BEFORE A HURRICANE:

• Know your company’s policies and procedures regarding workplace management of a natural disaster
• Learn about hurricane preparation and safety – visit the Fema or Red Cross website
• Track storm activity through the National Weather Service
• Find out whether emergency supplies are on hand or readily obtainable should employees be forced to remain at work for an extended period
• Does your site have a Disaster Manager and/or Crisis Response Team? 
• Take your direction from the Disaster Manager and Crisis Response Team. 
• If you do not have a formal disaster management plan and appointed roles, consider designating someone to maintain contact with human resources, safety, and  operations.  Consider having one person act as a liaison to employee groups   Ensure that these key players maintain communication with one another and coordinate plans.
• Decide how you wish to communicate information to employees 
• Help employees to have appropriate hurricane preparation information and the ability to take necessary steps to protect themselves and their families, within company policies and procedures.
• Let employees know how and where to check the status of the worksite and how often information will be updated.

DURING A HURRICANE:

If employees are at work

• Safety is the first concern
• Stay calm and help others to remain calm 
• Support the designated Disaster Manager and Crisis Response Team to guide and direct employees
• Provide information as you obtain it from an official source
• Offer support
• Allow employees to try and contact family members, if appropriate. Remember that during a storm it is very likely that communication will not be possible.  This is normal.  It can make the situation more challenging for you and your employees

If employees are at home

• Be certain that you are in a safe location and have followed hurricane safety advice for your area
• Be aware of road closures, damage and other risks in your area
• Take care of yourself and your family.
• If appropriate, communicate with employees about their situation, and the workplace plan of action.
• Provide workplace contact information to employees to address questions

AFTER A HURRICANE:

If employees are at work

• Focus on immediate employee health needs: e.g. medication requirements,  physical safety
• Help employees to check on the status of family and property, preferably in private
• Recognize that the impact of the hurricane may affect employee performance and functioning, especially where attention and concentration are concerned

If employees are at home

• Be aware that the event may consume the focus of employees for a period of time as they address basic personal and family needs and assess  damage
• Make sure employees are aware of communication procedures to check on the status of workplace openings/closures

For more information:

www.fema.gov -  extensive information about hurricanes including preparation guidelines and the ability to create custom hazard maps and assess risk by entering a zip code and selecting a hazard type. 

www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml - site of the StormReady program which helps communities with storm preparation

www.redcross.org – more information on how to prepare for a hurricane watch and/or hurricane warning and what to do once the hurricane has passed.

For more information and resources

Contact your EAP Management Consultation Line
Free, confidential support.
Any time, day or night.

Call toll free: [1-800-921-9672]
Or visit: www.aetnaeap.com

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