08/26/2015
As TS Erika bears down on the Caribbean, her projected path is right through our backyard and that is no joking matter. While we all hope and pray that she breaks up before she gets here, the team at WOM is working long hours to review backups and safety measures to ensure that our WOM and our Sentinel Clients are as prepared as possible to deal with a potentially dangerous scenario.
At WOM, we are always here to help. If you need additional assistance with preparing your IT systems before the storm or getting them back up and running afterwards feel free to call or email the help desk.
[email protected]
(772) 245-2107 Option #1
In the even that our facilities are rendered unusable, we are able to operate remotely and continue support of our Sentinel Clients. While service delays may occur, issues can be prevented before the storm much easier than they can be fixed afterwards. We are working on our end to prepare for the worst while we all hope for the best.
I also wanted to send out a personal note and some helpful tips that you can take into consideration as you prepare for impact.
As a storm approaches, you should prepare your work facilities, your house and your yard.
Here are some things to consider:
Before a Storm...
• Turn down the temperature on your freezer and refrigerator as low as possible. This will buy you more time in the event of a power loss. 24 to 48 hours before will cool your food products and extend their preservation. Avoid opening them whenever possible.
• If local authorities tell you to evacuate LISTEN. I was in Mississippi day 6 after Hurricane Katrina hit. Please, don’t become another tragic story like some that I heard while I was there!
• Prior to evacuation, call at least one person out of state to let them know your plans.
• Ensure that your Hurricane Emergency Kit is fully stocked. At my house we keep a fully stocked “bug out bags” in case we need to skip town. We also keep a “bug in kit” in case we’re stuck in the house for a week or two.
• Charge electronic devices like laptop computers, cell phones, rechargeable batteries, razors, and the like.
• Computers and IT equipment: save and backup any unsaved work, shut down and unplug computers. Printers and battery backups should also be unplugged. If your desktop pc and/or battery backup are on the floor move them to an elevated location in case of flooding. Unplug anything hard wired to the router as this can be a conduit for a lightning strike.
• Make extra ice, bag it and put it back in your freezer or coolers - this will be useful to keep the freezer and refrigerator cold as well as extra water supply.
• Do the same with your home air conditioner. It gets very hot and very humid very quickly so cool your home and office in preparation for lack of AC.
• If you have a generator, do NOT run it inside or near the house, but make sure you have fuel to run it.
• Make sure your vehicles and other portable tanks are filled with fuel. Even after the storm there could be a lack of fuel supply.
• Pick up yard debris - furniture, tools, decorative items, branches - anything loose that could become a missile. We have placed furniture in the pool upon occasion.
• Secure boats, trailers, campers, RVs, and the like in the safest place you can find. Tie them down, anchor them, or however you can best secure them. But, take into account that there may be a storm surge.
• Secure all doors and windows with locks, and shutters if available. Plywood, properly secured, can be effective. Don't forget your garage doors.
• Move items that may be damaged by water to higher areas of your home if you cannot take them with you when evacuating. Move them away from windows in case they are broken.
• Huge items must even be secured in big storms. An engine block was found 40 or 50 feet up in a pine tree in the Homestead (actually Redlands) area after Hurricane Andrew. Don't think that something is too big to be moved by the wind.
• Re-check tie-downs on AC units, sheds, etc.
• Bring cars, bikes, scooters and anything like that into your garage if possible.
• Bring in grills or other cooking items.
• Bring in hoses, trash cans, hot tub covers, wind-chimes, plants.
• Caulk/seal and fill bathtubs - extra water comes in handy for toilets and more.
• It may sound strange, but do your laundry, dishes, and take a shower. Why? Because if you lose power, having as much clean as possible will make a big difference.
• Check if your pool pump should be on or off.
• Close and fasten gates so they don't swing.
• Close chimney flues.
• Close/latch inside doors and cabinets.
• GET BATTERIES! Flashlights, and other battery operated items may come in more handy than you think.
• Check Fire Extinguishers to make sure you have enough and they are fully charged.
• If you have time, help your neighbors. Debris in their yards can easily impact your home and yard. Forward this checklist to them and help them anyway you can. No one wants to have to rescue a neighbor or friend unless absolutely necessary so helping them prepare will help you.
During a storm...
• Stay inside, away from windows
• Be alert for tornadoes
• Stay away from flood waters and storm surge. It can be deceptively strong.
• Be aware of the eye. It may be calm, but winds can and will pick up quickly and could catch you outside.
• Un-plug electronic devices that are not in use to avoid surge damage. This is less likely than during thunderstorms because lightening is rare in a hurricane, but it is better to be safe and take downed power lines and transformers into account.
After a Storm...
• Know power safety - avoid downed lines
• Know food safety - what is good and for how long.
• Chain saw safety is critical
• Generator safety is important too
• Water treatment - whether water needs to be boiled or not.
• Listen to local officials
• Use flashlights instead of candles
• Inspect your home for damage.
• Stay off roads as much as possible emergency personnel will be hard at work and less traffic means less casualties. If you’re not part of the solution…well… stay home!
• You may need to super-chlorinate your pool but check with your pool service or local pool company.
For more information, here are some helpful links regarding storm preparedness and helpful tips:
http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php
http://www.miamidade.gov/hurricane/library/hurricane-guide.pdf
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