The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and South Florida is directly exposed for most of it. For companies that store or ship dangerous goods, a storm is not only a business interruption. Flooding, wind and power loss can turn stored chemicals into an environmental and safety problem. Use this checklist to plan before a storm is on the forecast cone.
Build the plan before the storm
A written hurricane plan should name who decides when to shut down, who contacts customers and carriers, and who documents the condition of inventory afterward. Assign backup contacts, because key people may be evacuating. Keep current SDS copies, inventory lists and emergency contact numbers in a place you can reach off-site, such as cloud storage. Our hazmat consultation service can help turn this into a site-specific procedure.
Reduce what is at risk
- Draw down inventory of the most hazardous and highly reactive materials when a storm is forecast, if you can ship them safely out of the path.
- Elevate pallets and containers above likely flood levels, and avoid ground-level storage for water-reactive products.
- Secure drums, totes and cylinders so they cannot tip, roll or become projectiles. Gas cylinders should be chained or racked with caps on.
- Check secondary containment for liquids and make sure drains are protected or plugged according to your site plan.
- Segregate incompatibles even more carefully, because water intrusion and mixing during flooding can produce dangerous reactions. Review segregation rules.
Power and temperature control
Some products need temperature control to remain stable, including certain organic peroxides, biologicals and dry ice shipments. Plan for generator capacity, fuel and refrigerated backup. Our overview of temperature-controlled hazmat storage covers the risks, and our dry ice service page explains how frozen shipments are handled.
Shipping around a storm
Ports and airports close or restrict operations as a storm approaches. At seaports, the Coast Guard sets port condition levels (Whiskey, X-Ray, Yankee and Zulu) that limit vessel and cargo activity as storm arrival nears. Container terminals often stop receiving cargo well before landfall, and hazmat containers may be subject to earlier cutoffs or special stack rules. Check the terminal’s notices and your carrier’s advisories. If you export via South Florida, review Port Miami vs. Port Everglades to understand your options.
On the road, evacuation traffic and route closures can strand loaded trucks. Hazmat drivers should avoid parking placarded vehicles in unsafe or unapproved places. Plan alternate drop points and communicate with receiving facilities. Expedited services can sometimes pull product out of harm’s way ahead of a storm.
After the storm
- Do not enter a flooded or damaged facility until it is safe, and check for leaks, odors and structural damage.
- Treat spills according to your emergency plan. Releases above reportable quantities require notification, and some hazmat incidents require reporting to DOT; see incident reporting on Form 5800.1.
- Photograph and inventory damage for insurance. Our cargo insurance guide explains common coverage gaps.
- Check packaging for water damage before reshipping. Compromised packaging may require repacking.
Why a hazmat-ready 3PL helps
A hazmat warehouse with documented storm procedures, segregated storage areas and carrier relationships gives you somewhere to move product before a storm hits. If you want to review your own preparedness, contact our team.
Frequently asked questions
When is hurricane season in Florida?
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, with activity typically peaking from late summer into early fall.
Should I ship hazmat out ahead of a hurricane?
It can be wise to move the most hazardous or water-sensitive inventory out of the projected path, as long as carriers, ports and roads are still operating and the shipment remains fully compliant. Do not rush packaging or paperwork under pressure.
Do hazmat containers have special rules at ports during storms?
Terminals may impose earlier cutoffs and special handling for dangerous goods containers. Always check the terminal’s and your shipping line’s current notices.
