Weather the Storm: How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Hurricanes

If you live or own a business along the Gulf or East Coast, hurricanes are a real threat. While your personal safety must always come first, you also want to protect your business assets from the significant property damage hurricanes can cause. Having a coordinated plan to address both personal safety and business preparedness is crucial to weathering the storm, ensuring a quick recovery, and securing peace of mind amidst the chaos of an impending weather event.

At DAVACO, we help businesses with storm preparations and post-hurricane cleanup. We also prioritize the safety of our field teams working in hurricane-prone areas with our standardized safety protocols that anyone can apply. When we can’t control the weather, preparation is one of the best ways to safeguard you and your business from the outcomes.

Personal Safety Preparations: Protecting Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Whether you're at home or traveling for business, these expert-approved safety measures can help keep you safe in a hurricane area when storms are a possibility:

1. Monitor the Weather

Stay updated with reliable forecasts. Hurricanes can change course quickly, and being informed gives you time to act. Use trusted sources like the National Weather Service (NWS) or National Hurricane Center (NHC) for real-time updates. Apps like The Weather Channel or the FEMA app are also excellent for providing mobile alerts, and NOAA weather radios work without internet or power.

2. Prepare Your Emergency Supplies

Having the right essentials on hand can make all the difference, especially when stores run out of supplies before a storm. If you can, keep these emergency items stocked throughout hurricane season (June-November) at home, your business, or even in your car if you travel for work:

• Water: One gallon per person per day (for at least three days).
• Non-perishable food: Enough for at least three days.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio for weather updates.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Local maps in case GPS is unavailable.
• Cash: ATMs and card readers may be down.

3. Flood and Power Line Safety

Floodwaters can be deadly—never try to walk or drive through them. "Turn around, don’t drown." Only a small amount of fast-moving water is enough to carry away vehicles or knock down adults. Also, avoid downed power lines and, if they fall on your vehicle, stay inside and call 9-1-1.

4. Secure Shelter

If you're in a flood-prone area, know where the nearest shelter is. The FEMA app provides this information. When staying in hotels for business, avoid ground-floor rooms to stay safer from flooding.

Business Preparedness: Safeguarding Your Commercial Space

Protecting your business assets before the storm hits is essential to mitigate damage. Here are the key steps to safeguard your facility and prepare for post-storm recovery:

1. Secure the Building

• Board up windows to protect against flying debris.
• Use sandbags and water diversion kits to minimize flooding.
• Clear gutters and drains to prevent water from pooling.

2. Prepare Backup Power

Power outages are common during hurricanes, and a fuel-ready generator can keep your operations running smoothly after the storm. Be sure to test the generator after fueling.

3. Plan for Communication

Ensure that key business personnel have fully charged phones and backup communication plans. This allows you to coordinate with your team remotely during and after the storm.

Post-Hurricane Recovery: Restore and Rebuild Quickly

Once the storm passes, your focus shifts to assessing damage and getting your business back to normal. DAVACO’s facilities management expertise ensures that recovery happens as quickly as possible.

1. Conduct a Thorough Site Survey

A thorough post-storm assessment is critical. We help walk through your property, checking for roof leaks, downed trees, and other hazards, and create a repair plan.

2. Clean Up and Repair

• Roof Leaks: Address immediately to prevent further damage.
• Debris Removal: Clear out fallen trees and hazards quickly.
• Water Remediation: Remove water and dry the space to avoid mold.
• Lighting and Electrical Repairs: Restore functionality to essential systems.

3. Restore Signage and Exterior Structures

Fixing damaged signage and other exterior elements ensures your business remains visible and approachable, helping you get back to normal faster.

Combining Personal and Business Safety: A Comprehensive Checklist

Hurricane preparedness involves both personal safety and business continuity. By aligning your personal emergency plans with your business strategies, you can better manage the impact of the storm and recover quickly.

Before the Storm:

• Stay informed with local weather updates.
• Prepare emergency supplies: water, food, first aid kit, flashlights, batteries.
• Secure shelter and know your evacuation plan.
• For your business: Board up windows, deploy sandbags, fuel up generators.

After the Storm:

• Contact DAVACO to assist with post-storm restoration.
• Conduct a thorough damage assessment.
• Begin cleanup: roof repairs, debris removal, water damage remediation.

Stay Protected with DAVACO’s Facilities Management Expertise

Hurricane season can be unpredictable, but your safety and business shouldn’t be. Whether it’s pre-storm planning or post-storm recovery, DAVACO is on your side. Don’t wait until a hurricane is at your doorstep—let us help you be prepared.

Contact us today to ensure you’re ready for whatever this hurricane season brings.