Hurricane Information

Hurricane Information

Dear Friends,

I hope everyone was safe during our recent threat from Alberto  and  will remain that way until Hurricane Season is over!!  Below, is information that I wanted to share with you.

1.  National Hurricane Center’s Prediction Information - http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

2.  What You Should Do To Prepare

-     Assure you have every family member, employee, volunteer leader’s home and cell phone number on paper.  Be ready to start a quick phone tree to check in on each other.

-     Assign a designated voicemail/phone number for staff and elected leadership to call to find out if the office is open or closed or to convey other important information.

-     Touch base with your elected leadership and establish a clear “continuation of operations plan.”  Assure that they know if, and when, you plan to close the office and whom to call should the first contact not be available.  Also assure that there are additional designees able to communicate with banks, insurance agents, and other individuals important to a recovery effort.

-     Back up your server & data drives.  (When backing up, don’t forget to test the data to make sure the tape really did write the information in a retrievable format.)

-     If feasible, store the back up tapes offsite.  Options include sending information home with a staff person or, better yet, mailing/couriering disk to out-of-state colleague or affiliate. 

-     Make sure no computer equipment is left on the floor before you leave the office or at home.  Placing it on the desk helps protect against incidental flooding.  (This advice applies for offices on any floor of a building.  A broken window and some wind blown rain can create quite a puddle.)

-     Store “valuable papers” and files in a “high and dry” location.  Such documents might include insurance policies and other documents you might need should you have to resume operations in another location.  (Note- many insurance coverage's cover valuable papers but only if a catalogue is available.  If you don’t already have an inventory of your important documents, it might be too late to compile immediately but establish a plan to do so sometime in the near future.)

-     If you plan to work until a storm is eminent, assure that you and all your staff have enough time to secure the offices AND their own homes.  Keep in mind that in a storm, many unprepared and nervous people are on the road and you should allow extra time for staff to get home and prepare.

-     Pass this information on.  The information applies to all types of businesses and offices.

3.  What You Should Do If A Storm Strikes In Your Area

-     Above all, take care of yourself.  Rescue workers will have a lot less work if you assure that you take the time to prepare your home and family and follow prudent evacuation/safety plans.  (While you may feel foolish taking certain storm preparedness steps, you -  and all those watching out for you - are much better off if you take the "safer-than-sorry" approach.)

-     Assist first responders by heeding their requests.  At times, this may be for hands.  More often it is for supplies and funds.  Listen to the request and respond accordingly. 

-     Plan for the recovery.  Make sure that you and your network members have a way to contribute (time, talent, dollars).  Right after a storm, people are looking for ways to make a difference.  Your network should be ready to offer a number of options for people to help fellow members or others around the state.

Recovery and Response Campaign

2004 was one of worst hurricane seasons Florida and neighboring states have seen. So many people and organizations stepped up to the plate and assisted greatly in the recovery.  In addition to significant volunteer time and talent and contributions to numerous charitable organizations, fundraising goals for the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund were met.

The success of the campaign simply reinforced the notion that teamwork is essential for communicating information to all corners of the state, organizations provide the best network to marshal volunteers with all types of talents, and are in the best position to solicit support of talent, time or dollars. 

I hope this information helps.  Please keep in contact.