around the property. Watch for live electrical wires, shattered glass, splintered wood, and debris as well as structural damage.
• Inspect the property, and appoint cleanup crews.
• Call the property’s insurance company, restoration contractor, and building inspector, and get them to the site as soon as possible.
• Set up a manageable schedule to repair the property. Be aware of symptoms of stress and fatigue.
• Have available materials for making temporary repairs, such as tools, hardware, plywood, sawhorses, and barricades.
• Do not turn on the electricity unless it has been officially declared safe to do so by the utility company.
• Report broken gas, sewer, or water mains to the respective utilities.
• Open clogged pipes and catch basins.
• Prepare for possible flooding from the storm or damaged water barriers.
• Be alert for potential fire hazards such as leaking gas lines, pools of water near electrical equipment and appliances, spills of combustible materials, etc. (see Chapter 14).
• If occupants are permitted by local authorities to evacuate, advise them of safe and unflooded evacuation routes and roads. Drive only when necessary, as flooding may continue and roads my weaken and collapse.
• Replenish emergency supplies.

Note: More specific information can be found on the Internet at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

The above is excerpted from Before Disaster Strikes: Developing an Emergency Procedures Manual, Third Edition, published in November 2004 (IREM order #787).