With peak wind speeds that exceed 186 mph, engineering and construction firms that operate in the “hurricane belt” are acutely aware of the hazards that hurricanes pose to construction sites.

Structures under construction often have incomplete or temporarily supported weakened structural systems, unsecured building envelopes, loose materials and debris, temporary structures and susceptible construction equipment.

Construction debris can become projectiles, damaging building components and structures. Windows, doors, roofs and building openings, even if secured, can be damaged and allow water to infiltrate the building envelope. Partially secured walls, shored floors and structures under construction may be at high risk for collapse from wind loadings.

A storm surge can flood and damage low-lying structures, foundations and retaining walls. Cranes and other equipment can collapse and/or be damaged by high winds or flying debris.

With proper planning, contractors can minimize the impact and expedite project recovery from this extreme weather event.

Prepare a hurricane action plan

Hurricane preparedness should be considered if the construction site is located in a hurricane-prone area with construction ongoing between the months of June through November in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico region; May to November in the Eastern Pacific region; and June to November in the Central Pacific Basin.

If the site is located in these risk-prone areas, a Hurricane Action Plan should be assembled. It is critical that this plan is created during the site planning stages of the project and not left until news of an impending storm. If the plan is to be useful, project-specific thought and consideration are required.

Pre-construction planning checklist ahead of a hurricane

Key personnel should maintain hard copies of all critical lists and the Hurricane Action Plan in the event that electronic files cannot be accessed due to loss of electrical power. Like all good disaster recovery plans, the documents should not be solely stored on the project site, which could be impacted by the event and therefore be inaccessible to key personnel.

Establish a Person-in-Charge who will take control during an emergency, initiate the established plan and assign emergency responsibility roles. This person should also be responsible for ensuring all roles are filled, and team members are trained regularly, typically the project manager (PM) or assistant PM.

Develop two teams: a Hurricane Response team (for the period before a storm event) and a Hurricane Recovery team (for the period following a storm event).

Maintain an emergency phone list for all hurricane response and recovery personnel and key subcontractors and vendors. The phone list should be kept current and should include both work-related and personal home numbers, cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Create a flow chart indicating the order of who is to be called.

Establish an off-site “war room” and emergency communications control center in the event that an evacuation is required. This can be as simple as a hotel room, home office or a corporate office location. Determine procedures for communication and a rallying point, as well as when a return to the site is expected.

Monitor the weather during the hurricane season in potentially affected areas. The Person-in-Charge will assign responsibility for monitoring the weather and tracking the storm once it reaches tropical storm strength and becomes a “named storm.” The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration website can be used for this purpose.

Preparations during a hurricane warning (24 to 36 hours before a hurricane makes landfall)

Make a video/photographic record of the job site and surrounding properties to document the project’s condition and status prior to the storm.

Secure all exterior building openings, doors and windows. Consider temporary bracing for large doors that are not designed for high wind loads.

Address housekeeping items; Remove all debris from site and roof; Secure materials that cannot be moved by placing them in interior building locations or bind them to secure structures; Remove or safely store all hazardous and flammable materials; Make sure that all roof drains are operational, roof caps/ strainers are in place and scuppers are free of obstructions.

Back up all important critical computer data. Store data backup off-site. Unplug and move computers to as high an elevation as possible, in the middle of a room and away from windows.

De-energize power (especially temporary electrical service) at the circuit breakers, as close to the main power breaker as possible. Unplug all electrical equipment.

Shut down all gas lines as far back to the main as is feasible to prevent a gas release or a fire. At the same time, shut down all water lines that are not used for fire protection as far back to the supply point as is feasible.

Consider having cash available for recovery operations. If telephone and power are out, cash may be the only accepted form of payment. Cash may be required for food, materials, fuel, paying contractors or even paying employees.

Implement building code requirements governing hurricane and high-wind preparations for cranes and hoisting equipment. Some municipalities establish fines and penalties for not following the storm and high-wind-event precautions for hoisting equipment.

Fuel all vehicles and emergency equipment (such as generators).

Construction equipment should be moved to a location as far as possible from trees, structures or electrical wires, which could fall on them during a storm. Equipment, with brakes set, should also be relocated to as high an elevation as possible to reduce the likelihood of water damage and improve future access to equipment.

If employees are to remain onsite to operate pumps or minimize damage, safety is critical. Consideration must be given to the security of the shelter taken during the storm from a structural, flooding, storm-surge and projectile-impact standpoint. Depending on the severity of the storm, onsite personnel must be self-sufficient (potentially for several weeks) and will require provisions. The choice to remain during the storm, if absolutely necessary, must be entirely voluntary, well-considered and not taken lightly.

Hurricane recovery checklist

Always ensure that a safety manager is present prior to beginning a hurricane recovery operation. Determine if the site is safe to enter and what hazards are present. Recovery personnel must be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This should include, but not be limited to, hardhats, steel-toed boots, eye protection, gloves, respirators, chemical protective suits, etc.

Workers should take extra care when walking through standing water, as it can mask hidden hazards, such as depressions, sharp debris, tripping hazards, etc., and can contain chemicals and harbor disease.

If power lines are down, consider them as energized “live” until verified to be de-energized. Beware of electrical lines in standing water.

Evaluate structures before entering (if required, utilize a structural engineer). Repairs may be required to make the structure safe prior to entry. Use caution when removing damaged building components so as not to further compromise and possibly collapse the structure.

Investigate the site for dangerous conditions, such as collapse, live wires, leaking gas, piping damage or situations that could start a fire.

Document damages in writing, using photos or videos if necessary. Involve subcontractors, owner’s representatives, design professionals, electricians and other staff, as required.

Establish repair priorities. Identify critical hazards that must be abated prior to allowing the entire construction staff to resume construction.

Have each Subcontractor prepare a damage assessment report in writing within 24-28 hours of returning to site and providing these reports to the General Contractor.