As safety professionals, we’re trained to anticipate risk, prepare for the worst and protect our people. In hurricane season, this preparation is vital. EHS leaders across every sector, especially those in high-risk and essential industries, must act now to protect their workforce.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting an active hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean. According to NOAA’s 2025 outlook, there is a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The forecast includes 13 to 19 named storms,6 to 10 hurricanes, and 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). In occupational health and safety, these warnings must prompt action, not complacency.
A Personal Story: Lessons from Katrina
Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina changed my life and redefined my view of emergency preparedness. As a New Orleans resident, I witnessed the destruction firsthand. And while our community did have an emergency plan, it was uncoordinated, ineffective and lacking in communication.
I remember Michael, who lived in St. Bernard Parish (Editor’s note: Parish is the term used in Louisiana for the geographic regions that most other states call counties). He stayed behind to secure his home and to check on his elderly neighbors. When the levees failed, his neighborhood was submerged. He perished along with 163 others in his parish. Michael’s body, like too many others, was found weeks later in his attic, where he sought to escape the rising tide. His loved ones and neighbors endured immeasurable trauma in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Every place of employment in St. Bernard Parish was destroyed, and every house was uninhabitable. The innocence of New Orleanians was blown away with Hurricane Katrina’s Category 3 winds.
Physical recovery has taken years, and the psychological scars remain to this day. But through the pain comes a very powerful lesson in hurricane preparedness: Hope is not a plan. Preparation is essential to building resilient communities, and it must be led by safety professionals who understand the stakes.
Hurricanes are not Just Coastal Events
Hurricanes don’t recognize county lines or state borders, and they certainly are not just coastal events. In 2021, Hurricane Ida made landfall as one of the most intense storms on record in Louisiana, second only to Hurricane Katrina in terms of damage and strength.
Its destruction didn’t end there. As Hurricane Ida moved north, it caused tornado outbreaks from Mississippi to Massachusetts and historic flooding across New England and Mid-Atlantic, extending well inland to areas that aren't typically prepared for tropical weather events.
8 Critical Steps for Businesses and EHS Professionals
When it comes to storm readiness, the price of inaction is high for companies and their workers, including:
- Injury or loss of life;
- Damage to property, infrastructure and critical equipment;
- Supply chain break downs;
- Extended business interruptions;
- Reputational damage; and
- Lost records and data.
Workplaces must have a well-built Business Continuity Plan (BCP) that is more than a document. In fact, it should be a living strategy grounded in risk assessments, tested protocols and ongoing communication. Key components include:
- Risk assessment and business impact analysis
Identify what’s most vulnerable (e.g., people, assets and supply chains) and how different storm scenarios could affect operations. - Facility-specific emergency plans
Develop evacuation and shelter-in-place strategies tailored to each site’s risk profile and local hazards. - Data protection and IT redundancy
Ensure off-site or cloud-based backups and test your recovery systems frequently. - Physical infrastructure readiness
Reinforce structures, elevate key electrical systems and protect vulnerable locations with flood barriers or other mitigation tools. - Workforce training and drills
Practice makes preparation real. Your team should know what to do without second-guessing at home and on the job. - Robust communication protocols
Use redundant systems (e.g., SMS, apps, hotlines and more) to stay connected with employees throughout the crisis. - Collaboration with emergency management
Stay plugged into NOAA alerts and local emergency management systems. Sync your plan with public evacuation strategies. - Insurance review
Make sure your insurance coverage includes wind and flood damage. You may also consider adding business interruption insurance, which often requires separate riders.
How Workers can Protect Themselves
EHS leaders also have a role in empowering individual workers when it comes to preparation. Companies can’t protect what they don’t see, so employees must be equipped to safeguard their homes and families. Key considerations include:
- Develop a family emergency plan, including evacuation routes and meeting points.
- Build a disaster kit with food, water, first aid supplies, medications and backup power sources.
- Stay informed with NOAA alerts and local updates. Keep a battery-powered radio accessible.
- Prepare homes by clearing gutters, securing outdoor furniture and installing storm shutters.
- Keep vehicles fueled and devices charged before a storm hits.
- Support neighbors, especially the elderly or those with disabilities. Preparedness is a community effort.
The emotional toll of hurricanes often goes unspoken in safety planning, but it’s real and long-lasting. EHS professionals should advocate for Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and mental health support before, during and after a crisis. Psychological safety matters just as much as physical safety. Furthermore, acknowledging trauma is key to healing and building resilience.
Looking Ahead: Preparation is Protection
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season demands more than awareness; it demands leadership. As safety professionals, we are responsible for creating cultures of readiness that protect both operations and people. Let the lessons from Hurricanes Katrina and Ida, along with other past storms and natural disasters, remind us that preparation is not optional.
Readiness doesn’t start when the wind picks up. It starts now.