Welp MagazineSummer is just around the corner, and that means sunshine and beach weather are coming. Unfortunately for businesses and residents in the Gulf Coast, summer also means the return of hurricane season. If you’re a business owner in a vulnerable area of the country, there are some things you should keep in mind to protect your business, your customers, and your employees. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your business for hurricane season.
Come Up With a Plan for Action
In times of crisis, the last thing you want is for your employees not to feel safe. Keep track of where everyone is, including remote workers, and let them know they will have plenty of time to evacuate and return when the storm is over. Keep contact information up to date and have a system in place to send notifications en masse. Trying to keep your employees working as long as possible before a storm makes landfall is not only dangerous and unprofessional, but it can also lead to safety and legal troubles for your business.
Take Stock of Data and Inventory
Hurricanes can not only damage your property with flooding and wind damage; they can also lead to power outages and gas shortages that can devastate a business if you are not careful. Have your electronic data and documents backed up and transported to a safe place offsite or uploaded to a reliable cloud network. Take note of all your assets, where they are located, and what your plans to protect them are. Ensure your insurance is up to date, and you have all your inventory accounted for if you need to make a claim.
Secure Your Property
The ultimate test for all your hard work will be when the storm hits. Make sure you have the proper infrastructure in place to minimize damage as much as possible. Buy shutters and plywood in advance to board up vulnerable windows, doors, and other areas susceptible to damage. Secure electronics and utilities and make sure your standby power equipment is reliable and up to code to ensure you can retain some form of power when electrical grids go down. Try to have your roof inspected and make any necessary repairs so it can withstand a storm.
Putting in as much effort as possible into preparing your business for worst-case scenarios can help prevent catastrophic accidents and keep your business up and running once the worst of a disaster is over.
