Storm Prepartion Checklist

Precautions to be taken when cyclones and heavy rain alerts are issued:

1. Management
2. Individual
3. Faclitiy
4. Do Not

Management Storm Preparadness

1. Inform all staff and visitors of the potential for a storm.
2. Notify all key administrative staff and Board Members of the anticipated plans. Begin and maintain regularly scheduled meetings.
3. Notify all staff to update any recent changes to their contact information (new phone numbers, email addresses, etc).
4. Open the Primary EoC and test all communications and data equipment.
5. Confirm the status of all contracts and other agreements with partner or affiliate hospitals, agencies, primary and secondary vendors, contract staffing services, transportation (bus and Chair-Car) and ambulance companies or EMS agencies.
6. Confirm contact information, business hours and off-hours for all affiliates, other service agencies and regulatory agencies
7. Confirm contact information, business hours and off-hours for all current and back-up vendors.
8. Test the functioning of all back-up communications devices such as portable radios, phones and remote paging systems.
9. Verify the emergency plans of administrative staff, board members, and other office support staff.
10. Provide information to the Public Relations Officer for use in developing risk communications and other new releases to be provided to staff and visitors.
11. Work with partner or affiliate hospitals along with regulatory or supervisory agencies to determine the potential for open beds for patients that may require evacuation.
12. Evaluate Human Resources policies which may need to be waived during an extended emergency, e.g., “Sleeping at the Workplace” and policies regarding overtime or on-call hours.
13. Work with the HSE, Occupational Health Department and others to maintain a safe and healthy environment for staff and visitors.
14. Encourage staff to execute a family preparedness plan

Individual Storm Preparedness

1. Obtain additional food, water, sanitation supplies;
2. Get fresh batteries for flashlights and portable radios, keep a flashlight/torch, battery and radio easily accessible as it will be vital in case of power failure;
3. Contact relatives with their plans for sheltering or possible evacuation during the storm;
4. Make arrangements for pets and livestock;
5. Make copies of all important documents and carry them or place them in a secure location away from home;
6. Obtain extra cash;
7. Make a list of all important numbers such as
   • insurance policy numbers,
   • drivers’ license,
   • passport numbers,
   • National Emergency Numbers, etc.
8. Prepare a “Go Bag” for each member of the family which includes clothes, medicines, toiletries and pastime items (books, cards, etc);
9. If an alert is issued to evacuate, then do so quickly;
10. If evacuating – ensure you shutdown gas, water and electricity supplies;
11. If you are walking or driving then make sure you leave early enough as roads might be closed due to heavy rain or debris;
12. Take note of shelters and emergency locations (accommodation/food/rescue services/medical services), in case you require them;
13. Keep away from beaches and dams;
14. Remember that precipitation for mountainous and highland areas, even for short periods of time, may be followed by floods, runoff off valleys and falling rocks;
15. Identify high places and how to reach them;

Facility Storm Preparadness

1. Remove loose objects from outside the home, condo or apartment or secure them from roof tops and gardens so that they do not fly away and cause damage;
2. If trailers or other portable storage units are in use, make arrangements to empty the trailers of needed supplies. Then move the trailers to high ground or off-site to a protected area.
3. If needed, secure statuary that could be overturned by severe winds or flowing water. Either remove these items, lay them down or add guy wires to stakes to increase their stability.
4. Clean debris from all outdoor surface drains and troughs, and rooftop drains.
5. If sandbags will be needed to protect against water intrusion or interior flow, obtain a sufficient quantity of sand and bags. If needed, obtain tarps or similar waterproofing membranes.
6. If applicable, obtain the plywood, tarps, tape, fasteners and tools needed to board or protect low-lying glass panels, low-lying ventilation grates and louvers, and outdoor signs.
7. Notify all staff of the need to remove plugged-in accessories prior to the storm’s arrival (fans, heaters, desk lamps, other personal items, etc.)
8. Move all portable generators to their proper location. If applicable, secure the generators or trailers to prevent tipping. Properly ground all equipment.
9. To ensure peak performance from all pumps, repair, replace and lubricate as necessary.
10. Distribute portable pumps to areas where interior flooding has occurred in the past. As appropriate, connect discharge hoses.
11. If using prefabricated or commercial water barricades, place them near the doors, windows or ventilation grates.

Do Not

• Do not sail the sea; if you own a boat then secure it and reach a safe place before the storm arrives;
• Avoid flooded places and valleys;
• Do not attempt to cross floods, even if the water level may seem low;
• Avoid standing close to light and electrical poles and be aware of overhanging cables
• Avoid walking in a streams if the water level is above your knee.
• Do not stay with vehicle if breaks down, leave it immediately and head to a higher place –  water may sweep away the vehicle and occupants;

Leave your comments below, if you would like to share some more precautions, we might have missed.