The
SBA (Small Business Administration) encourages
business owners to prepare for the possibility
of a major
disaster
and offers
the
following tips:
• Start the disaster plan by identifying what your operation needs to do to protect
itself in the face of a natural disaster. Even if
you don’t own the building where you do business,
take steps to protect your assets.
• Determine what production machinery, computers
and other essential equipment is needed to keep
your business open. Store extra supplies offsite,
and
make a plan for a temporary location if your company
is forced to relocate after the disaster. Be ready
for utility disruptions with a portable generator.
• Find escape routes from the business and establish
meeting places. Make sure everyone understands
the emergency plan before the storm hits. Designate
a
contact person to communicate with other employees,
customers and vendors.
• Review your insurance coverage to make sure
you understand what is not covered. Most policies
don’t
cover flood damage.
• The National Flood Insurance Program provides
coverage to property owners. Go to the NFIP
Web site at www.floodsmart.gov.
• Consider business interruption insurance.
It covers operating expenses, like utilities,
and
compensates
you for the income lost after a temporary
closure.
• Make back-up copies of all tax, accounting,
payroll and production records and customer
data on computer
hard drives, and store the records at
an offsite location at least 100 miles away.
Important
documents should be saved in fireproof
safe deposit boxes.
• To protect your property from wind
damage, install impact-resistant windows
and door
systems, or plywood
shutters. Hire a professional to evaluate
your roof to make sure it can weather
a major storm.
• Develop a post-disaster communications
strategy. Keep current phone numbers
for your suppliers,
employees, customers, utility companies,
local media, and emergency
agencies. Appoint a spokesperson
to get the word out that your company
is still
open
and on the
road to recovery, to dispel rumors
of business failure.
• More preparedness tips for businesses,
homeowners and renters are available
on the SBA’s Web
site at www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/prepared/getready.html.
The Institute for Business and
Home Safety (www.ibhs.org
) also has information on protecting
your home or
business. The federal government’s
preparedness Web site www.ready.gov
is another helpful
resource.
