FGCU Environmental Health and Safety Hurricane Preparedness Plan
Introduction
Hurricane Terms
Hurricane Wind Speed Scale
Hurricane Preparedness
Local Media Information
Emergency Web Site Information
Emergency Public Shelters
University Community
FGCU Recovery
Hurricane Assessment
Other Useful Information
Forms
Hurricane Information
EHS will like to inform all of you regarding hurricane preparedness for this upcoming
hurricane season. As you well know, in previous hurricane seasons, we (FGCU)
sustained some damage during the windstorms of 04’ and 05’ and the impact it had on
university budgets when trying to get back to pre-hurricane conditions. This document
will focus on previous years cost, preparedness steps, and hurricane assessment.
Hurricane Terms
The following are definitions of terms, used by the National Hurricane Center in their
forecasts, which will help you better understand the extent of the threat posed by a
hurricane.
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Advisory: A formal message from the National Hurricane Center, issued every
six hours, providing details on location, intensity and movement of a tropical
cyclone.
Hurricane Eye: The relatively calm area near the center of a storm. The duration
of the "Calm" may last from several minutes to over an hour, depending on the
size and speed of the hurricane. The "Calm" usually ends suddenly as winds
return, possibly with even greater force.
Hurricane Warning: This warning indicates that a hurricane, with sustained
winds of at least 74 mph, is expected within 24 hours or less. At this point,
hurricane preparedness plans should be finalized. Hurricane warnings are seldom
issued more than 24 hours in advance, and in cases of hurricanes with unusual or
erratic paths, the warning may be issued only a few hours before landfall.
Hurricane Watch: A hurricane watch indicates that hurricane conditions are a
strong possibility and may threaten a given area within 36 hours. This advisory
does not necessarily mean a hurricane is imminent; however, you must initiate
your hurricane preparedness activities.
Intermediate advisories: Advisories are issued at two or three hour intervals,
between regularly schedules advisories, whenever a storm nears a coast.
Storm Surge: A dome-like rise in ocean level associated with a hurricane. The
difference between this abnormal rise in sea level and the level that normally
occurs is called the storm surge. It is highest along and to the immediate right of
the location where the eye of the hurricane strikes land.
Tornado Warning: If a tornado is reported in the area, a warning will be issued.
Tornadoes spawned by hurricanes are capable of producing severe damage and
casualties.
Tropical Depression: A non-frontal low-pressure system that usually originates
in the tropics, it rotates counter clockwise and achieves maximum sustained winds
of 38 mph.
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Tropical Storm: A non-frontal low-pressure system that usually originates in the
tropics, it rotates counter clockwise and achieves maximum sustained winds of 73
mph.
Tropical Storm Warning: This warning indicates that there is a strong
possibility that a storm, with a wind speed of 39 to 73 mph, which could strike a
given area within 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Watch: A tropical storm evolves from a tropical depression.
This advisory means that a tropical storm could threaten a given area within 36
hours.
Hurricane wind speed - Saffir-Simpson Scale
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Category 1 Hurricane – Wind speed between 74-95mph.
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Category 2 Hurricane – Wind speed between 96-110mph.
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Category 3 Hurricane- Wind speed between 111-130mph.
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Category 4 Hurricane – Wind speed between 131-155mph.
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Category 5 Hurricane – Wind speed greater than 156mph.
Hurricane Preparedness
Planning and preparing are two steps that are very important steps when an imminent
storm is approaching our area.
Have an evacuation plan ready. Are you staying home or leaving town? Please decide
and make necessary arrangements if you are staying home, leaving town, or going to a
public shelter.
Staying Home
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If you are staying home here are some things to consider.
Do you have protective devices for windows?
Different styles available from local vendors:
Window protective devices types
Cost
Automatic rolled down shutters
Very expensive
Accordion shutters
Moderately expensive
Metal or fiberglass awning shutters
Moderately expensive
Bahamas or Colonial awning shutters
Moderately expensive
Regular unlocked storm panel
Least expensive
Plywood shutters
Least expensive
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Do you have bottle water, flashlight, canned food or other non-perishable food,
medications, first aid kit, battery operated radio, generator, batteries, blankets, and
sanitary supplies?
