2010 Hurricane Season

2010 Hurricane Season

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) has confirmed that the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on 1 June and may peak between late August and mid-October.  According to hurricane specialists at Colorado State University, this year’s hurricane season will be above-average with eight hurricanes of which four will be major storms.

Whereas some degree of incapacitation may be realistic in hurricane-prone states, there must be reasonable expectation that preparedness measures are ongoing to prevent the reduction of essential services caused by any storm occurring throughout the year.  Necessary preparatory activities inevitably present community leaders of and their first responders with major operational, logistical, and personnel challenges.  Therefore, the EMR-ISAC encourages exclusive focus on those matters that will preserve survivability, continuity, and resilience for this year's hurricanes and all other hazards.

Emergency Services Sector (ESS) organizations nationwide strive for uninterrupted mission-essential task performance before, during, and after catastrophes.  To support this constant struggle by ESS departments and agencies susceptible to hurricanes, the EMR-ISAC offers the following "best practices" gleaned from multiple sources for the consideration of sector leaders:

·         Revise emergency plans to include methods to transport stranded ESS personnel to and from their stations when necessary.

·         Ensure plans include all roads expected to flood during heavy rains, ways to avoid them, and procedures to access emergencies along these roads.

·         Update plans to address "last refuge," and "shutdown," as well as sudden storm change contingencies.

·         Know how to access mass communication technologies to push or pull storm information.

·         Examine the benefits of participation in the National Weather Service Storm Ready Program.

·         Prepare to reset generators that have failed because of low air pressure and high winds commonly associated with hurricanes.

·         Make sure electricity for gas pumps that provide fuel for emergency vehicles and LPG for emergency generators.

·         Move apparatus, vehicles, and equipment to safe, but accessible locations.

·         G each station has sufficient food and supplies for at least 72 hours of non-stop emergency operations.

·         Remain alert for gas leaks, electrical system damage, downed or loose power lines, sewage and water line damage, etc.

·         Remember terrorists or criminals may attempt to take advantage of the distraction caused by natural disasters.