Get Ready for the Upcoming Season During Hurricane Preparedness Week

As the start of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is quickly approaching, the National Weather Service has designated May 9-15 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. During this week, individuals and businesses are strongly encouraged to identify their hurricane-related risks, develop or update response plans, and gather any needed supplies. To support homes, communities, and businesses in the disaster planning process, federal agencies are promoting updated resources and guidance. For the home building industry, these resources can be beneficial in making disaster preparations for jobsites and business offices.

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) - OHSA has published its dedicated Hurricane Preparedness and Response Page that includes specific information on jobsite safety for hurricanes, including OSHA’s Hurricane eMatrix, which features information on hazards and risks for those working in hurricane response and recovery.
• National Weather Service (NWS) - The NWS has released a suite of videos and infographics that can be posted online to assist in messaging about hurricane preparations for homes and businesses.
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has updated and published Hurricanes and COVID-19, a resource guide on how to safely prepare for hurricane season amid COVID-19 with updated CDC guidance.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - The EPA's Hurricane Resource compiles useful information about housing and construction related topics such as post-disaster debris removal and toxic hazards.

The 2021 National Hurricane Preparedness Week comes at a time when many of the first hurricane early-season forecasts are being released. Meteorologists at Colorado State University (CSU) have forecast that the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season is most likely to be another above-average season with a total of 17 named storms, eight of which could become hurricanes, of which four have a high probability of becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or above). CSU reminds all residents and businesses in their forecast, "As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted." Now is the time to prepare your business for the upcoming hurricane season, for further disaster preparedness resources visit the NAHB Disaster Resources Toolkit or contact Jonathan Falk, Field Specialist for Disaster Relief at 800-386-5242 x8005.