Hurricane Dorian is expected to impact portions of the Bahamas and several areas, including West Palm Beach, in Florida, as early as tomorrow, according to NBC News. Many auto glass shops in the area have started preparing, with one offering tips to help prepare for the possible category three hurricane.
Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, issued an executive order for a state of emergency yesterday, following updates on the tropical storm.
“Due to Hurricane Dorian’s uncertain projected path, I am expanding the state of emergency to include all 67 counties throughout Florida,” said Governor DeSantis. “All residents, especially those along the East Coast, need to be prepared for possible impacts. Do not wait until it is too late to make a plan.”
The storm’s effects could mean more work ahead for repair shops in the area if preparation methods are not followed.
“A recent survey revealed that 74% of American small businesses do not have a disaster plan, 84% do not have adequate insurance, and 71% lack a back-up generator,” according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Josh and Emily Anne Thomason, Glass Doctor (a Neighborly company) franchise owners, of Melbourne Fla., mentioned the following tips to assist in any auto glass shops preparing for this weekend’s expected hurricane:
- Don’t screw the plywood into the frame: If you are boarding up your home or business with plywood, it is hard to determine just how far the glass is inside the frame. If the nail is screwed in too tightly, it will shatter the glass. In order to avoid breaking it, you should set the plywood into place with carbon steel clips. Simply cover your windows with plywood, then clip the plywood into the window casing.
- If broken glass occurs during the hurricane: Leave the room where the window is broken and retreat to an interior room with few or no windows. Once the storm has subsided, utilize any extra plywood you might have to cover up the hole until it can be repaired.
- A common misconception is tape will prevent the glass from shattering. Tape is not an effective tool to fend off a hurricane. Use plywood, shutters, hurricane-resistant film or hurricane impact glass instead.
GCI Consultants, a building envelope consulting firm based in West Palm Beach, Fla., with several decades’ experience preparing for hurricanes, offers advice as well.
“It’s important to take pictures of everything before the storm, such as the building, equipment and offices,” said Paul Beers, CEO and founder, adding that if a company needs to make an insurance claim it’s good to have documentation.
He advises glass shops in the area to remove all electronical equipment from the floor and away from any windows and doors. He also recommends closing all doors before leaving the building so if one area is breached the damage is more likely to be contained.
It’s also not a bad idea to start preparing for any possible influx of work headed to your businesses following Hurricane Dorian, according to Beers.
Having a contractor on speed dial for repairs post-hurricane could help with any potential recovery needed. Beers also says that it’s important to establish alternate means of communication, such as cell phones, for employees and key customers.
Look to glassBYTEs.com for additional coverage on Hurricane Dorian.
