Prepare Your Business for Hurricane Season With This Checklist

Hurricane season begins on June 1 and runs until the end of November. It’s vital to ensure your business is prepared, should disaster strike. A natural disaster can greatly damage your bottom line and some organizations simply never recover.

Make sure that you’re able to reopen your doors after any catastrophe by doing some prep work. According to Agility Recovery, the largest threat to businesses is high winds that come along with storms during the hurricane season. The vendor provided a checklist for enterprises and employees to make sure professionals have an understanding of what to do to get ready for hurricane season and during an actual storm.

Before the storm:

• Listen to forecasts and make sure you’re aware of a storm’s progress if it’s heading to your area.
• Learn safe evacuation routes, plus alternative routes.
• Review your shelter-in-place plan and ensure that your disaster kit is fully stocked.
• Define an emergency communication plan and test it.
• Backup all data on servers and personal computers; be sure to take backup tapes during an evacuation.
• Make sure non-critical devices and equipment are off.
• Check the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and move it to the highest spot possible above ground.
• Check and repair gutters and drains; install windstorm shutters over windows and doors.
• Make sure roof equipment, portable buildings, outdoor signs and heavy equipment are secure.
•  Let a third party in on your relocation plans.
• Ensure that your vital records are in a safe place.
• Secure storage of anything flammable.

During the storm:

• If you are able, patrol your property continuously to watch for leaks in the roof, broken pipes, structural damage or a fire.
• Staff should be directed to a place that is safe from strong winds and flooding if employees are at work throughout the storm.
• Continuously monitor any equipment that must remain on line.
• If you lose power, turn off electrical switches to prevent reactivation before necessary checks are completed.

After the Storm:

• After an area is declared safe, tour and secure the site.
• Check for live wires, leaking gas, flammable liquids and damage to the foundation.
• Make sure safety systems are implemented and notify contractors if repairs are necessary.

If you follow this checklist, your business should be able to recover after a storm and quickly. If you’re still concerned, implement a disaster recovery tool to ensure you have help.