Preparing Your Office for a Hurricane or Other Severe Weather

Adapted from an email from ACDLA webmaster Mel Cooper prior to Hurricane Dennis, July, 2005

For those who may be in the projected path of a hurricane or other severe weather, here's some helpful advice that might protect your office against possible data loss on your office computers.

1) Prior to the expected landfall of a hurricane in your area you should either BACKUP all of your important data on your computer onto removable media (tape, CD, DVD, etc) and take the media home with you - OR - pack up your computer and take it home. Unless your computer is new (or has some odd sentimental value), just back it up and keep the backup media with you. Your insurance company can buy you a new computer, but it can't replace your lost data if the computer gets fried from a power surge.

Another backup option is ONLINE BACKUP which is very reliable, safe, and requires NO backup media. One such service is  iBackup (http://ibackup.com/).  A broadband connection (cable, DSL), howerver, is required for most online backup services.

2) If you leave your computer at the office then be sure to UNPLUG it from the wall outlet. If the computer gets soaked there's a chance it can be carefully dried out and salvaged.

3) Unplug all network and modem connections from the computer. This will prevent a surge through the phone line or network cable from zapping the delicate components inside the computer.

4) Unplug all printers, fax machines, copiers and any other delicate (expensive) electronic office equipment from the wall outlets. Unless the answering machine is expensive, you may want to leave it plugged in with a special message alerting callers/clients to an alternate phone number where you can be reached. Also, calling your office after the storm may tell you that you have power if the answering machine answers.

Mel Cooper is the webmaster for the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (http://www.acdla.org) and can be reached at:  1-866-695-8669, (334) 313-0102 (cell) or mel@melcooper.com.