Hurricane season begins on June 1, and forecasters predict the highest number of storms ever. If forecasts are correct, we’ll deal with 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes. It’s unclear whether Florida would be in the path of all those storms, but it’s likely that the Sunshine State will be targeted by at least one storm during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Ahead of hurricane season, it’s prudent to prioritize hurricane preparedness by creating an emergency toolkit, ensuring that you’re adequately insured for wind and flood damage, and making a potential evacuation plan. One more task for business leaders to consider is protecting their properties in an emergency.
The wind and rain from a hurricane aren’t the only threats to your property when a major storm is on the way. You also face the potential of burglary and looting if you evacuate your building for any period. Thieves search for crimes of opportunity, and an unguarded property may meet that standard. One study found that hurricanes increase crime by up to 35%, which is highest for devastating storms. Thankfully, implementing a hurricane preparedness plan with your specific vulnerabilities in mind will reduce security risks and allow you to stay on top of threats.
Hurricane Preparedness: What to Know
- Create a comprehensive plan. If your building is in the path of a storm and you must evacuate, do you know what steps you’d take to secure your property? Knowing where to get sandbags and how to board up windows are all critical parts of any hurricane preparedness plan.
- Install security cameras. Visible security cameras are an incredibly effective way to deter potential criminals from unlawfully entering your property. In some cases, a drop in crime as significant as 50% has been observed after installing security cameras.
- Invest in monitoring. If a security alarm goes off while you’re far away from your property, you won’t be able to intervene. A monitoring service dispatches law enforcement within seconds of an attempted breach, significantly increasing the chances of a perpetrator being arrested.
- Hire a security firm. You have enough on your plate — so don’t create a hurricane security strategy alone. A qualified security firm can help you create a security plan for hurricane season and beyond. Integrated Security Consultants is a Tampa-based electronic security firm specializing in commercial solutions for enterprise organizations. We pride ourselves on providing integrity, solutions, and customer service to our clients. Call us today at 813-254-0033 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.