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Every year, from June until right around November, hurricane-force winds are prominent in the South Eastern US, making supply chain preparation essential for logistics operations. Many of these hurricanes can reach speeds in excess of 150mph. This is the dreaded hurricane season. It is this time of year that sees economic disruptions, billions in property damage, and even fatalities. And while there is nothing that can be done to avoid hurricanes, a little hurricane preparation goes a long way!
Warehouses, carrier services, and distribution centers are all also affected by the hurricane season. In fact, we figured it was a good time to put together a list of the best proactive measures distribution centers (or really anyone) can take to ensure they ride out the storm safely.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the top 7 must-have supplies that distribution centers should have on hand. These supplies help ensure the safety and protection of all employees and visitors.
Stock up on Water
When a hurricane arrives, the excessive winds and flooding can contaminate the local drinking water supply and sewage system. This will render all potable water unusable for human consumption. Since temperatures and humidity levels elevate during a hurricane, plenty of bottled water is critical. The general rule of thumb is that you should have about 1 gallon per person per day. Furthermore, this supply should be able to last a minimum of 2 weeks. Water is a vital part of any tropical storm or hurricane preparation procedure.
During Hurricane Katrina, Sandy, and Michael, the leading commodity sold at grocery stores within a week of a forecasted hurricane was drinking water. So, don’t delay, maintain an ample supply of drinking water in your inventory during the hurricane season.
When it comes time to hunker down, knowing you already have plenty of water takes some of the stress out of the situation.
Food Storage
In addition to drinking water, a distribution center should also keep at least 3 to 7 days-worth of dry-goods food.
Essential food supplies include:
- Non-perishable packaged food
- Canned food that can be prepared indoors or outdoors
- Propane stoves for cooking
Solar Power or Generator System with Ample Fuel
One of the first items that will go out during a hurricane or tropical storm is electricity. For distribution centers with cold-storage facilities, this can lead to significant problems.
The potential of cooling systems running hot can lead to thousands or millions in damaged product. To avoid this potential issue, establishing a solar-powered or robust generator system that can power your facility for at least two weeks without electricity is crucial.
Waterproof Containers
In the event of flooding, maintaining vital records is exceptionally important. Waterproof containers are perfect for this!
While it’s less likely for flooding to occur in upstairs offices, those with single-story facilities should create a plan for keeping vital records, computer files, and other important documents safe and secure.
What happens if flooding destroys your critical records? By storing all physical documents in a cloud-based system, you can avoid losing it all.
First Aid Kits and Medications
Another potential issue with hurricanes is physical injuries.
Whether it is due to blown-out glass or falling objects, warehouse safety risks increase triple-fold during a hurricane. While you should always keep an ample and fully stocked first aid kit throughout the year, this becomes even more critical during the hurricane season.
Sanitation and Personal Hygiene Supplies
In the event that employees or vendors are stuck at the distribution center to wait out a hurricane, it’s important to have plenty of sanitation and personal hygiene items for everyone. After all, you never truly know how long you will be trapped there.
A good idea is to invest in some anti-microbial hand cleaning wipes as they are beneficial for removing dirt, debris, and oils. These things are lifesavers when there is no water for cleaning available.
Lights and Communication Equipment
Another important set of hurricane preparation items; battery-operated devices.
Battery-operated devices to keep on hand include:
- Radios
- Clocks
- Other communication devices
A radio on-hand and set to local emergency stations for updates proves very useful. Better yet, keep an NOAA weather radio at the facility for such events. As a proactive measure, make sure to replace the batteries every June, even if the radios haven't been touched.
Final Thoughts
For the most part, advanced warning systems do a good job of alerting people to a storm. However, many distribution center employees may still find themselves stuck inside a warehouse for the duration of the storm. By being proactive about your safety and hurricane preparation steps, you can keep those inside the facility safe and secure, reduce the potential of spoilage, and rebound quickly after these devastating storms pass.
FAQs
What should be in a distribution center hurricane preparation checklist?
A distribution center hurricane preparation checklist should include drinking water, non-perishable food, backup power, waterproof storage for critical records, first aid supplies, sanitation items, and battery-operated lights and communication tools. The article recommends planning for at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for 2 weeks, plus 3 to 7 days of dry-goods food and enough fuel or battery backup to keep operations safe.
How much water should a distribution center store for hurricane season?
A distribution center should store about 1 gallon of water per person per day, with enough supply to last at least 2 weeks. Hurricane flooding and wind damage can contaminate local water and sewage systems, so bottled water is one of the most important emergency supplies to have on hand before a storm arrives.
Why is backup power so important for a warehouse during a hurricane?
Backup power is critical because electricity is often the first utility to fail during a hurricane or tropical storm. For cold-storage facilities, a generator or solar-powered system that can run for at least two weeks helps prevent refrigeration failures, which can lead to spoiled product and major financial loss.
How can a distribution center protect important records from hurricane flooding?
A distribution center can protect vital records by storing them in waterproof containers and keeping physical documents backed up in a cloud-based system. This matters most in single-story facilities or any location exposed to flooding, since water damage can destroy paper files, computer records, and other essential business information.
What food and supplies should employees have if they are stuck at a distribution center during a hurricane?
Employees should have 3 to 7 days of dry-goods food, including non-perishable packaged food, canned food that can be prepared indoors or outdoors, and propane stoves for cooking. It is also smart to keep sanitation and personal hygiene supplies available, since staff or vendors may need to remain on-site longer than expected.
What communication tools should a warehouse keep during hurricane season?
A warehouse should keep battery-operated radios, clocks, and other communication devices available during hurricane season. An NOAA weather radio is especially useful for receiving local emergency updates, and batteries should be replaced every June so the equipment is ready before storms begin.
What first aid and safety supplies should a distribution center keep for hurricanes?
A distribution center should keep a fully stocked first aid kit and needed medications on hand before hurricane season starts. Storms increase warehouse safety risks because of blown-out glass, falling objects, and other hazards, so medical supplies need to be easy to reach and current when an emergency happens.
