TOKIO MARINE AMERICA LOSS CONTROL

Hurricane Preparedness

Tokio Marine America's (TMA) mission as a Good Company is to provide Anshin (safety, security and peace of mind) to our clients and the public during these challenging times.

While hurricanes are known as a concern for the southeast region of the country, 40 out of 50 U.S. states have experienced hurricanes or tropical storms since 1866, according to FEMA.

2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook

Weather experts are warning that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will be one of the most active on record. AccuWeather is predicting 20-25 named storms, including 8 to 12 reaching hurricane status, with 4 to 6 of those being major hurricanes that can directly impact the United States.

This is in stark contrast with the 2023 Hurricane season, which included 19 named storms with only four that impacted the U.S., including Hurricane Idalia, a category 3 storm that made landfall in Florida and caused widespread devastation. It was the worst hurricane to hit the area in more than a century.

The two driving factors behind this prediction are warming waters across much of the Atlantic basin and La Niña, which can enhance storms.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1^st through November 30^th.

Preparing for Hurricane Season

Now is the best time to start planning for the possibility of a windstorm event. TMA recommends the following tips:

1. Review your emergency response plan. Elements should include options for evacuation, operating offsite, and sheltering in place.
2. Establish a plan for communicating with your employees, clients, and other key stakeholders - both from your existing location and from potential offsite locations.
3. Prior to any storm, inspect the roof, flashing, windows, exterior walls, and doors. Ensure rooftop equipment is secured properly. Hire a qualified contractor to make needed repairs to prevent the potential of a large loss during or after a storm.
4. Ensure your rooftop drains are clear of debris and the ground outlets are free of obstructions to allow proper flow of storm water off the roof.
5. Test emergency generators to ensure proper operation during a power outage. If your building is not equipped with an emergency generator, secure one from a third-party supplier well ahead of a storm for essential systems, if possible.
6. Practice emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place drills.
7. Continue to manage your inspection and maintenance procedures for any vacant or unoccupied buildings. Tokio Marine America has developed guidelines to identify action items for these buildings: Precautions During Vacated or Idle Production Periods

Pre-storm Actions

Taking action before, during, and after a severe rainstorm, windstorm, tornado, or hurricane may help mitigate the severity of the loss and enhance the facility's overall safety.

Our windstorm guidelines adhere to nationally recognized standards followed by the insurance industry for new construction and re-roofing. Pre-storm actions should include developing an effective hurricane preparedness plan that incorporates advanced planning to ensure your buildings’ roof covers and rooftop equipment are designed to meet the anticipated wind loads.

Tokio Marine America Loss Control has developed several resources to help you and your organization prepare for windstorms such as hurricanes and tropical storms.

• Hurricane Preparedness
• Roof Design and Protection
• Rooftop Equipment Securement Guidelines
• Rooftop PV Systems Windstorm Guidelines
• Windstorm Protection Guidelines

Please consult with your local TMA Loss Control representative for assistance with implementing these procedures at your facility.

If you have fire protection equipment that is out of service, report the situation and expected duration to Impairment Notification Online: www.TMAmerica.com/impairments

As part of Tokio Marine America's commitment to providing high quality loss control services to our policyholders, we offer web-based resources that can assist you in hurricane preparedness safety training. Visit www.TMAmerica.com/SafetySkills for more information.

Helpful Resources

Below are links to websites that have useful information for employers from Simple Safety Coach, American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), National Safety Council (NSC), and other sources for reference.

• National Weather Service
• National Safety Council Hurricane Preparedness
• NOAA Weather Radio Live Streams
• FEMA's How to Prepare for a Hurricane and mobile app for alerts, tips, and additional resources
• Texas Department of Insurance - 7 things you should do before hurricane season
• Red Cross resources to prepare your home and family
• Hurricane safety information from the National Weather Service
• Ready.gov provides detailed information, and even a free software program, for developing a business continuity plan in the face of a variety of hazards and natural disasters

IMPORTANT NOTICE - The information and suggestions presented by Tokio Marine Management, Inc. is for your consideration in your loss prevention efforts. They are not intended to be complete or definitive in identifying all hazards associated with your business, preventing workplace accidents, or complying with any safety related, or other, laws or regulations. You are encouraged to alter them to fit the specific hazards of your business and to have your legal counsel review all of your plans and company policies.