Preparing for Storms
Proper preparation will help your business weather any storm. If a storm is approaching your area, ensure the safety of your employees and protect your property by taking these precautions.
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Secure your building.
Cover windows and move equipment/furniture to a secured area.
Protect your data.
If dependent on data processing, consider an alternate site. Also make provisions for alternate communications and power.
Be aware and prepare
Be prepared to work with limited supplies of cash, and be without water, sewer or power for at least two weeks. Store emergency supplies at the office.
- Employee safety comes first! Prepare, distribute and exercise your business hurricane plan for recovery.
- Consider providing shelter to employees and their families and helping with supplies post-storm.
- Establish a rendezvous point and time for employees in case communications are disrupted.
- Establish a call-down procedure for warning and post-storm communications.
- Provide photo IDs and a letter of authorization to enter the building.
- Share your communications and recovery plan in advance.
- Prepare a list of vendors to provide disaster recovery services.
Make sure your meter remains visible. After a snow storm, please make sure your natural gas meter is clear of accumulated snow and ice.
- Avoid allowing snow to completely cover your meter.
- Never shovel snow onto or against your meter.
- Use a broom to dust snow away from the meter; do not use a shovel.
- Never tap or hit the meter to knock or break away snow from the meter or gas piping.
- If your meter is completely coated in ice, or you think there is a safety concern with your meter, piping, or equipment, call our 24 hour emergency line at 1-800-640-1595 or call 911.
- Also, remember to keep your eaves and gutters clear and remove icicles hanging from your eaves or gutters.