FPL Mobile Storm Center

Preparing Your Business
Annual Hurricane Season Checklist

Refer to the County Hurricane Evacuation Map. Locate your business facility (or facilities) and its evacuation level (color). Determine if and when you would have to evacuate your business from storm surge. Remember: All work trailers and most warehouse/storage facilities are extremely vulnerable to hurricane-force winds, regardless of location.
If ordered to evacuate, decide now how and when you will communicate with employees and where you can establish an alternative work site if your facility is severely damaged or inaccessible.
Check your disaster supplies kit and obtain any items you need for the office. Purchase a battery-powered National Weather Service weather alert radio.
Inventory your property (a video tape is excellent). Store with insurance and title papers and backup tapes in a fireproof safe and keep a copy in a (fireproof safe) home located in a non-evacuation zone.
Make sure your address (number) is clearly marked on your facility.
Whether you rent or own your facility, review your insurance policies with your agent now.

Protecting your facility in advance

Keep your facility in good repair. Make sure loose roofing and siding is tacked down and dead or broken branches from trees are trimmed. Trees should be trimmed up off the ground and away from roofs to reduce the risk of fire as well.
Survey your facility to determine if there are any improvements you can make to make the facility safer. You may contact the Small Business Development Center for an Energy/Mitigation Audit that will identify cost-beneficial improvements for your facility. Or contact a professional engineer or licensed contractor to inspect your home for structural integrity.
Make plans and purchase materials to protect your facility before the storm (plywood panels, steel, aluminum or plastic shutters; plastic sheeting, nails, etc.). Make sure all products meet the Miami-Dade County large missile impact test.
Protect your facility from water and wind damage.