Which of the following steps should be followed PRIOR to a hurricane?

Which of the following steps should be followed PRIOR to a hurricane?

• A. Evacuate underground levels
• B. Inspect all windows from inside only
• C. Protecting the equipment located on underground levels
• D. Shut down all power immediately

Answer: (C)

Before a hurricane, the focus is on safeguarding anything most exposed to flood and storm damage. Equipment located in underground levels is especially at risk because water can quickly intrude and disable critical systems, causing long outages and expensive repairs. Protecting that equipment directly reduces the chances of flood-related failures: you can move or elevate essential gear, seal openings, use flood barriers, and ensure pumps and drainage are ready. The other options don’t address the primary risk in the same direct way. Evacuating people from underground levels isn’t a preventive action for protecting equipment and can be dangerous if floodwaters rise. Inspecting windows from inside only doesn’t mitigate the exterior entry points or debris impact. Shutting down power immediately isn’t a universal pre-storm rule; it should follow a planned, safe procedure to avoid creating hazards or damaging equipment that should stay powered until it’s safe.

Before a hurricane, the focus is on safeguarding anything most exposed to flood and storm damage. Equipment located in underground levels is especially at risk because water can quickly intrude and disable critical systems, causing long outages and expensive repairs. Protecting that equipment directly reduces the chances of flood-related failures: you can move or elevate essential gear, seal openings, use flood barriers, and ensure pumps and drainage are ready.

The other options don’t address the primary risk in the same direct way. Evacuating people from underground levels isn’t a preventive action for protecting equipment and can be dangerous if floodwaters rise. Inspecting windows from inside only doesn’t mitigate the exterior entry points or debris impact. Shutting down power immediately isn’t a universal pre-storm rule; it should follow a planned, safe procedure to avoid creating hazards or damaging equipment that should stay powered until it’s safe.