Earlier this year, Daktronics and Patti Reeves of Island Displays posted excellent advice for hurricane readiness. After the particularly destructive Atlantic hurricane season, OAAA’s Kerry Yoakum conferred with veteran operations managers Micky Vint at Lamar Advertising Company and Steve Hillwig at OUTFRONT Media to find out what works and how to get ready for future storms.

Use the off-season to reduce hurricane risks.

Replace older wooden poles with new poles (per local ordinances). As an ongoing goal, work with localities and regulators to allow rebuilding after storm damage. Guidance from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides ranges for reconstruction. Install hurricane frames for easy removal of vinyl, to reduce wind loads.

Create market-by-market hurricane plans to identify/prioritize vulnerable structures. Prior to storms, stock essentials (such as fuel, materials, and water for the workers).

Exploit technology.

Smartlink Controllers can remotely turn off our board electrical components in digital displays before hurricane hit.

Google Earth and Google Maps can show contractors how to access billboard locations for repairs and rebuilding.

Interactive spreadsheets help shape post-storm strategy, by assessing damage in real time. Smart phone technology can automatically download to a main database, with quick and accurate details.

Weather websites are good, timely predictors of hurricane paths, which helps planning.

Digital Billboards 

Follow the manufactures’ hurricane-prep procedures; power down displays even if the manufacturer does not require it.

On older units, Lamar and OUTFRONT power down the entire display and turn off circuit breakers inside the display to everything except the fans, and also turn off the main circuit breakers. This procedure allows — after storms — to turn on power to only the fans to remove any moisture for a minimum of 24 hours.

With newer displays, these companies turn off power on site at the main panel or remotely via the SmartLink system. Physical inspections for moisture precede the return of power.

What is Number One?

Remove the face from static billboards to reduce wind load and turn off digital displays to reduce potential damage from water intrusion.

Employees are the most valued asset. They are central to any hurricane plan, for their safety and their families.

[wpforms id=”9787″]

Paid Advertisement