Hurricane season for small businesses

With the start of hurricane season officially upon us, it is more important than ever for residents and small businesses to remember that the best course of action to limit damage from natural disasters is preparing before the disaster hits.

Natural disasters are not just more devastating; they are also coming faster, more frequently, and are often rapidly changing in their complexity and scope. In 2020, the United States suffered 22 separate billion-dollar disasters —the most in our history— but experts in the space expect that number to continue to climb.

Preparation is key. By helping small businesses, homeowners, renters, and others shift their focus to preparedness, we can help reduce the impacts of future disasters. A few ways businesses can get ready for this year’s hurricane season:

• Establish a communications plan and subscribe to local emergency management alerts.
• Protect vital information in the cloud.
• Review insurance coverage, consider business interruption insurance, and take a video inventory of property and assets.
• Complete facilities and operations planning; consider e-commerce solutions or temporary alternative locations to resume operations quickly and evaluate supply chains.
• Engage in pre-disaster contract development opportunities.
• Practice and test your plan with managers and staff.