- **Have a weather radio – there are alarm ones which automatically warn when NOAH issues a warning
- Track the storm via the National Hurricane Center
- Gather your staff and review your disaster plan today. No disaster plan? Put that at the top of the to-do list once the storm passes (and hope you didn’t need it this time).
- If you have a disaster plan, make sure everyone has a printed copy to take home, also pinpointing their individual role. An electronic version may be useless if you lose power.
- Make sure staff, volunteer, and board contact lists are up to date. Determine how you will communicate with one another before, during, and after the storm. Satellite phones are ideal for this and they are relatively inexpensive – especially compared to the cost of losses. Understand that the government will take control of the cellular networks to facilitate their role, but not satellite communications.
- Make sure your insurance and disaster recovery vendor contact information is readily available; preferably in multiple locations away from the anticipated (your) strike area,
- If you don’t already have up-to-date images (photographic/video) of your facility’s exterior and interior, including storage areas, now’s the time to take them. Being able to illustrate how your building and collections looked before damage will be helpful if the need arises to pursue recovery financing.
- Back up electronic records and store the back-ups off-site, preferably away from the local area or in the cloud.
- Secure outdoor furniture, bike racks, book drops, signage, etc. – anything that can become a projectile in fierce winds.
- Move collections that are in areas vulnerable to flooding (i.e., the floor, the basement) or susceptible to rain (near windows or under roofs) out of harm’s way.
- If you have time, cut lengths of plastic sheeting to be able to throw them over shelves, cabinets, or equipment should the building envelope be compromised. We premake them and label their location.
- Know the location and shut-off procedures for water, electricity, and gas.
- Review and regularly update individual or family plans. You’ll feel better attending to your organization knowing that your loved ones are safe. We update ours every six months.
- Download the FEMA mobile appfor disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips. The app (available in English and Spanish) provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters. https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app
- Download the free ERS: Emergency Response and Salvage app, based on the Emergency Response and Salvage Wheel, http://www.conservation-us.org/emergencies/ers-app
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- For tips on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane, go to https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
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- Keep this 24/7 hotline number handy: 202.661.8068. The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice, and can help you to secure assistance.
- Download FEMA’s “After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures” fact sheet, with tips and resources for individuals and institutions,https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/113297
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- Familiarize yourself with the disaster declaration process in case one is declared for your area, https://www.fema.gov/disaster-declaration-process
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- Heed advice from local officials and monitor the situation on your state’s emergency management agency website:
o Louisiana’s Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP): http://gohsep.la.gov/
o Mississippi Emergency Management Agency: http://www.msema.org/
o Alabama Emergency Management Agency: https://ema.alabama.gov/
o Florida Division of Emergency Management: http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
o Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency: http://www.gema.ga.gov/Pages/default.aspx