Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 6

7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 6 O p e n i n g L i n e s TERMINAL INDUSTRY PREPARES FOR HURRICANE SEASON WITH DRILLS, PLANS M embers of the International Liquid Terminal Association are prepared for the upcoming hurricane season – which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts as more active than normal – with drills, emergency preparedness plans, and ongoing communications with government, emergency response, and industry partners. The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30. While NOAA on May 20 predicted another very active hurricane season, it said its experts do not expect the historical level of storm activity of 2020. “Our industry takes hurricanes very seriously,” ILTA President Kathryn Clay said. “Our priorities are protecting our workers, the environment and our neighboring communities. Our member companies work to ensure the best possible operations even when hurricanes threaten to disrupt supply chains.” Terminals store a wide variety of products, including chemicals, crude oil, petroleum products, renewable fuels, asphalt, animal fats and oils, vegetable oils, molasses and fertilizers. ILTA members work with federal, state and local first responders and government officials to promote safety before, during, and after extreme storm events. Because no two storms are alike, ILTA members routinely participate in exercises and training to prepare and respond to many possible contingencies that may occur due to extreme weather events. It is industry practice to prepare for a storm in stages at 96 hours, 72 hours, and 48 hours prior to hurricane impact to ensure that terminals are safe and secured.