hurricane preparedness checklist businesses

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST BUSINESSES HOW TO
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST BUSINESSES UPDATE

, sponsored by the Small Business Administration A number of online disaster prep resources are available from federal and state government agencies, and some include checklists that will help owners decide what they need to do. As Irma moved north, it hit cities like Atlanta, hundreds of miles away from the ocean.ĭisaster planning can be highly detailed, and owners may not realize they’re forgetting important aspects of protecting their companies. But once owners know where their staffers will be sheltered, they should have a complete list of locations.īusinesses in inland places rarely hit by hurricanes should do at least basic planning. As Hurricane Irma approached southeastern Florida in 2017, some residents who evacuated to Tampa in expectation the western coast of the state would be spared had to hurriedly move further north when the storm’s course changed. Owners who want to shelter employees on their premises if necessary should stock up on water and food that doesn’t need refrigeration, flashlights, bedding and battery-operated radios and cellphone chargers.Įvacuation planning is harder to do in advance because of the unpredictability of a storm’s path. If they’ve been meaning to buy generators in case the power goes out, this is the time to do it - when a storm is on the way, generators quickly disappear from stores.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST BUSINESSES UPDATE

The National Hurricane Center has not issued its forecast yet, but last week it did warn about a tropical system that was expected to bring heavy rains to the eastern Florida coast.Īlthough some preparation can’t be done until the last minute, owners can sign up now with data storage and backup services, update their contact lists for employees, customers and suppliers and check in with insurance brokers to be sure their companies are adequately covered. An average season has 12 named storms and six hurricanes the hurricane season officially ends Nov. That compares with the 15 named storms and eight hurricanes in 2018, including Hurricanes Florence and Michael that caused billions of dollars in damage. Meteorologists at Colorado State University issued their first forecast for the season in April, predicting 13 named storms - tropical storms or hurricanes with sustained wind speeds of 39 mph or higher.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST BUSINESSES HOW TO

But owners should think now at least about basic disaster planning, including how to protect their employees, computer data and premises. NEW YORK - With the start of the Atlantic hurricane season approaching next month, small business owners can expect to hear admonishments from government agencies about getting prepared.ĭisaster prep is something many owners intend to get to, but it gets pushed down the to-do list by more immediate concerns about customers, employees, finances and suppliers. Human Resources & Professional Development.

Hurricane preparedness checklist businesses