The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects three to seven major hurricanes this season, which exceeds the seasonal average of two major storms. The NAE compiled a checklist for churches from several different sources. [1] Be prepared not only to protect your church from a major storm but also to reach out to those in your community who have been affected by natural disaster.

• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your church. Know your church's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.

• Find out if other churches in your community are also planning responses and explore coordination options.

• Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your church for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your church but within your community.

• Determine escape routes from your church and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

• Check your insurance coverage. Flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supply Kit.

• Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

• Conduct a room-by-room walk-through to determine what needs to be secured. Simple things can make a big difference, such as covering computers, sound boards and musical instruments with plastic.

• Attach equipment and cabinets to walls or other stable equipment; place heavy or breakable objects on low shelves; and move workstations away from large windows, if possible.

• Elevate equipment off the floor to avoid electrical hazards in the event of flooding.
• Backing up records is key! Keep copies of important records such as site maps, building plans, insurance policies, employee contact and identification records, computer backups and other priority documents in a waterproof, fireproof portable container.
• Plan ahead for extended disruptions during and after a disaster. Consider purchasing portable generators to power the vital aspects of your church in an emergency. Never use a generator inside as it may produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. It is a good idea to pre-wire the generator to the most important equipment. Periodically test the backup system's operability.

• Learn how and when to turn off utilities. If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to turn the gas back on yourself.

• Investigate and decide in advance what relief agency you will support and establish contact with that agency (looking especially for agencies that will work with and through local churches, like World Relief)

• Prepare people to serve on teams during a relief effort and train them in advance

• Identify what type of disaster response fits your church’s values and capacity, whether emergency shelter, water, food, medical, trauma counseling, housing reconstruction etc.

• If you plan a commodities-oriented response, pre-identify vendors and shipping options

[1]“Ready Business” http://www.ready.gov/business/overview/index.html

“Leaders urge members to prepare as hurricane season begins” http://www.flumc.info/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000064/006470-p.htm

“Hurricane Preparedness: Family Disaster Plan” http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/family_plan.shtml

“Disaster Supply Kit” http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml