Preparations for hurricane season begin well before a storm has a name or predicted track. Distribution facility leaders who plan ahead, and update those plans, often can mitigate the cost of damage, minimize disruption, and evenly distribute the workload of cleanup.

Knowledge is power, and having an intimate understanding of the facility and its weak points makes preparation and recovery much easier. Managers can better protect their operation when they know the areas of concern. This, in turn, supports cleanup crews’ access to the right materials in the right quantities.

Before hurricane season starts, keep track of the following:

Count the windows and exterior doors at your location. Measure each of them, and keep that documented, preferably on cloud-based software that you can access even if you aren’t able to get to the facility.

Verify if there are existing storm shutters. If not, consider adding them to your facility well before the threats of hurricane season. Check with landlords to ensure that drilling around windows is allowed, and make the case that this will be a protective measure for the building. A good alternative would be to invest in board-up clips, and estimate about four per window.

Locate your building’s floor plan and keep it handy, both in print and digitally. You’ll also want to make sure your location has tape measures handy for last-minute measurements and adjustments.

Utilize some of your storage space for Quick Dam sandbags. They expand when wet, so they’re easy to store until the moment they’re needed.

Stay informed throughout the season when storms might be heading your way. Keep up to date with local weather forecasts and consider subscribing to dedicated storm tracking sites so you can be notified at the earliest opportunity.

Quality preventative maintenance is key in preventing damage from hurricane-force winds and rain. Special attention to the little things that might otherwise be overlooked is especially important when you want your facility in its best defensive shape.

Each year, the frequency and intensity of hurricanes reach new records. Hurricane season is also starting earlier, making storm preparation more critical than ever. As an example, the rapid intensification and record-breaking early formation of Hurricane Beryl in July caused significant damage in Houston, a city familiar with the dangers of major storms. While power outages, flooded streets and downed limbs are often unavoidable, you can protect your facilities from broken windows, flooding and eventual mold growth with some proactive measures before the storm hits. Remember to:  

Clear gutters around the facility and make sure all drains are flowing smoothly. This helps to avoid pooling water which can cause structural damage or mold growth.

Keep up with routinely scheduled roof inspections and maintenance. Know the last time it was inspected, and keep track of any major weather events that might have had an effect on your roofing.

Conduct a thorough inspection of windows and door seals. The last thing you want is an otherwise completely sealed building developing a future mold issue due to one leaky seal.

Facing severe weather is tough, but with a bit of planning, you can manage through hurricane season more efficiently. The first step is to maintain detailed and recorded data about the status of your facility. Then, intervene early when issues arise. In the process, you can help to ease some of the extra and potentially unforeseen stresses of hurricane season.

Michael DiTaranto is senior director of service delivery at TrueSource.