If you have pets, do you have adequate supplies for them?
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Do you have your insurance papers in order?
Fill up your car gas tank in case you decide to leave town.
Leaving Home
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Choose a hotel in another state or far away from the path of storm and arrange in
advance, if possible. Some hotels will let you make reservations a few days in
advance, so try to book a room.
Make sure your vehicle has battery cables, flashlight, first aid kit, tools, spare tire
and road maps.
Make sure your vehicle had its monthly checkup. Change oil; fill up tank and checks
liquids before you leave.
Pack clothes for at least 3 days.
Always check our university webpage for updates of when the university will reopen.
Give your cell phone number to your supervisor or on an index card make a list of
your co-workers phone numbers.
Staying at Public Shelters
If you staying at public shelters, please contact your local public shelter to find out
when they will be open for shelter.
 Ensure you take the proper measures when considering staying at a public
shelter. Some shelters may not permit dogs or cats unless they are animals
for people with disabilities.
 Bring towels, change of clothes, and hygiene products to shelter.
 Bring a cooler for ice, drinks, and perishable foods.
 If permitted, bring sleeping bags, blankets, pillows or inflatable beds.
Shelters most likely will not have these items due to limited inventory.
 Bring books, small games, magazines for entertainment.
 Bring a battery operated radio or DVD player.
 Bring a chair, preferably those that fold in a carrying bag.
Local Media
Stay tuned to your local radio stations to listen to current updates on storm.
Here is a list of radio stations you can tune in for update local news.
FM Stations
AM Stations
WGCU 90.1
WWCN 700
WSOR 90.9
WKII 1070
WINK 96.9
WINK 1200/1240
WRLR 100.1
WNOG 1270
WAVV 101.1
WCRM 1350 (Spanish)
WXKB 103.9
WWCL 1440 (Spanish)
WCKT 107.1
WCCF 1580
Emergency Websites
In the event you need emergency assistance, one of these agencies can provide assistance.
Here is a list of websites that can be of assistance.
CSU Department of Atmospheric Science
Emergency Management – Charlotte
County Government
Collier County : Emergency Management
Department of Homeland Security |
Preserving our Freedoms, Protecting
America
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Welcome to FloridaDisaster.org
American Red Cross
Lee County, Florida Division of Public
Safety - Emergency
Management/Emergency Operations
Center
National Hurricane Center
Emergency Public Shelters
This is a partial list of emergency public shelters in Lee County.
Here is a partial list of emergency public shelters.
Alico Arena
Alva Elementary
12181 FGCU Lake Pkwy East
17500 Church Street
Alva Middle School
Bonita Springs YMCA
21219 N. River Road
27200 Kent Road
Colonial Elementary, Fort Myers
Dunbar High School
3800 Schoolhouse Road East
3800 E Edison Avenue
Estero High School
Germain Arena
21900 River Ranch Road
11000 Everblades Parkway
Lehigh Senior High School
Littleton Elementary North Ft. Myers
801 Gunnery Road North
700 Hutto Road
Mariner High School
Riverdale High School
701 Chiquita Boulevard
2600 Buckingham Road
South Fort Myers High School
Three Oaks Middle
14040 Plantation Boulevard
18500 Three Oaks Parkway
University Community
When the FGCU emergency representative notifies the University community that FGCU
is suspending normal operations due to tropical storm or hurricane, faculty, and staff shall
try to do the following:
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Back up personal computers, recommendation is to purchase a memory key to
back up important documentation.
If possible, cover those computers located on floor central processing units with
garbage bags or put on top of desk to avoid water damage.
Pull down window blinds.
Prepare your building for maximum sustained winds. Bring things inside a
building if items can be projectiles.
Protect important documents from water damage by storing them in file cabinets,
desk draws, etc. If possible, important documents could be scanned and store in
your departments server, CD, or memory key.
If business travel is around time of emergency, make the reasonable and
necessary accommodations to travel or cancel travel.
