According to FEMA, 40% of small businesses don’t reopen after a major natural disaster. Knowing how to prepare for weather events can help your business run smoothly when they occur and stay resilient in the aftermath.
If weather troubles are headed your way, here’s how your small business can manage them proactively:
- Research which weather events are most likely to affect your business’s location. Winter weather may be a problem if your business is in the North, while hurricanes are more likely in the South. Knowing what to expect where you are can help your business prepare for specific emergencies.
- Implement alternative power solutions. Weather events can disrupt your business’s power and prevent it from reopening longer than you might expect. If you rely on the power grid, it may be helpful to keep a backup generator. You could also use a different power source entirely by switching to clean energy and installing solar panels, which generate power on-site.
- Develop a disaster preparedness plan. A disaster preparedness plan should outline how your business will operate during a weather event. It should include details such as whether you will work in-person or remotely, what to do if employees are on-site in a weather emergency, and how you will protect equipment and important records.
- Secure important documents. Essential files are the foundation of your small business, so you don’t want to lose them. Back up documents with digital copies and upload them to a hard drive or the Cloud. If a disaster is coming, move all paperwork to a safe place.
- Plan to continue working remotely if possible. You can’t rely on your business’s storefront or office during a weather event because it may not be safe for your team and customers to come in. Make sure you and your employees have any equipment or files they need to carry out operations from home until it’s safe to return to work in person.
- Communicate with your customers. Your customers may still need your business’s offerings during a severe weather event. In these instances, provide regular updates on your business’s website and social media about when you’ll be open, how customers can access their needs, and any changes in operations.
- Protect your business from physical damage. There are steps you can take to minimize the impact of specific weather elements. For example, you can add insulation to prevent frozen pipes, install storm shutters to avoid shattered windows, or use sandbags and tarps to prevent flooding.
- Prepare a list of professionals for repairs. Once a weather event is over, you’ll want to fix any damage as soon as possible. Make sure you have a designated professional to contact for each type of repair such as plumbing, electricity, roofing, and more.
- Check your business’s insurance policy. Coverage for specific weather events, such as flooding, may not be included in your policy. Depending on the weather troubles your business is likely to face, you may want to add additional coverage.
- Know your resources for support. If your business is affected by a weather event, you’re not alone in recovering. Organizations such as FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration may be able to provide aid.
Major weather events don’t have to take a toll on your small business. Plan ahead now so your business can continue being a resource for your community when it needs you most.