UHCO Hurricane Response Plan

Introduction

In the event of a hurricane threatening the University of Houston, it is the responsibility of college personnel to control hazards internal to departmental operations. Generally, personnel are responsible to see that facilities are secured and present no danger to the community.

This Hurricane Response Plan has been written to fulfill these responsibilities. It describes employee duties under three categories of severe weather, as described by the National Weather Service (NWS). The three categories of severe weather are as follows:

Hurricane Alert -	landfall of the storms eye is expected within 48 hours.
Hurricane Watch -	landfall of the storms eye is expected within 36 hours.
Hurricane Warning -	landfall of the storms eye is expected within 24 hours.

In the event that the University of Houston is notified by the NWS of one of these weather conditions, personnel will be responsible for the following specific actions.

Emergency Supplies

1.	Battery-powered radio with NOAA weather:	In the Deans office
2.	Flashlights:	In each administrator’s office
3.	Batteries (24), in refrigerator:	Equipment room - Room # 1219
4.	Polyethylene sheeting, (6 rolls):	Outside trailer
5.	Cardboard boxes (4):	Equipment room - Room # 1219
6.	First Aid Kit (1):	Minor Surgery room - Room # 1358
7.	Garbage Bags (12 boxes 39 gallon bags):	Outside trailer
8.	Fresh water (if need anticipated):	Conference room # 2198

Glossary of Additional Terms

Trans-storm - the 12 hour period following landfall.

Post-storm - generally referred to as the "all clear" for commencement of recovery actions, usually 12-24 hours following landfall.

Dirty zone of the storm - the north east quadrant of the storm where the greatest chance for heavy rainfall and violent conditions occur. This generally holds true but is not always the case.

Clean zone of the storm - the south west quadrant of the storm where the amount of rainfall and violent conditions are the least. Again, this is usually the case but with the unpredictability of a storm, this does not always occur.

Eye of the storm - direct center of the storm. Usually 20-30 miles in diameter.

Storm Classification (Saffir-Simpson Scale):

Category 1 Storm -	a storm intensity classification where wind speed is 74-95 m.p.h.
Category 2 Storm -	a storm intensity classification where wind speed is 96-110 m.p.h.
Category 3 Storm -	a storm intensity classification where wind speed is 111-130 m.p.h.
Category 4 Storm -	a storm intensity classification where wind speed is 131-155 m.p.h.
Category 5 Storm -	a storm intensity classification where wind is 156 m.p.h. and greater.

RESEARCH LABORATORY PREPARATION GUIDELINES

Advance preparation of specialized areas such as laboratories can help avoid certain dilemmas posed by the threat of a severe storm. Additionally, careful selection of hazardous materials storage areas, the permanent placement of sensitive equipment away from windows and other high risk areas, and a realistic assessment of available personnel on-site just prior to a storm, can all aid in making your response both smooth and effective.

Hurricane Watch

1. Place large garbage bag by/atop each piece of electronic equipment.

2. Shelve and secure all glassware, microscopes, etc.

3. Containerize and seal all hazardous and radioactive wastes.

4. Label all laboratory entrances with appropriate hazard warning symbols; be sure to note any hazards third parties may encounter but may not recognize.

5. Post emergency telephone numbers for key staff members.

6. Discuss re-entry of the area should it be damaged by the storm: Are any special re-entry recautions necessary? If so, what actions should/should not be taken, and by whom?

7. Decide if heat labile materials will require additional or backup cooling/freezing capability. If so, consider obtaining dry ice for use in such freezers or refrigerators.

Hurricane Warning

1. Immediately end all experiments in progress and halt the use of chemical, radiological, or biohazards agents.
2. Radioactive, chemical, and biological hazards should be stored in secured compartments appropriate to their hazard (e.g. solvents in flammable solvent cabinets, corrosives in acid/base cabinets, radioactive materials in their shipping containers with adequate shielding, biologicals in incubators, dry chemicals in cabinets with wooden or metal--not glass-- doors).
3. Hazardous materials should NOT be left on countertops, open shelves, or on floors. Small numbers of small, breakable containers or objects (e.g. test tubes, petri plates, microscope slides, etc.) should be emptied and stored.
4. Large numbers of small, breakable containers or objects can be placed in secondary containers such as plastic restaurant bus trays or 5 gallon utility buckets. The secondary containers or trays can then be securely stored in cabinets located in areas of low flood potential.
5. Arrange to protect equipment in areas with windows from hazards associated with broken glass, driven rain, and wind; leave all floor and counter space clear of equipment, papers, chemicals, etc.
6. Cover all electronic equipment with garbage bags or suitable plastic, regardless of whether windows are present in the immediate area.
7. Lock or tape shut all refrigerators, freezers, incubators, etc.
8. Unplug all non-critical electrical equipment.

TEACHING LABORATORY PREPARATION GUIDELINES

 Hurricane Watch

1. Place large garbage bag beside/atop each piece of electronic equipment.
2. Shelve and secure all glassware, microscopes, chemical containers, etc.
3. Containerize and seal all hazardous and radioactive wastes.
4. Secure all stock radioactive materials and sources.

Hurricane Warning

1. Immediately cancel all demonstrations in progress and halt the use of chemical, radiological, or biohazardous agents.
2. Relocate any such hazardous agents or waste products to areas not subject to flooding.
3. Arrange to protect equipment in areas with windows from hazards associated with broken glass, driven rain, and wind; so far as possible leave all floor and counter space clear of equipment, papers, chemicals, etc.
4. Cover all electronic equipment with garbage bags or suitable plastic, regardless of whether windows are present in the immediate area.
5. Contact departmental administrative office to obtain departmental emergency information packets, and distribute them to all technical staff members.
6. Stay in contact with the departmental office for news of university administration decisions.