Prepare emergency disaster kit for your department or for those essential
personnel required to be on campus. Disaster kit may include the following
contents: flashlight, batteries, poncho, hand sanitizer, security whistles, dust
mask, work gloves, first aid kit, and multi pocket tool.
Check schedules for any special events on campus and cancel and re-schedule as
appropriate.
In an orderly fashion, when directed to do so, please leave campus when FGCU
Emergency Team directs you to.
FGCU Recovery
Do not attempt to return to the main campus or other off campus locations until an
official announcement instructs you to return.
Please listen to local radio and television stations, contact (239) 590-1900 or access the
FGCU web sites at www.fgcu.edu for updates.
Hurricane Assessment
Our continual cycle of preparing has taught us how to plan, evaluate, and recover all our
damages during these storms. With your help, we will continue to request assistance
from FEMA and the State of Florida.
When conducting damage assessment of university buildings taking pictures is an
important ingredient for communicating damage to insurance companies. Chief
Moore has agreed to have his staff take pictures of damages around campus. In order
to receive assistance from FEMA for debris removal they will need pictures of debris
on road such as fallen trees or branches blocking vehicles from entering a safe zone.
Please estimate the amount of fallen debris in cubic yards, if possible. Per FEMA
requirements, write a memo stating what was done with collected debris. For
instance, was it shredded and made into mulch? The reason for this memo is to
inform FEMA that we have taken environmentally friendly steps in recycling debris.
EHS has before pictures; we need after hurricane hits pictures.
Take extra precautions when conducting damage assessments of campus.
Essential Personnel - FGCU employees permitted on campus to help restore campus
to pre-storm conditions. This may include Physical Plant and Campus Police
employees.
Essential personnel shall record all expenditures. Materials and supplies purchased
for storm preparation (before) and to get campus back to pre-hurricane condition
(after). Use attached spreadsheet link to write down all expenditures. Submit
pictures, invoices, and proof of payment of invoices to risk management at earliest
convenience when that damaged area is considered repaired to its pre-hurricane
condition.
Essential personnel shall record the time and amount of fuel used for generators. Use
attached spreadsheet link to indicate size, capacity, horsepower, location, make, and
model of generator used during power outage. Please keep separate the amount of
fuel used for generators from that fuel used for university vehicles and mules and
other equipment.
Essential personnel shall record equipment and vehicles used for debris removal and
emergency work.
Essential personnel shall record fuel used for equipment and vehicles for debris
removal and emergency protective measures. Please use the material and supply form
to document fuel used for vehicles and equipment.
Essential personnel shall record labor hours for debris removal and emergency work
when restoring campus to pre-hurricane conditions. Continue to give HR all your
timesheets for FGCU personnel working during the disaster preparation and recovery
period.
Essential personnel shall maintain time sheets documenting labor hours for those
individuals hired from other agencies ie (prisoners) to help with debris removal or
emergency protective measures.
Essential personnel shall maintain separate spreadsheets for each cost center for
material and supplies, equipment, fuel usage, and labor.
Other Useful Information
2015 to 2020 Names for Storms
NOAA “Action List”
FEMA checklist titled, Avoiding Hurricane Damage: A Checklist for Homeowners
Disaster Supply Kit- For your home or office.
Hurricane Tracking Chart
News (Click Here)
Current News Articles
Learn more about T.S. Bill
2015 – NOAA Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook
25 Years: Hurricane Hugo Remembered
A few extra minutes means all the difference, NOAA’s National Weather Service
Sets Sails on Improving Forecasts
2008 News Articles
News article from NOAA titled, “Warmer Ocean Could Reduce Number of Atlantic
Hurricane Landfalls.”
News article from NOAA titled, “NOAA Predicts Near Normal or Above Normal
Atlantic Hurricane Season.”
News article from NOAA titled, “NOAA Model Projects Fewer, But More Intense
Hurricanes Late This Century.”
Forms
Employee claiming a recovery will fill out the attached spreadsheet form for materials
and supplies. Material and Supplies Spreadsheet.
Employee claiming a recovery will fill out the attached spreadsheet form for
equipment. Equipment Spreadsheet