This winter has been intense, with deadly tornadoes in Texas, severe flooding in Missouri and 12 other states along the Mississippi River, unusually strong storms in Southern California with 70 mph winds and heavy rains, and a massive two-day blizzard that dumped over 30 inches of snow from the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England.
Small businesses have been hit hard by these events. For instance, the Washington, D.C. metro area had to shut down during the January 22-24 blizzard. Even nearly a week later, residents and small businesses were still recovering.
Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say the strong El Niño weather pattern in 2016 could bring more rain to the southern U.S., from California to the central Plains, and the Southeast coastal area.
However, it’s not necessarily El Niño or a big flood that will disrupt your business. More often, it’s random issues like power outages or burst pipes. You can protect your business by taking some simple steps before disaster hits:
1. **Assess Your Risks**: Identify your greatest risks, like loss of heat, frozen pipes, or loss of access due to icy conditions or flooding. Think about the impact of having to shut down for several days. Evaluate the building where you operate to identify and prevent potential damage from future storms, wind, or water.
2. **Power Needs**: Have an electrician determine your power needs and find out what kind of backup generator you might need. Make sure you have permission from your landlord to use a generator.
3. **Create a Communications Plan**: Set up an email alert system to keep employees and key stakeholders informed. Use phone, texting, and social media to provide updates on your recovery and to let everyone know you’re still operational. Ensure you can access your business website and social media remotely to post your status.
4. **Prepare Your Supply Chain**: Build relationships with alternative vendors in case your primary contractors are unavailable. Check if your main suppliers have their own recovery plans. Maintain a contact list of important contractors and vendors for emergencies.
5. **Insurance Coverage**: Talk to your insurance agent to make sure your policy is adequate. Consider Business Interruption Insurance to cover lost income if you have to temporarily close.
6. **Protect Critical Data**: Use a reliable cloud backup provider to secure your vital information. This ensures your records and invoices are safe and accessible even if a disaster wipes out your data center.
7. **Test Your Plan**: Conduct annual drills with your staff to see what works well and what needs improvement.
For a checklist to stay organized and identify potential risks, visit Agility Recovery’s PrepareMyBusiness.org site, which offers various emergency planning checklists to aid in quick recovery from disasters.
For social media planning in emergencies, check out the free “Social Media and Disaster Recovery” webinar hosted by SBA and Agility Recovery.
Other useful resources include:
– Ready.gov: Emergency preparedness tips for both businesses and residents.
– American Red Cross Ready Rating: A self-assessment disaster preparedness tool for businesses.
– Insurance Information Institute: Tips on getting the best coverage for your business, filing a claim after a disaster, and more.
