When a Hurricane watch is announced for Harris County, Equipment and Facilities should prepare for the impending storm.   A Hurricane Watch for the area is usually issued when a Condition 3 has developed.  A Condition 3 means a situation is developing that could be a threat to Harris County in approximately 32-48 hours.

Consideration should be given to:

• Review emergency plan with employees.  Designate and give instructions to employees who will be on call or on duty during the storm.
  
• Update, if required, and distribute phone lists and designate personnel needed for possible clean-up duties immediately after the storm.  Issue radios and other communication devices to key personnel.
  
• Ensure necessary emergency supplies and equipment are on hand and safely stored.
  
• Remove all monies and securities and deposit with the Harris County Treasurer or bank.
  
• Important papers, records and similar materials should be stored in a secure place or, if necessary, moved to a more secure location.
  
• Fuel and service all vehicles and heavy equipment.  Relocate equipment vulnerable to flooding to higher ground.  Fill extra fuel containers.
  
• Check operation and fuel levels of emergency generators and pumps.  Fill extra fuel containers.
  
• Fill spare containers with water or stock additional bottled water.  Stock food supplies for those locations that will be manned during the storm.
  
• Clear off desk and tabletops, remove pictures from walls and cover equipment that cannot be moved from rooms with windows with plastic sheeting.  Close all room doors when building is closed before the storm.
  
• Disconnect all computers and portable electric equipment and move to a secure place away from windows or flood prone areas.  Cover with plastic sheeting.
  
• Evacuate and close facilities in known flood areas early enough to prevent employees form being stranded by rising water.
  
• Monitor radio for weather information and county bulletins. 
   

For more information go to www.hcoem.org