From the Executive Director

Juan A. Navejar Jr.

June 1st marked the beginning of the 2013 hurricane season. Each year South Texas faces some kind of threat from mother nature. We take action to protect our home and person belonging but what about your business or company?
I myself went through Hurricane Andrew while in the Air Force and know personally the effects of losing valuable assets.
Here are some tips to protect your self before and after a natural disaster.
You should develop some kind of written plan. This includes training employees to implement it. Make sure you address the protection of the business and equipment.
The plan should identify essential employees and which of them, if any, must remain at the facility during the hurricane. The policy should identify when employees will be released from work as well as when they are expected to return. Businesses may predetermine that employees will return to work when employees are ordered to return, in case telephone service is out.
Identify and protect vital records such as accounts receivable, customer records, tax records, and other personnel and administrative documents. Back up computers as soon as a Watch is issued of imminent danger. Don’t wait until Warnings are issued as you may be pressed for time.  Identify a safe storage level area within the facility where records can be relocated, if necessary. This area should be above ground level and away from windows and exterior walls, which may leak. In a one-story facility, file cabinets and boxes may be placed on pallets up off the floor. Consider moving vital records off-site, particularly if the business is in a storm-surge vulnerable area.
Review insurance policies to ensure that there is adequate coverage.
Questions to ask include:
Is the facility in a high hazard, evacuation area?
Does the insurance package include wind/storm coverage?
Is the facility located in a flood prone area and is the flood insurance adequate? 
Does insurance cover damage to contents, including vital records and office equipment?
Does the package include liability coverage for injury to employees as well as potential lawsuits from customers?
Compile an Emergency Contact List with 24-hour telephone contact numbers of essential employees.
Determine responsibility for maintaining the facility. Ensure that the following items are addressed: Patch roofs and windows; Check security and flood lighting; Identify lightweight, loose items in outside storage areas that may be blown around in the wind; Identify emergency power requirements and determine if generator is available. If facility must be operational during a hurricane and a generator is not available, rent or purchase a generator. Test generator monthly during the hurricane season.
Determine if computer support will be available for primary/ critical computer users who need to remain operational during a hurricane.
Verify that communications equipment is operational.
Determine the type and amount of hurricane emergency supplies necessary. All hurricane emergency supplies should be clearly marked and stored in a secure area that is accessible in an emergency.  
If a Warning is given, make sure you secure all doors, windows, and other openings against wind and water. Tie down or bring indoors any objects which may be blown about by hurricane winds. Install hurricane shutters, cover windows with boards, or close drapes. If a room must be occupied during the hurricane and window protection is not available, windows may be crisscrossed with tape to slightly reduce flying glass.
Ensure that all vehicles are serviced and fueled. Determine where they can be stored to safely weather the storm.
Dismiss essential employees temporarily so they can secure their personal property before returning to duty.
Most of these are common sense, but don’t get caught up in the moment or wait until the last minute and find out you are not prepared.