Severe Weather Preparedness for Business

Severe Weather Preparedness for Business

Jeff Birdwell Director of Emergency Management Chris Reed Emergency Management Officer Huntsville-Madison County EMA 256-427-5130 www.madisoncountyema.com

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Some Local Hazards to Consider… l l l l l l l l l l l l

Severe Thunderstorms Tornadoes Floods and Flash Floods Winter Storms Hazardous Materials Accidents Transportation Accidents Pandemic CyberAttack Bomb Threats Mass Casualty Earthquake Terrorist Attack

Local Hazards continued…

While we face many hazards in our area, the most frequent are Severe Thunderstorms, Tornados, Flooding, Winter Storms and Hazardous Materials incidents

Welcome to Alabama

Severe Thunderstorms l

Large hail - at least 3/4 inches (0.75 inches) in diameter

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Damaging winds - at least 58 mph

Severe Thunderstorm Watch- Conditions are favorable for a severe thunderstorm to occur in or close to the watch area.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning- A severe thunderstorm is occurring or expected to occur within a matter of minutes l

Plans for severe weather possibility should be put into effect and take action if warning issued!

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Assign someone to monitor weather information

Severe Thunderstorms l

Monitor for watches and warnings

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Move employees to a safe area indoors

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Stay away from doors and windows

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Primary threats are high winds, Lightning, flooding rains, and hail

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Severe Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes at any time

Tornado watch Tornado Watch- This is a “heads up” notice from the National Weather Service that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.

Plans for severe weather possibility should be put into effect Assign someone to monitor weather information Tornado Warning- Take cover now.

Tornadoes l

Monitor for watches and warnings

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Move employees to a safe area indoors usually the most interior room on the lowest floor

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Stay away from doors and windows

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Get out of automobiles

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If you are caught outside get into a ditch or depression and cover your head

The plan Establish a planning committee for your business to create a plan Discuss the types of disasters and which ones are most likely to happen Have a a NOAA Weather Alert Radio Identify “Best Available Refuge Areas” Post a movement plan in different areas of the building Talk about evacuation after the storm Discuss how to drill on those plans

Continuity of Operations Plan l l l l l l l l

Employees Office space, furniture and equipment Technology (computers, peripherals, communication equipment, software and data) Vital records (electronic and hard copy) Production facilities, machinery and equipment Inventory including raw materials, finished goods and goods in production.

Utilities (power, natural gas, water, sewer, telephone, internet, wireless) Third party services

Best Available Refuge Area l

Tornado Protection Selecting Refuge Areas in Buildings FEMA P-431, Second Edition/October 2009

Guidance for Refuge Area Selection

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Determine required space Review Construction Drawings Inspect Building Post selected areas for employees to follow Conduct Tornado Drill to test movement plan

Safety in the storm When taking refuge, remember the following: l l l l l l

“Best Available Refuge Areas” are typically on the lowest levels in the center part of the building away from outside walls and windows.

Place as many barriers between you and the outside as possible Try to find a central room with a short span such as a closet or bathroom Protect your head If you are outside, lie flat in a ditch or ravine if a sturdy building is not near you.

Once you reach a refuge area, account for everyone in your workplace.

Hazardous Elements l l l l l l l

Stay away from large open areas such as auditoriums, cafeterias and gyms i.e. any place with a long span roof Avoid rooms with windows Avoid wind tunnels or corridors that open to the outside Avoid Light roofs such as sheetrock or fiberboard Avoid Heavy roofs that may support heavy objects like HVAC units Avoid Loadbearing walls as they can fall into an open area Avoid Non reinforced Masonry construction

More Hazardous Elements l l l l

Stay away from mechanical rooms Stay away from electrical or IT closets Avoid Kitchens or Break rooms with natural gas Avoid Laboratories with Hazardous Materials

Guidance for Refuge Area Selection

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Can you pick the best refuge area in this Building?

Don’t forget... l

If your plan calls for a specific person to act in an emergency to alert others, plan a backup person(s) as well. Sickness or meetings may take that person away from normal duties.

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Maintain batteries in NOAA Weather Radio receivers and portable radios as recommended! A dead battery will only insure that you are the last to know about a warning!

Special meetings or events l

Organize a safety committee

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Write a severe weather safety plan Establish your own command post

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Monitor the weather forecast

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If severe weather is imminent - postpone or cancel the event or move the event indoors

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Keep a weather alert radio at the event

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Set policy on postponement or cancellation criteria Designate someone to make announcements concerning the weather Know where to take cover in advance Have a telephone handy

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Emergency Information l

Have a NOAA Weather Radio to get warnings!

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Have a Primary and a backup source for Emergency Information Battery operated radio or digital tv to get information when the power is out.

Have an antenna to pick up “over the air” local channels Many apps for smartphones are great but they may not work if cell phone service is unavailable

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Considerations l

Functional needs (employees that might need help)

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One exit may be blocked due to fire or damage - plan an alternate if another route of exit is available

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Can everyone receive the warning?

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Regularly practiced drills and reviews of the plans should be scheduled.

After the disaster l l l l l

Check on employees, family and neighbors Relocation plan Evaluate insurance Family support structure Establish priorities for returning to normal

Summary l l l l

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Identify potential hazards Establish a plan Notify Employees Accountability Identify “Best Available Refuge Areas” Assemble disaster supply kits Encourage preparedness activities Train and exercise

Information online Madison County EMA www.madisoncountyalema.gov FEMA www.ready.gov/business SBA www.SBA.gov RedCross Ready rating www.readyrating.org National Weather Service www.weather.gov/hun Storm Prediction Center www.spc.noaa.gov