Hurricane Preparation Guide & Checklist

Ensuring the safety of your data and network during hurricane season is crucial. Below are guidelines to protect your computer equipment and maintain business continuity before, during, and after a hurricane.

Objective:

Minimize damage from hurricanes by safeguarding against rain, wind, debris, power spikes, surges, and outages. Proper precautions can significantly reduce the risk to your computer hardware and software.

Before the Storm:

Preparation for Disconnecting Equipment:

1. Relocate Equipment: Move equipment near windows to safer locations like an interior closet. If moving isn't possible, enclose with tape and plastic bags.

2. Shutdown and Unplug: Shut down and unplug all computer equipment, including PCs, monitors, printers, phones, and phone systems. Turn off and unplug surge protectors and battery packs. Seal equipment in bags for water protection.

Specific Steps:

- Save work and turn off desktop and laptop computers.

- Turn off printers, firewall or router, telephone handsets, telephone system, and internet provider’s equipment.

- Unplug and turn off all surge protectors and battery packs.

- Move equipment away from windows and doors, cover with plastic bags, and place on desks to avoid flood damage.

Support During Inclement Weather:

ERGOS will remain operational using multiple locations and cloud infrastructure to ensure service continuity. For assistance, call your local ERGOS office. If phone lines are busy, email HelpMe@ERGOS.com.

After the Storm:

Reconnecting Equipment:

1. Assessment: Assess property damage before starting recovery. Remove bags from equipment, relocate to original positions, and inspect any exposed or damaged equipment.

2. Wait for Stability: Keep equipment powered off and unplugged until power is stabilized. Follow the power company's "all clear" before reconnecting.

3. Reconnection Order: Restore core systems and infrastructure first. Follow this order, ensuring each item fully loads before proceeding:

- Move equipment back to original locations and remove bags.

- Plug in and turn on surge protectors and battery packs.

- Turn on internet provider’s equipment.

- Turn on network switch.

- Turn on firewall or router.

- Turn on telephone system.

- Plug in telephone handsets.

- Plug in and turn on desktop and laptop computers.

- Plug in and turn on printers.

- Activate any other peripherals.

We hope you find this guide useful. For assistance in getting systems up and running, please contact us.