Project Impact’s
Prevention and Preparedness Guidelines
on El Nino
A particularly severe weather pattern, known as El Niño, ravaged many parts of the country this winter. It brought a series of weather changes throughout the United States including flooding, hurricanes and severe snowstorms. FEMA believes it is important that businesses, communities and individuals take the necessary steps to prevent damage to life and property and to prepare before severe weather strikes again. FEMA recommends taking the following steps to help prevent damage and loss for businesses, communities and individuals.
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Business
 Develop business interruption plans and implement hazard reduction measures to minimize the loss of jobs and business activity. Know which employees will be unavailable to work in times of crisis because of other obligations, such as children or the elderly. Have a back-up business location. Keep up-to-date emergency phone numbers for employees.
Purchase applicable insurance and know your assets. Standard insurance does NOT include earthquake or flood insurance. Contact your business insurance agent to ensure your business is covered for all risks. If your business is located in a flood-prone area, purchase flood insurance. Take inventory of your assets and videotape the interior and exterior of your facility.
Line up alternate vendors for essential supplies and equipment.Sign contracts on these items, if necessary, to avoid last minute competition.Have back-up equipment and know availability.
Contact your state or local emergency management office or building official, or a FEMA regional office for more information on protecting your business through hazard reduction.
Encourage local community prevention efforts that reduce the risk to critical local infrastructures like electricity, water and roads. All of these are necessary for the continued operation of your business.
Promote awareness of hazard reduction solutions among your employees, customers and the public.
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Communities
Ensure the safety or redundancy of critical public records. Remove vital records from basement storage areas.
Adopt policies now that will ensure that if flooding does occur, community redevelopment plans and actions will minimize future flood losses.
Predetermine hazard reduction priorities for post disaster development.
In urban wildfire risk areas, trim or remove brush and other hazardous vegetation that is located close to schools, libraries, hospitals or any other pubic buildings.
Replace them with vegetation that resists or retards fires, where possible.
Use an existing or establish a new coalition of the pubic and private sectors to arrange a community disaster hazard reduction day.
Partner with hardware stores, nurseries, volunteer groups, businesses, banks, insurance companies and others to carry out risk reduction actions.
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Individuals How to Reduce Your Risk from: Floods Move valuables and appliances out of the basement of your home or business if it is prone to flooding. By doing so, you increase the chances that your belongings will be safe and sound when a flood occurs.
Elevate the main breaker or fuse box and the utility meters at our home or business above the anticipated flood level so that flood water won’t damage your utilities.
Buy flood insurance to cover the value of your home and its contents. Not only will insurance give you greater peace of mind, but it will also greatly speed your recovery if a flood occurs. To learn more about insurance, call 1-800-638-6620 or contact your local insurance agent.
Wildfire Move shrubs and other landscaping away from the sides of your home or deck. All to often homes burn when plants around them catch fire.
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Steps to
