Hurricane Season is upon us. Over the last few years, we’ve learned a lot about how to be more prepared for weather emergencies.
Remember, when there is an impending storm, your leadership team will begin monitoring the situation and provide updates to all staff.
While we are hoping for a mild season, we need to prepare our workspaces for impending storms with intention. Below are a few tips to think about for preparing your office should we experience a storm this season.
Remember to protect important and confidential documents. Store them in waterproof containers and remove all paper files from lower shelves and off the floor just in case your office floods.
If possible, digitize the documents but remember to take any paper documents with you that you may need just in case the office is inoperable for a time after the storm.
Remember to unplug computers, printers, extension cords, and phones and place these items on an elevated surface away from the floor to avoid water damage from flooding.
Important documents should also be removed from your desktop just in case water comes into the building from above.
If you have documents on a bulletin board (on your walls) consider removing them as water coming from a roof leak could damage those documents.
Your supervisor will notify you in advance of any office closures. Once you are notified, be prepared for the possibility that our offices may be closed for an extended period of time. If and when the leadership team determines the office will be closed, you will need to have taken everything with you to be able to work remotely for the time the office may be closed. In most cases, you’ll be expected to work your normal hours remotely for as long as you have electricity and connectivity.
You’ll need to ensure that you have taken with you and have access to important files, contact information, and any other important documents you may need to continue working if the office is closed temporarily.
