Hurricane Season Checklist for Commercial Properties

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. This is a short checklist for Doral office, warehouse and retail properties. It is not a substitute for official instructions. Always follow orders from the City of Doral and Miami-Dade County.

Before the season

Update your contact list: staff, landlord or property manager, insurance agent, and vendors.
Photograph or video the property inside and out for insurance records. Keep a copy off-site.
Check that roof drains, gutters and storm drains on your property are clear.
Test shutters or storm panels and label them, so they go up quickly.
Have trees trimmed and plan where outdoor furniture, signs and loose equipment will go.
Back up business records and computer data to a location outside the building.
Ask your cleaning contractor whether they do storm cleanup and how to reach them after a storm.

When a storm is forecast

Bring inside or tie down anything that could blow away.
Move inventory, files and electronics up off the floor in areas that can flood.
Unplug equipment and switch off power to anything that doesn't need to stay on.
Don't leave loose trash, pallets or bulk debris outside the building.

After the storm

Wait for the official all-clear before going back. Stay away from downed power lines.
Never run a generator indoors or in a closed garage or loading bay.
Photograph all damage before you start cleanup, for your insurance claim.
Dry out wet carpet, flooring and drywall as quickly as possible.

Cleanup help in this directory

Post-Construction Cleaning: debris and dust after repairs and rebuilding
Pressure Washing: exterior walls, sidewalks, parking lots and loading docks
Floor Care: water-damaged carpet and hard floors

Official information

City of Doral: Emergency Preparedness (Police Department)
Miami-Dade County: Hurricanes
Miami-Dade County: Emergency Management

More official links for businesses: Doral Business Links.