Member Resources

Hurricane Information Center

Preparing for a Storm

1. Catalog your business items
2. Review insurance coverage

• Meet with your insurance provider to review current coverage for such things as physical losses, flood coverage and business interruption.
• Understand what it covers and what it does not.
• Understand what your deductible is, if applicable.
• Consider how you will pay creditors and employees.
• Plan how you will provide for your own income if your business is interrupted.
• Find out what records your insurance provider will want to see after an emergency and store them in a safe place.

3. Secure your equipment

• Conduct a room-by-room walk-through to determine what needs to be secured.
• Attach equipment and cabinets to walls or other stable equipment.
• Place heavy or breakable objects on low shelves.
• Move workstations away from large windows, if possible.
• Elevate equipment off the floor to avoid electrical hazards in the event of flooding.

4. Prepare for utility disruptions

• Plan ahead for extended disruptions during and after a disaster. Carefully examine which utilities are vital to your business's day-to-day operation. Speak with service providers about potential alternatives and identify backup options.
• Learn how and when to turn off utilities. If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to turn the gas back on yourself.
• Consider purchasing portable generators to power the vital aspects of your business in an emergency. Never use a generator inside as it may produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. It is a good idea to pre-wire the generator to the most important equipment. Periodically test the backup system's operability.
• Decide how you will communicate with employees, customers, suppliers and others. Use cell phones, walkie-talkies or other devices that do not rely on electricity as a back up to your telecommunications system.
• Plan a secondary means of accessing the Internet if it is vital to your company's day-to-day operations.
• If food storage or refrigeration is an issue for your business, identify a vendor in advance that sells ice and dry ice in case you can't use refrigeration equipment.

5. Secure facilities, building and plants

• Identify what production machinery, computers, custom parts or other essential equipment is needed to keep your business open.
• Plan how to replace or repair vital equipment if it is damaged or destroyed.
• Identify more than one supplier who can replace or repair your equipment.
• Store extra supplies , materials and equipment for use in an emergency.
• Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store is not usable.

• Consider if you can run the business from a different location or from your home.
• Develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities in case a disaster makes your location unusable.
• Identify and comply with all local, state and federal codes and other safety regulations that apply to your business.
• Talk to your insurance provider about what impact any of these steps may have on your policy.

6. Have disaster supplies on hand

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First-aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Nonelectric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards

7. Cyber security. Protect your data and information technology systems. Back up your computer data.
8. Develop an emergency communication plan

Sources: Federal Emergency Management Agency; Ready Business