A major storm is approaching the Gulf Coast, but there’s still time to prepare and protect your small business, clients, and employees from Hurricane Harvey. Your business’s survival is crucial for your community’s economic recovery after the disaster.
Before Hurricane Harvey hits, here are a few steps to ensure safety during the storm and facilitate a quicker recovery afterward:
1. **Create a Disaster Supply Kit**: Include essentials like a flashlight with extra batteries, non-perishable foods, one gallon of water per person per day, a first-aid kit, medications, and cash. Consider what you and your family will need while evacuating or sheltering. For a complete list, visit ready.gov.
2. **Secure Important Documents**: Collect key papers such as deeds, leases, title documents, insurance policies, financial records, inventory documents, and personal IDs like birth certificates and passports. Place these in a three-ring binder with pockets, put the binder in a waterproof bag, and take it with you if you evacuate. You’ll need these documents during the recovery phase.
3. **Backup Data**: Save your computer data in the cloud or on a flash drive to protect your information.
4. **Communication Plan**: Establish a plan to communicate with your employees and clients to ensure everyone’s safety and to notify them about your business reopening.
5. **Follow Evacuation Orders**: If ordered to evacuate, know your evacuation routes and plan where you’ll stay.
6. **Stay Informed and Safe**: Download the FEMA mobile app for the latest weather updates, shelter information, disaster resources, and preparedness tips in both English and Spanish.
Once a disaster declaration is made, the U.S. Small Business Administration offers long-term recovery assistance to businesses of all sizes, homeowners, and renters through low-interest disaster loans. For more information on SBA’s disaster assistance program, visit sba.gov/disaster.
