During hurricane season, there are a lot of “checklists” to go over in order to make sure you are prepared for a storm. While the 
priority is to ensure that your loved ones are safe, part of preparation also includes securing your home and any other properties, which can include your place of business.
According to the National Hurricane Survival Initiative, 40% of small businesses that close due to a hurricane never reopen, which is why is imperative that you prepare for the worst. Preparing your business for a storm is a lot like preparing your home. However, there are some additional items that you should think about in order to make sure you, your employees, and office space are prepared for a major storm.
Create an Emergency Plan for Your Business
We understand that there is a lot to manage when a storm is approaching but being prepared with a plan ahead of time is absolutely essential. Every business should have an emergency plan that has detailed, specific information about what to do in the event of an emergency. This plan should contain contact information for all decision makers and direct reports. It should be distributed to all employees and available on any internal portal. In addition, each employee should be aware of who they are to contact for information following a storm.
Prepare all Documents
It’s important to have a hard copy as well as a computer backup of all important documents such as any insurance policies, income tax returns, and a lease agreement if you are renting the office. These documents should be properly stored in a waterproof container in the safest, most easily accessible location possible. Additionally, these documents should be in an online folder stored on your cloud or computer hard drive.
Prepare Your Property
Prior to a storm, there are several steps you can take to prepare your office.
- Prior to storm season, have the roof of your business inspected by a professional to ensure that it is up to code and can weather a storm. Invest in quality shutters in order to protect your windows, especially if you do not have impact-resistant windows.
- If a storm threatening to make landfall, purchase sandbags to protect against flooding if you are in a flood zone. It may be a good idea to purchase sandbags ahead of storm season as these are sought-after items that often sell out fast when a storm is approaching.
- Bring all outside furniture inside the building prior to a storm.
- Secure all electronics inside by covering them in waterproof material and strapping them down if necessary.
- Take photos and videos of your property before the storm to use in any insurance claims that may need to be filed following the storm. Be sure to store these on a cloud server, but also in a place that is accessible should electricity go out and the internet is inaccessible.
While on Premise
If you decide to stay on-site rather than evacuating or heading to a storm shelter, you’ll need to take additional precautions.
- Make sure that there are enough provisions to last for at least three days. This includes three days of non-perishable food and water.
- There should be a comprehensive first aid kit and fire extinguisher located on-site, in addition to tarps, tape, and plastic bags that may be needed following a storm.
- Take out enough cash to get you through a few days if power is out and credit card machines are down.
- All cell phones and backup power sources should be fully charged before the storm. Also make sure there is a battery-operated radio onsite.
Last but not least, always check your insurance policies beforehand to make sure that you are fully covered. In the event that you are filing an insurance claim after a storm due to damage to your business, you should contact an attorney. It is possible that insurance companies may try to not cover certain damages that you are entitled to, especially if there is a large cost involved.
References:
Business Checklist. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://hurricanesafety.org/prepare/prepare-your-business/
