2023 HURRICANE SEASON 2023 HURRICANE SEASON

Hurricane season is here!

(June 1 to November 30)

NOAA’s outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 5 to 9 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence intheseranges.

A well-thought-out hurricane preparedness checklist for your teams can make preparing for this challenging season much, much more manageable. Please ensure that all employees have read and understand the Hurricane Policy & Procedures. We have provided checklists to help keep your people and property safe before, during, andafterastorm.

When a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall, damage and disruption soon follows. Food and basic supplies may run out or be cut off for a period of time. Fallen trees can wipe out electricity, and roadways may flood at a moment’s notice. Experiencing a hurricane can be a stressful situation. But the more time and effort you put into your emergency preparedness plan, the easier it will be to remain calm, act quickly, and lessen the impact on your business. Understanding the risks your stores may face in a severe weather event is multifaceted.

The first step is to identify a storm in its infancy so that you can start to gauge how it will affect your people and business. Severe weather events evolve rapidly. So, whether you are monitoring NOAAandlocalweatheradvisories,thelateststorm data is key to understanding your potential for impact.

A copy of the SMG Hurricane Preparation & Procedure will be emailed to our employees. Area Leaders will follow up either with a call or meeting with their respective stores to discuss the checklistsputforthinthepolicy.

SMG HURRICANE POLICY & PROCEDURES

Beginning of Season Checklist:

1. This checklist is to be reviewed with each Area Manager every year at the beginning of the hurricane season. Do not wait until a storm warningtoexecutethischecklist.

2. Ensure you have your employees’ emergency contact information up todate.

3. Note the contact info for neighboring stores, and their store managers. Thisinformationcouldbeveryusefulafterthestorm.

4. Check that the store’s water drain systems are clear and operating properly.

5. Ensure the store’s computer battery back-up systems (UPCs) are operating properly and holding charge. Consult with the Company’s IT department if not sure how to do this. Any defective units should be replacedimmediately.

6. Check that all shutters, rolling doors and other window and door coverings are working properly. There should be wooden panels and the hardwaretoinstallthemtocoverwindowswithoutshutters.

7.Anywaterleaksshouldbefixed.

8. Review the store’s electric generator plan. The Company will have a number of electric generators available to deploy to stores as needed to deal with possible power outages after a storm. This plan should be reviewedwiththeAreaManagers.TheCompanywillalsoverifythatithas parts in stock for the electric generators: Oil filters, oil, and any other consumables.

9. The store should have sufficient extension cords (10-12 gauge) of the appropriate length to reach the computer terminals from a generator located outside the store. In addition, it should have enough power strips to plug in at least two terminals at the front counter, and the store computers.

10. Have available fluorescent lights (4’ to 6’ sets cost approx. $20-$30) and fans ready to help the store operate as comfortably as possible on generatorpower.

11. Each store should have a large banner printed with the words “OPEN”,todeployafterastorm.

12. Check that the store has enough tarps or plastic sheeting to cover all computer terminals and the servers, as well as the store’s sensitive merchandise(electronics,forexample),especiallyloanitems.

13.Checkthatthestorehassandbagstopreventflooding.

14. Set up a group text with the Store Manager, Assistant Manager, Area ManagerandDirectorofOperationssowecancommunicatepriorto,and after,thestormwithphotos andupdates.