For those of you in the path of this storm here are some guidelines to prepare for a hurricane.
Prep your office
- Print your Contingency Plan or have it available in an alternate location. Make sure you have your emergency contact list that includes vendors you may need.
- Take your inventory list with you, if possible, take pictures of all equipment with serial and model numbers. You may need this for an insurance claim.
- If necessary, create a backup and take it with you. Secure it if it is not encrypted.
- Print out patient schedules, in case of internet outage.
- Print out your manual forms/procedures in case systems are down. Place in plastic tubs.
- Shut down servers and workstations properly and disconnect power (contact your IT vendor to advise them you are shutting down). This includes firewalls / switches / printers / scanners, etc. Place equipment on a desk and cover with plastic bags or place them in plastic tubs if you are not taking them with you. If you have a rack system, place large garage bags over the racks and secure.
- Remove laptops / external hard drives / software installation disks / operating system disks. There is nothing worse than trying to reload a server or workstations operating system and software and not be able to find the discs. Be sure to label them before removing them so you know where to return them to. Be sure to shut laptops down to engage encryption (if encryption is activated). Secure external hard drive and media. Be sure the person taking the equipment is not in the path of the storm, or travel as far inland as possible.
- Move any equipment away from windows if possible. If you are expecting a storm surge, it is recommended to take as much of your equipment with you as possible. It would be a good idea to identify who carries servers like yours and note the lead times in case you have to buy a new one.
- Move anything of value OFF the floor in case of flooding. Place it in plastic tubs.
- It may be necessary to turn off the main breaker as well.
Prep your home
- Make extra ice or fill empty containers and freeze them. This can be used to keep your refrigerator and/or freezer cooler longer.
- Fill the cooler with ice. If you lose power, put the items that you use the most to prevent opening your refrigerator.
- Make sure all devices and portable chargers are charged.
- Have battery powered lights or flashlights on hand (extra batteries as well).
- Important papers, including insurance policies should be stored in the cloud or in a waterproof container.
- Have a container ready with medications, water, and food for at least 3-5 days.
- If you have a generator, be sure to test it and have additional fuel on hand.
- Heavy items and furniture, such as a patio table, may be turned on their sides or upside down to help prevent it from being caught by the wind and tossed about the patio.
- Potted plants – even small pots can become dangerous projectiles in hurricane strength winds; therefore, they should be removed.
- Patio umbrellas – close them and remove them from stands and/or patio tables. A gust of wind can send an open umbrella flying through your screen enclosure.
- Flagpoles – remove flags, and lower or remove pole, if possible.
- Decorative items – store them safely inside your home or garage to ensure protection from water damage.
- Enclosed swimming pool – Pool builders recommend leaving water in your pool during a hurricane or strong storm but adding more chlorine to reduce storm water contamination. Your pool may overflow but will be less likely to be damaged by the storm and/or debris that may fall into it. Most importantly, cover outdoor electrical devices with appropriate waterproof material to reduce the risk of damage.
This should be reviewed each year
Overhanging trees, cut back limbs, remove decaying branches, trim off weak limbs and loose leaves. Pay extra attention to any trees or shrubs that are close to your home and especially your patio area and screen enclosure or pool.
Stay safe and watch for downed power lines. These can be deadly!
