Preparing for an Active Hurricane Season Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak

Hurricane predictions show an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. An April report from Colorado State University said, “Seasonal Hurricane forecast calls for an above-average season: 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes & 4 major (Cat 3+) hurricanes. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.” Even though June 1st is the start of the official hurricane season, we have already seen one named storm over the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Arthur. With this being the case, the possibility of the United States facing dual disasters is very present.

Strategic Response Partners has already begun working through some of the questions that a particularly devastating storm could present: How do shelters work when social distancing is still recommended? How do you keep a shelter clean and disinfected continually? If shelters open ahead of a hurricane, will vulnerable people leave their homes?

SRP has been on the frontlines of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, assisting clients to prepare to safely reopen and stay open from Compliance Planning, Decontamination, Sanitization and Environmental Remediation Protocols following the COVID-19 Federal, State and Local guidelines.

• Prepare your building management, employees, tenants and guests on how to be organized and resilient in the face of disaster.
• Review your evacuation procedures and implement our cutting edge app to run drills and help ensure success every time.
• Assist with the management of local, state and federal emergency responses that will directly impact your ability to recover.
• Work with and use mass notification systems to create concise messaging to all necessary parties.
• Perform a 3D pre/post storm property condition report with precise aerial exterior and interior models.
• Adopt and use early warning severe weather alerts that are site-specific for your property(ies).
• Use new and emerging technologies to better prepare your family, business, and communities.
• Pre-screen all your vendor’s response capabilities — including temporary power, security, nurse stations, restoration companies, risk managers, consultants, engineers, certified industrial hygienists, adjusters, and lawyers to help minimize your loss and maximize your success.
• Prepare and execute an in-depth Active Shooter | Fire | Severe Weather | Cyber Security Training to educate members of your organization on how to recognize signs of potential violent behavior, crisis communication, mass notification, evacuation, tracking surveillance, and lockdown systems to respond quickly and effectively.
• Set up a command post, obtain signed waivers, and assign a public information officer to share messaging with local media properly and effectively.
• Put a detailed plan in place to help maximize recovery through insurance/risk/impact/crisis management — All while working to limit your liability exposure, reduce business interruption and quickly recover from any major disaster.

For more information on how to properly plan for Hurricane Season, contact Steve Slepcevic with Strategic Response Partners: steve@srp24.com or call (888) 582–5848.