Preparing Your Business for Hurricane Season
June 1 marked the beginning of hurricane season. It's important to remember that hurricane preparedness does not end at home. An often overlooked segment of hurricane safety is the workplace. As a business owner, it is essential for you to take proactive steps in preparing for hurricanes to protect your business and employees.
Preparation requires a serious, thoughtful, and committed approach, whether your company is in a hurricane risk area or not. Some storms continue to wreak havoc as its path continues on land. Make hurricane preparedness your business and utilize the warning period. Hurricanes are the only natural event that gives you the opportunity to prepare before the disaster strikes, so make sure to use the time wisely. Be proactive, not reactive.
Below are 5 steps you can use to help your business be prepared:
1. Create an emergency action plan.
2. Protect your physical assets (computers, building, inventory).
3. Plan to work remotely.
4. Implement an effective communication strategy for employees, customers, and 3rd party supplier/vendors.
5. Remain flexible and adaptable.
By taking the initiative to start planning early, you can create a plan that will have you fully prepared in the event of a disaster. While securing plans for your home and family, take some time to focus on your business. Around 30% of small businesses that close due to hurricane damage do not reopen. In order to prevent your business from being in that number, it’s critical to prepare now.
For more tips and further examples of steps you can take to prepare your business, download FEMA’s Business Toolkit booklet.
Author’s Note: The actions suggested in this post are solely recommendations and not meant to be seen as a foolproof system to ensure your business survives a hurricane. However, if followed correctly, these steps may assist in your businesses' ability to quickly recover in the event of a hurricane.
