June 1 through November 30 is designated as hurricane season, although storms can form at any time of the year.
An average hurricane season, as defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is comprised of 14 tropical storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. The last six years have consecutively seen above-average tropical storm and hurricane activity, reflecting a pattern of storms that are more frequent and intense than previously experienced.
In the 2020 hurricane season, there were 30 named storms; of these 30 named, 13 actually became hurricanes and 6 of them were major hurricanes—meaning top wind speeds reached more than 111 mph. During the 2021 season, there were 21 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes.
Such storms can bring tremendous damage to your municipality, so it’s important to prepare for the season. GPS tracking solutions can help streamline municipal operations and keep your workers safe; keep reading to learn more!
Hurricane season 2022 is scheduled to be a doozy, according to predictions made by NOAA based on above-average Atlantic ocean temperatures and weather patterns like La Niña that contribute to hurricane frequency and strength.
There are an estimated 21 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes slated to wash through the next few months, and it’s vital that your municipality stays ahead of the curve as best you can.
How well is your fleet currently performing? Are there any assets that need servicing or other attention to ensure peak performance? Taking stock of your fleet vehicles and assets now—as opposed to when a storm is imminent—helps your municipality take a proactive look at hurricane season.
Ideally, your municipality is already monitoring the status and condition of your fleet and assets around the year! Hurricane season can definitely put a strain on your fleet and other resources, but it’s important to regularly track the status of your government assets regardless of the season.
If your municipality is in a flood zone or if your assets are stored in facilities that might not adequately withstand a hurricane’s forces, then it’s important to strategize where you can relocate your resources so that they are protected and secure. This means considering secondary location factors in relation to weather conditions and general security standards. For example, moving your fleet vehicles to a parking garage might be solid for withstanding a hurricane, but could be risky if thieves target that location and there isn’t additional security in place.
Your municipality operations are nonexistent without the support of your staff and employees; remind them of what safety measures and timelines are in place to keep them out of the hurricane’s danger. This might take the form of training, a well-circulated newsletter, or other interventions that ensure both your municipality’s fleet, staff, and other resources are safe during hurricane season.
Your municipality has numerous moving parts to it; from sanitation operations to utility responsibilities and more, your municipal fleet needs to streamline as many aspects of its operations as possible to deliver effective services to your community!
That’s where a GPS tracking solution powered by Rastrac is the ace up your sleeve, empowering you to optimize your fleet and assets to best serve your municipality. Check out these top benefits from Rastrac’s GPS tracking solutions:
Rastrac has been trusted to track more than $1.5 billion worth of assets globally—and for good reason. With almost 30 years of experience, we know the ins and outs of GPS fleet tracking and asset management systems. Our experts are eager to help your municipality improve safety during hurricane season and streamline your operations around the year!
Contact us today to get started!