Hurricanes and Tornadoes Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low‐pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. It is defined as an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well‐defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour (119 km/h) or greater. Tropical storms can also produce significant damage and loss of life, typically due to flooding. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both a cloud base and the surface on the earth. Tornadoes come in many sizes, but are typically in the form of a visible condensation funnel, whose narrow end touches the earth and is often encircled by a cloud of debris. Most tornadoes have wind speeds of 110 miles per hour (177 km/h), are approximately 250 feet (75 m) across, and travel a few miles before dissipating.

In the event of a hurricane or tornado incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. Determine the location, direction, and speed of travel of the storm to evaluate which areas are most susceptible to risk (although changes in direction can occur).
3. If time permits, facilities should seek to board up windows as an emergency solution if storm windows or shutters have not been fitted.
4. Personnel should be moved to a nominated safe room with stocks of emergency stores: water, nonperishable food and medications, and lighting. Or personnel should move to a safe area, such as an interior office, or a closet or bathroom on the lower level of the facility.
5. Personnel should avoid windows, skylights, and glass doors, as debris and strong winds may shatter such structures.
6. Personnel should not leave a safe location when in the eye of a hurricane, but must wait until the storm has passed over; since there will be a short period of calm, followed by a rapid increase in wind speed from the opposite direction.
7. In case of flooding, electricity should be turned off at the main circuit breaker. If the facility loses power, major appliances, such as the air conditioner and water heaters, should be turned off to reduce damage.
8. Personnel should be advised not to touch fallen or low‐hanging wires, and to stay away from puddles with wires in or near them if leaving buildings.
9. Monitoring of radio stations will provide information as to the storm's passage, as well as emergency response measures being taken.
10. Other aspects of the IMP should be carried out as appropriate (regarding flooding, landslides, pandemics, etc.).
11. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report or status report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups