[SMCARA] Hurricane Sandy preparation checklist

[John Johnson]

Here is a Hurricane Preparation Check List from MD Wing Civil Air Patrol

Hurricane Condition Activities 01 JUN 2012

Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol

(Similar actions should be taken at home)



HURCON IV: Issued 72 hours in advance of the earliest possible arrival of 
50-knot (58 mph) winds or when the NOAA NHC 3 day forecast "cone of 
probability" includes any portion of the state of Maryland (or within 800 
nautical miles). The following actions SHOULD be done:

1.  Check hurricane kits (Evacuation / Shelter-in-place) and emergency 
supplies and issue or procure as required.



2.  Secure loose objects outside.



3.  Fill gas tanks of CAP and personal vehicles and keep topped off.



4. Test-run generators and alternate power equipment; Check electrical 
ground and ventilation.



5.  Secure small buildings and trailers.



6.  Move portable equipment inside.



7.  Identify essential personnel and alert or place on standby as necessary. 
This will include the MEMA and County EOC Liaison staff, and all RECON 
Aircrew and Ground Team personnel.



8.  Empty or secure hazardous as well as non-hazardous waste sites at your 
facilities from leaks and wind.



9.  Designate essential personnel to be recalled for the recovery of your 
facilities. Review Mutual Support procedures for your Squadron, Group, and 
the Wing.



10.  Report major problems to your building custodian or facility 
coordinator.



11. Begin identification of aircrews for aircraft repositioning and secure 
MER HUREVAC mission #.



12. Prepare your personal response equipment. Team leaders contact all 
personnel and all team equipment should be checked.



13. All units will report to the designated Emergency Services staff member 
at the next highest command their personnel availability and details for the 
next 7 days.



14. Begin monitoring HF and VHF radio primary frequencies ( MDWG Comm Plan) 
as well as internet/email/text links.

15. Review HURCON III actions.



DO NOT SELF DEPLOY





Hurricane Condition Activities 01 JUN 2012

Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol



HURCON III: Issued 48 hours before earliest possible arrival of 50-knot (58 
mph) winds.

1. Ensure that HURCON IV actions are complete.

2. Radio Nets should up and Running - Active stations should check in every 
4 hours. HF and VHF



3. All units should take necessary action to protect CAP Assets.



4. Notify building custodians to begin hurricane preparations, i.e., secure 
windows, doors, vents, drains etc.

5. Download / back-up computer hard drives to portable devices and take them 
with you upon evacuation.

6. Cover electrical equipment with plastic and elevate above flood levels 
when possible.

7. Remove loose articles from desks, secure bookcases to inside walls, move 
furniture away from windows and doors. Lower blinds and close.

8. Check fuel and oil levels of CAP vehicles and park them in protected 
spaces (beware of natural and structural collapse) where and when directed.

7. Release non-essential personnel when directed, consider canceling 
meetings and non-essential activities.

8. Deploy special teams as directed. Consider pre-staging additional assets. 
Activate all Hurricane Nets (HF, Satellite and VHF Repeaters).

9. Notify MDWG and MER Staff of potential for mutual aid requirements.

10. Stand by for Aircraft Movement Orders and commence evacuation of 
aircraft from predicted impact areas when directed.

11. Continue to update next highest command with contact information, status 
and resources availability (include Mission Pilots, Mission Observers and 
Scanners, Ground Team Members, ICs, Mission Radio Operators, and Mission 
Staff Assistance personnel).



12. Review HURCON II actions.



DO NOT SELF DEPLOY - AGAIN - DO NOT SELF DEPLOY





Hurricane Condition Activities 01 JUN 2012

Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol



HURCON II:  Issued 24 hours in advance of the earliest predicted
arrival of 50-knot (58 mph) winds.

1.  Ensure that all HURCON IV and HURCON III actions are complete.

2.  Maintain accountability of personnel.

3.  Complete hurricane preparations until directed otherwise.

4.  EVACUATE when directed by local Emergency Management

5. If unable to evacuate, stock a "safe" room and be ready to shelter-in-
place. Stock freezers with several plastic jugs of distilled or drinking 
water.

6. Personnel in non-impacted areas should be prepared to respond when 
directed.

7. Continue listening to the radio Nets and watch your email/texts for 
information up-dates

(Protect your radio assets from water and power-surge damage. Plastic trash 
bags work well to cover radios and computers; also raise them up off the 
floor.  Maintain electrical grounds and beware of shock hazards.



8. Antenna Towers, if you have them, should be lowered if possible and 
switch to inside antennas (you will need the radios more after the storm 
passes).



9. Run generators and charge large batteries only in well ventilated areas 
with good electrical grounds away from spaces occupied by personnel. Keep 
other rechargeable devices (cell phones, cameras, handhelds, etc.) fully 
charged.


10. Review HURCON I actions






Hurricane Condition Activities 01 JUN 2012

Maryland Wing Civil Air Patrol



HURCON I:  Issued 12 hours in advance of the earliest predicted
arrival of 50-knot (58 mph) winds.

1.  Ensure that all HURCON IV, HURCON III, and HURCON II actions are 
complete.

2.  Maintain accountability of personnel.

3.  Complete hurricane preparations until directed otherwise.

4.  Listen to the Radio Nets and watch your email/texts for up-dated 
information.

5. Use "SAFE" room to ride out storm.





IMMEDIATE POST STORM ACTIONS



1. Account for all personnel. Render First Aid as necessary.



2. Assess damage to local facility and immediate neighborhood



3. Effect emergency repairs to restore basic habitability and communications



4. Report, via any available communications link, status, conditions, 
resources availability, and other pertinent information.



5. Review Incident Response Plans and commence actions as indicated and 
directed.





John A Johnson, LtCol CAP, MDWG A3ED

Disaster Services/Peparedness

jajohnson at erols.com

c 301 904 4693