Hurricane season officially kicks off on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, and if you’ve been in the construction industry long enough, you know how quickly storms can throw your project into chaos. The 2024 hurricane season showed us that any jobsite can be affected, even inland states, with extreme flooding causing devastation.
But with a solid plan in place, you can reduce risks and keep your crews safer. Here’s how to prepare your job sites today before a storm approaches.
1. START WITH A STORM ACTION PLAN
Every site needs a documented hurricane preparedness plan tailored to your current phase of construction.
This plan should outline:
- Who does what before, during, and after the storm
- Site-specific vulnerabilities, including materials or equipment at risk
- Evacuation routes and timelines
- Communication protocols for your team and subcontractors
Update this plan at the start of each season and share it with your crews during safety meetings. FEMA offers excellent resources and templates you can adapt for your needs.
2. SECURE MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT EARLY
Loose materials like plywood, insulation, rebar or HVAC components can quickly become flying debris. And while it may seem like overkill, anchoring and tying down everything—even dumpsters and port-a-johns—can save you thousands in damages.
For heavy equipment:
- Park away from trees or power lines
- Lower all booms and buckets
- Remove keys to prevent unauthorized use
- Fuel up in advance in case of supply chain disruptions
Don’t forget about temporary structures like scaffolding, fencing or signage. These should either be reinforced or disassembled and stored. OSHA provides guidance for safely managing equipment during severe weather events.
3. PROTECT ELECTRICAL AND WATER SYSTEMS
Temporary power setups and water pumps are particularly vulnerable during a storm. Disconnect and store portable generators indoors if possible. Elevate electrical cords and GFCIs off the ground and cover exposed panels with waterproof tarps or boxes.
If your project includes an underground utility phase, cap and seal exposed piping or conduits. Floodwater and debris can cause major delays if they’re allowed into open systems.
4. TAKE DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL INVENTORY
Before the storm hits, document the entire site using photos and videos. Be sure to take care of cybersecurity risks and protect all sensitive data.
Capture wide angles and close-ups of:
- Stored materials
- Equipment (with serial numbers visible)
- Installed infrastructure
- General site conditions
Store these in the cloud with date stamps. This is your insurance backup in case of storm damage and helps speed up claims. Most major carriers now allow online claims submissions, so having digital records ready can mean faster reimbursement.
5. SET UP A POST-STORM INSPECTION PROTOCOL
Have a checklist and an assigned team ready to inspect the site as soon as it’s safe to return.
Look for:
- Electrical hazards
- Structural instability
- Flooding or washouts
- Downed power lines or tree limbs
OSHA has a Hurricane eMatrix that provides guidance on common hazards after a hurricane, such as debris, downed power lines and other risks. It is intended to assist employers in making informed decisions to protect their workers in disaster-impacted areas, such as determining whether a site is safe for workers before restarting any construction activities.
6. REVIEW YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE NOW
If you haven’t reviewed your general liability and builder’s risk policies in a while, do it now. Confirm you have coverage for wind, flood and business interruption. Many policies have exclusions or special deductibles for hurricanes, especially in coastal zones.
Work with your broker to:
- Understand your deductible structure
- Confirm what equipment is covered (leased vs. owned)
- Add named storm riders if needed
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) also offers protection for flood-related damage.
7. COMMUNICATE WITH SUBCONTRACTORS AND VENDORS
If a storm is forecasted, get ahead of it by calling key suppliers and subcontractors. They’ll appreciate the proactive approach, and you can coordinate delivery delays, site access and rescheduling ahead of time. Having a supply chain risk management plan is essential to keep delays to a minimum, especially after a hurricane has passed.
Some GCs also build “weather days” into their project schedule to account for storm delays. Make sure you’re tracking all delays and communications—many states require this for potential time extension claims.
8. USE TECHNOLOGY TO MONITOR THE FORECAST AND STAY UPDATED
Install weather alert apps like:
Also, set up group texts or team communication apps like Slack, GroupMe or Microsoft Teams to keep everyone informed of evolving conditions and updated disaster plans.
Preparing your job site for hurricane season isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your bottom line and, most importantly, the safety of your people. While you can’t predict the weather, you can absolutely control your readiness.
Photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/BILANOL
