Hurricane Season is Here–Are You Ready?

Posted by Alicia on 9 June, 2009 in Preservation, disaster

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) forecasters say a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely for 2009, with a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). With 35 million people living in regions threatened by hurricanes, the need to prepare for the possibility of a storm striking near you is essential.

Hurricane season runs from June 1^st to November 30. Storm surges, tornadoes, high winds, and flooding are all possibilities in hurricane-prone areas. Institutions in the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts should plan ahead and remain vigilant throughout the hurricane season.

What can you do to prepare yourself? Make sure that your institution has an up-to-date disaster plan. For those who already have a disaster plan, replenish supplies, update emergency contact information, review emergency procedures and assess possible threats to your collections.

The Preservation Field Services Department has many resources available to help you.

Our Disaster Resources pages include an emergency response checklist, disaster recovery resources (arranged by format and type of disaster), and disaster planning and prevention information. New for this year we have included a few templates for a pocket emergency plan for your institutions to use and adapt as needed (thanks to CoSA).

We also provide 24/7 disaster assistance service. You can contact Lyrasis Preservation Field Services at 800-999-8558. After hours, you will be directed to an answering service; tell the operator you need to speak with someone from Preservation Field Services.

In addition to our online resources, we have several classes related to disaster planning. Classes include Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Recovery (for library and archival materials) and Disaster Recovery for Museum Collections, Developing a Disaster Plan, Hurricane Preparedness and Emergency 911: Decision Making for Managers.

Other resources include:

· National Task Force on Emergency Response

· Federal Emergency Management Agency

· National Hurricane Center

Don’t let the 2009 hurricane season catch you unprepared. For more ideas on ways to protect your institution, contact Lyrasis Preservation Services.