As Dorian finally moves away from the Bahamas, the heartbreaking job of assessing the damages and loss has begun. Meanwhile, communities along the Atlantic prepare for Dorian to skirt much of the East Coast.
While there is nothing we can do to influence the path of the storm, we can do our best to prepare for it. In the coming days, it is essential everyone in Dorian’s path prepare for the worst, both at home and on the job site.
Secure Materials and Equipment
Hurricanes can easily damage any materials left outside. Loose materials pose the added risk of becoming airborne as projectiles that can break windows and damage property. Minimize your risks and liability and prevent injuries by securing materials now.
Dumpsters
Make sure your construction and roll off dumpsters are tarped and all construction debris is secured so no debris becomes wind borne. Loose materials can become dangerous projectiles, resulting in significant property damage. We offer tarp services to help you secure your dumpsters in preparation for storms.
Portable Toilets and Sanitation Units
Ensure all portable toilets are properly secured and weighted down. You can weight the toilet by carefully placing sandbags inside the unit or you can secure it to another structure, such as a dumpster. National Site Materials is an excellent resource for ordering sandbags and FloodSax Sandless Sandbags easily online. If possible, transport portable toilets and all other sanitation units to a garage to protect them from the storm. If you need assistance securing your portable toilets, we offer services to help secure them to your dumpster. Remember, if your portable toilet or sanitation unit is damaged as a result of the storm you could be liable for damages unless you purchased a Damage Waiver.
Loose Materials
All tools, equipment, materials and debris should be moved indoors. Arwood Waste will continue to offer cleanup and removal services as long as possible to assist you with storm preparations. Anything that cannot be removed or safely stored indoors should be tied down.
Prepare at Home
In addition to protecting your job site and employees, we want to make sure you are prepared at home. Whether you are planning to leave town to get out of the path of the storm or hunker down in place, here are a few steps you can take to protect your family and your home.
Have a First Aid Kit
If you haven’t already prepared a kit of emergency supplies, now is the time to start. If you do have a kit, verify that supplies are not expired and any electronics are in working order and fully charged. In addition to food and water, make sure you have a radio and batteries so you can track the storm and power flashlights. You’ll also want to make sure you have a first aid kit for minor injuries that might occur. If you don’t have one, you can order a first aid kit at Medical Waste 360. For additional information on hurricane kits and supplies, the American Red Cross offers a Hurricane Safety Checklist.
Make a Plan
Don’t wait until the storm is on your doorstep to decide where you’ll go. Roads will become congested and hotels will fill up quickly. If you plan to stay with friends or family, verify that they will be able to accommodate you, your family and any pets. Listen to local officials and evacuate or go to a shelter if evacuation orders are issued for your area. Make sure you know the locations of your local shelters and identify those that can accommodate any special needs, such as pet friendly shelters. You can check online for the location of local shelters and visit the American Red Cross to find open shelters.
Donate Blood
When thinking about hurricane prep, donating blood might not come to mind, but it should. After major weather events and disasters, there is almost always a shortage of blood supply. In Florida, One Blood has already issued a call for immediate donations to meet expected needs from the storm. Getting to a donation center after the storm can be difficult, so before the storm hits, make an appointment and donate today. If you live in a state not directly affected by this storm, please also donate! Your local blood bank will probably be sending blood to help affected areas.
Storm Cleanup
After the storm has passed, recovery work begins. While we hope any damage is minimal, storm recovery and cleanup services may be necessary to get your home and work site back to normal.
Demolition Services
At Arwood Waste, we are prepared to mobilize immediately after the storm has passed. Our demolition and emergency clean up services will be available to help assess and recover in the aftermath of the storm. You can schedule an appointment anytime using our online services or by calling 1-800-477-0854.
Air Scrubbers
After storm water recedes, there is still much work to be done. Even with repairs, moisture and unpleasant odors can linger. Plan ahead and reserve your air scrubber and dry out fans for all livable structures by calling 1-800-477-0854.
Stay Safe
Be sure to stay informed on the latest updates on Hurricane Dorian and plan accordingly. You can get the latest updates and public advisories at any time from the National Hurricane Center.