BUSINESS PREPARATION

TIMELINE

Before A Storm

It is important to have your preparedness materials and plans ready for your business.

MAKE A BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND RECOVERY PLAN

Resources such as the Carolina Small Business Development Fund and Small Business Administration (SBA) offer helpful guides and checklists to get started.

REVIEW YOUR BUSINESS-

Related Insurance Policies

Ensure you have enough coverage. If you lease your business space, talk to your building owner to review their insurance policy and their disaster plan.

INSPECT YOUR PROPERTY

Note any repairs that need to take place. If you see visible roof damage, contact a roofing expert to address those issues and conduct a thorough inspection. Looks for areas on your structure where water and wind damage could occur.

48 Hours Before A Storm Within 48 Hours

The National Hurricane Center will issue tropical storm or hurricane watches. This is your cue to put your storm plan into action and listen to local officials and trusted media closely.

SECURE YOUR DOCUMENTS

This includes your insurance information and vital business records. Any electronic information should be saved to a cloud-based server or on removable media such as a USB flash drive.

TAKE INVENTORY AND SECURE

Equipment

Identify items you can take with you such as phones and laptops. Larger items that cannot be moved, such as a copier, should be documented and photographed for insurance.

KEEP IMPORTANT CONTACT

INFORMATION HANDY

This includes utility providers, insurance agents, your landlord if you lease, and anyone you may need to contact about your business operations before, during, and after the storm.

MAINTAIN UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION

Keep employees in contact with each other in the event you must evacuate the area or will need to conduct operations remotely.

IDENTIFY HOW YOU WILL COMMUNICATE

Customers and employees need to be notified with out of office and operational information. Tools such as your business line answering message, email contact list, or social media can be utilized to relay important information.

36 Hours Before A Storm

Now is the time to finish up your hurricane preparedness plan and follow directions from local officials. If you are evacuating, share your plans with co-workers, and family outside of the affected area. If you are sheltering in place, finish your preparations at home to ride out the storm.