Hurricane Preparedness and
Recovery of Computer Equipment and Software

When a major storm is forecasted to strike in the area, a number of precautions can be taken to minimize the destruction to computer equipment and software. Once the necessary steps have been taken to protect life-and-limb, a few minutes devoted to securing and protecting office or home computer equipment, software programs and valuable data files can prevent untold hours of frustration drying out soaked equipment, attempting to replace missing software or reconstructing lost data files.

If a structure will not be able to withstand a direct hit of a major hurricane, there is only one basic option to save computers and related software. If time permits, move all hardware and software to another location that will be affected to a lesser degree by the storm's fury. In most cases, unless the structure has concrete walls and ceilings and re-enforced doors and windows, the integrity of the building will be questionable during the hurricane's strike.

The surrounding area affected by a hurricane's destructive force is much larger and is of primary concern. In preparing for a hurricane's strike, a couple of minutes of work will save countless hours of frustration. Thought must be given to the effects of the wind and water on the contents of a computer lab or office should the integrity of the structure be compromised.

STORM PREPARATION

Personal safety should always take priority over computer equipment and software when preparing for a storm. Once personal safety is ensured and if adequate time remains before the storm is expected to arrive, some time may be allotted to protection of computer equipment and software.

Equipment

The major cause of damage to computer hardware and software will be from rain and wind. Broken doors and windows will allow the wind with its rain and debris to whistle through buildings. By moving computer equipment (i.e. monitors, CPUs, printers, keyboards) to protected locations and wrapping with plastic, the chances of damage will be greatly reduced.

To select a protected location, survey the room in question. Try to determine what would occur if the window broke and allowed the wind and rain to enter. Naturally the wind that enters through a broken window has to exit somewhere -- which could be through a door, a ceiling (roof), or another window. This creates a wind-tunnel effect in the room. As a result the computer equipment can not only be damaged by the rain, but also by airborne articles flying around the room.

Storm preparations procedures will start when the local weather service issues a voluntary evacuation order.


 

Computer Preparedness Checklist

1. Ensure You Have a Backup

  1. Do not wait until the day before a hurricane to backup your files! Backup all your data files at least once per month to prevent loss of data.
  2. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BACKUP THE WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM FILES NOR PROGRAM FILES. If a computer needs to be recovered because of damage caused by disk failure or hardware failure, the Windows operating system files and the standard enterprise wide program files such as Microsoft Office and Trend antivirus software, will be installed when the computer is re-imaged by CSIT's Desktop Computing Service.
  3. If you hold the installation CD/diskettes to non-enterprise wide software purchased through your department, consider making a copy of it, if you are licensed to do so. CSIT does not keep copies of unique departmental software. Examples of unique software purchases are Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Premier.
  4. Store your backups in the safest place possible. Put backup disks/tapes in waterproof bags/containers and store in a safe location on or off campus.

2. Secure Your Equipment

  1. Turn off all power to all equipment. It is critical to unplug all devices that carry electricity.
  2. Turn off battery backup units and disconnect power cords to the wall. Unplug all power cords from the wall to all devices (CPU's, monitors, terminals, modems, fax/modems, etc.). Leave the other end of all of the power cords connected to the PC.
  3. Disconnect all phone lines from the wall that are attached to communication devices (modems, fax/modems, etc.). Unplug the network cable from the back of the PC, and leave the other end connected to the network jack on the wall.
  4. Contact your Liaison for information on securing your PC's and peripherals. They should have plastic bags and tape, which can be used to cover PC's and peripherals such as printers. Remember, the purpose of this is to keep the computer equipment watertight. The following equipment should be wrapped: CPU (Computer), Monitor, Speakers, External zip drive, Printer, Scanner.
  5. If necessary, move the equipment to a safe location.
    1. First floor - if the equipment is near a window or on or near the floor place it on a table AWAY from the window or door.
    2. Second floor- window side rooms 252-254 move equipment to room 234, rooms 256-261 move equipment to 247 , rooms 262-266 move equipment to room 249.

After The Storm

CSIT will work as quickly as the circumstances permit to restore network connectivity and services throughout campus. Once your PC and peripherals have been setup, ensure that they are connected to a surge protector. You can contact your Liaison or CSIT for assistance with setting up your PC and peripherals. Expect power surges and fluctuations for several days or longer after power has been restored. All the effort you went through in preparation may be lost if you take a hit after the storm.