With Hurricane Erin re-intensifying into a Category 4 storm and churning across the Atlantic, it's not scheduled to make landfall—but its size and strength present serious threats in the form of dangerous surf, rip currents, and strong winds along the U.S. East Coast.
For pool service companies—especially those operating in coastal areas or serving clients who rely on pool safety and functionality—today is the day for swift, proactive measures.
1. Schedule Early Safety Calls with Clients
- Double-check holiday or weekend contact preferences, as clients may be overwhelmed with evacuation orders (e.g., Hatteras Island residents are under mandatory evacuation) AP News+2AP News+2.
- Remind clients to remove pool furniture, toys, and other debris from the yard to prevent wind damage or projectiles.
2. Secure Equipment and Pool Covers Thoroughly
- Ensure automated covers are latched down and locked; loose covers can balloon and tear under gusty conditions.
- Outdoor pumps, skimmers, and hoses should be secured, ideally brought inside or anchored with sandbags to prevent them from becoming hazards.
3. Optimize Water Levels Responsibly
- Lower water levels slightly to accommodate potential rainwater surge, but not so low that it puts undue pressure on the pool’s structure.
- Avoid draining pools entirely, which can cause structural stress or collapse, particularly with high hurricane-force winds and saturated ground.
4. Strengthen Backup Power Plans
- Verify any generator systems are tested and fueled—especially important as offshore storms like Erin are already causing localized power outages, such as those in Puerto Rico affecting over 147,000 people People.com+11AP News+11The Guardian+11.
- For areas prone to outages, consider portable battery packs for essential monitoring equipment like water-level sensors.
5. Stockpile Emergency Supplies
- Ensure chemicals (chlorine, shock treatment, algaecide) are on-hand, securely stored in waterproof containers or elevated shelves.
- Test kits (for pH, sanitizer levels) should be organized and accessible so you can quickly restore pool balance once the storm passes.
6. Review Insurance and Service Contracts
- Confirm that your service agreements cover weather-related emergency calls and know your policy on after-hours storm assessments.
- Document pre-storm conditions with timestamps and photos—helps with any potential insurance claims or client disputes over damages.
7. Plan for Post-Storm Assessment & Cleanup
- Even though the center of Erin isn’t expected to make landfall, heavy rain and flooding risks persist—especially in flood-prone zones like the Outer Banks Reuters+10The Weather Channel+10AP News+10.
- Communicate with clients that post-storm inspections (for debris, chemical balance, structural integrity) will be a top priority—schedule them in advance to be first on the list.
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