With hurricanes and tornadoes making headlines, jobsites become particularly vulnerable to property damage and safety risks. 

Staying ahead of the weather with a proactive plan is your best defense against costly setbacks — and potential harm to your crew. The following strategies will help you navigate storm season safely and effectively.

1. Develop and Communicate a Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan

Having an emergency response plan isn’t just smart — it’s essential. Your team should know exactly what to do when a weather alert is issued. A well-structured, consistently reinforced plan can help prevent chaos and confusion when every second counts. 

Key elements when building or revisiting your emergency response plan include:

• Define activation conditions: Specify what weather alerts or warnings will trigger your storm response protocol.
• Establish a chain of command: Clarify who is responsible for making decisions and coordinating the team.
• Outline evacuation procedures: Include detailed escape routes and an accountability system for ensuring everyone is safe.
• Train your team regularly: Practice drills to ensure workers respond confidently and quickly under pressure.

2. Secure the Site Against High Winds and Flooding

Storms can turn a jobsite into a hazard zone within minutes. That’s why securing your materials, structures, and tools should be a priority well before any storm hits. Confirm that scaffolding is structurally sound and can support at least four times its maximum intended load to remain stable under stress. 

Take the following steps to strengthen your site and reduce potential storm damage:

• Anchor or remove unsecured items: Tie down materials, tools, dumpsters, signage, and anything else that could become airborne.
• Reinforce vulnerable structures: Inspect scaffolding, temporary walls, and cranes for stability and reinforce as needed.
• Protect exposed areas: Use plywood or storm shutters to cover doors and windows in unfinished buildings.
• Prevent flood damage: Elevate electrical panels and move sensitive equipment away from low-lying areas.

3. Implement Lightning Safety Protocols

Lightning often strikes with little warning, and construction sites — with their cranes, metal scaffolding, and exposed equipment — are especially high-risk zones. With storms becoming more frequent due to climate change, having a clear lightning safety plan can save lives.

When lightning is a threat, stop outdoor work immediately. Workers should avoid metal objects and move into fully enclosed buildings with plumbing and electrical wiring. Never shelter under tall or isolated structures. A pause in operations is far safer than risking a strike.

4. Establish Safe Shelter Areas for Workers

To protect your team, you need clearly designated shelter areas that are quickly accessible in an emergency. Preparation here can prevent serious injury. Below are best practices for setting up and maintaining storm shelters:

• Choose safe locations: Interior, windowless rooms within permanent structures are ideal.
• Stock emergency supplies: Include first-aid kits, flashlights, bottled water, snacks, and a battery-powered weather radio.
• Make shelter access clear: Post signage and ensure all workers know where shelters are and how to reach them quickly.

5. Conduct Post-Storm Assessments Before Resuming Work

Once a storm has passed, resist the urge to return to work without assessing the site's safety. If hidden hazards remain, a rushed return can lead to injury or further damage.

Start with a full walk-through of the site. Look for structural damage to scaffolding, cranes, or incomplete buildings. Check for electrical issues, especially waterlogged panels or exposed wiring. Remove debris cautiously, as nails, glass, and sharp materials are easy to overlook. Finally, document all damage and send it to the insurance company before restarting tasks.

Safety Starts With Preparedness

Storms are unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. You can minimize disruptions and protect your team with a clear plan, a secure jobsite, designated shelters, and consistent safety training. As storm season continues, make safety a daily habit, not just a checklist. Your workers — and your timeline — depend on it.