Agency Plant Assessment

Assess the physical characteristics of the agency building or office before disaster strikes so you are prepared to serve clients in the days that follow.

• Identify areas most vulnerable to damage from a hurricane (wind, rain, rising water).
• Determine steps to minimize damage, such as shutters or pre-cut plywood sections for windows, sandbags around doorways, moving equipment to interior portions of the office, etc.
• Identify which items of equipment, furniture, records, and supplies could be moved to safer portions of the office or to off-premises locations.
• Consider the need to elevate certain items off the floor if rising water is a serious threat. Procure the equipment needed, such as blocks of wood or concrete blocks. Smaller items can be stored on desks, or in rest rooms (which are usually interior, windowless rooms).
• If not fully paperless, be prepared to protect and secure all files, manuals, and records. Tape cabinets and drawers shut.
• Cover all equipment, furniture, and file cabinets with plastic (such as Visqueen or garbage bags), and tape tightly. If you have computers or servers on the ground, elevate them to the tops of desks or other higher locations before leaving.
• Before hurricane season, identify promising temporary relocation sites and make contact with the owner or leasing agent so final arrangements can be made in short order after a storm if the need arises.
• Before leaving, unplug all electrical items and turn off breakers.