Organizations operating along the Gulf Coast, Atlantic coastline, and island territories face recurring risks from tropical storms and hurricanes. To protect workers, critical equipment, and operational continuity, preparedness must be systematic not reactive. Effective hurricane readiness integrates emergency response, continuity planning, storm surge evaluation, and post-storm recovery controls.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) provides seasonal and event-based storm monitoring resources that support early planning decisions. These tools help organizations establish trigger points for securing materials, staging equipment, modifying work schedules, or initiating evacuation procedures (National Hurricane Center, 2025).

At the employer level, OSHA requires a written and trained Emergency Action Plan (EAP) outlining evacuation routes, communication chains, alarm systems, and personnel accountability. The plan must be accessible and understood by workers at all levels of the organization (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2025).

To ensure continuity of operations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends establishing resilience strategies that include authority delegation, backup worksites, protected communication channels, and prioritized recovery tasks. The Continuity Guidance Circular provides a clear framework for aligning emergency actions with organizational mission needs (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2024).

One of the most severe risks during hurricanes is storm surge, which can rapidly cause life-threatening flooding. Surge risk often exceeds wind damage potential and must guide evacuation planning and site layout. The NHC’s storm surge resources help identify predicted inundation areas and local risk zones (National Hurricane Center, 2024).

Facilities that store oil or fuel are required to manage environmental risks through the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule, ensuring secondary containment and controls to prevent discharges during flooding or structural impact (Oil Pollution Prevention, 2025)

During recovery, one of the most frequently overlooked hazards is carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generator use. Generators must be operated outdoors and away from windows, doors, and vents. The CDC provides concise bilingual guidance for workforce communication and field briefings (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024).

Organizations that excel in hurricane readiness typically integrate four core practices:

1. Defined storm-triggered decision points tied to NHC updates
2. Regular drills and briefings before each hurricane season
3. Continuity-of-operations planning connected to critical functions
4. Structured after-action reviews to drive continuous improvement

How Key Safety LLC Supports Hurricane Preparedness

Key Safety LLC delivers:

• Customized Hurricane-Specific Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Annexes
• 72-hour and 24-hour equipment and site shutdown checklists
• Pre-season tabletop exercises for leadership and field teams
• Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) aligned to FEMA standards
• SPCC and hazardous materials storm-readiness compliance support
• Bilingual worker briefings and toolbox talks

Strengthening readiness protects people, supports continuity, and positions your organization as a reliable partner during regional disruption.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 11). Generator Safety Fact Sheet. National Center for Environmental Health. https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/factsheets/generator-safety-fact-sheet.html

Standard for Oil Pollution Prevention. 40 C.F.R. Part 112. (2025) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/part-112

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2024, August 21). Continuity Guidance Circular. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/continuity/circular

National Hurricane Center. (2024). Storm Surge Overview (text). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/?text=

National Hurricane Center. (2025). National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Standard for Emergency action plans. 29 C.F.R. § 1910.38. (2002) https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.38

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2025). eTool: Evacuation Plans and Procedures—Emergency Action Plan. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/etools/evacuation-plans-procedures/eap