Greater Wilmington Business Journal
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
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2021 HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE SPONSORS’ CONTENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GREATER WILMINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL BY MORGAN MATTOX
While the Cape Fear region continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and we all are hopeful that our day-to-day life will return to normal very soon, we are again faced with another potential test of our resiliency, the annual Atlantic hurricane season. With the season beginning June 1, and running through November 30, now is the time to make plans for your family and business to respond in the event our region lands in the path of another tropical system. Our community is no stranger to the strong winds, storm surge, and flooding brought by hurricanes, and that is why those of us who live here for any length of time have become skilled and experienced with hurricane preparations and post-storm clean-up efforts. This year, as we move out of the isolation of the pandemic, we still need to be thoughtful and diligent about making sure any remaining pandemic guidelines are respected and adhered to in the event of a hurricane. While many people have been vaccinated and we are seeing the number of COVID-19 cases drop, the virus is still spreading as the population continues to work toward herd immunity.
This year, hurricane forecasters are predicting an above average likelihood for tropical storm activity in the Atlantic basin, with up to 20 named storms – of which 10 could become hurricanes and five major hurricanes – expected to form. And while we know it’s important to consider these predictions, hurricanes are unpredictable and can cause serious harm even if it’s only one that makes landfall here, sometimes giving the unprepared only days to prepare and evacuate if needed. Avoiding major devastation requires preparing before the threat of a hurricane is even on the radar. So, what can business owners do to prepare while still being mindful of the remaining COVID-19 precautions? Preparations for hurricane season should always be top-ofmind for business owners this time of year. Business owners should develop evacuation and communication plans for employees and their customers. Many businesses are still working with remote employees, so making sure communication of your plan includes those workers is a particularly essential part of any company’s hurricane preparations this year.
2021 HURRICANE PREP GUIDE PREPARING FOR THE HURRICANE SEASON AS A BUSINESS OWNER
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H ow can L ocal B usinesses P repare ─ S mall B usiness A ssistance P rograms S tatus of C ommunity R esources H ow to C reate a H urricane P reparedness P lan B usiness C ontinuity P lans S mall B usiness C hecklist
STAY SAFE THIS HURRICANE SEASON
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HOW CAN LOCAL BUSINESSES PREPARE In order to increase awareness about the importance of hurricane preparation, Steven Still, Director of New Hanover County Emergency Management, states, “To be #ReadyNHC, we encourage business owners, and all residents to take three steps toward all-hazards preparation: Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Stay Informed.” The county’s emergency management team encourages businesses to assess their risk to emergency situations. Take a step back and consider how your business would be impacted and the possible recovery steps that would be needed post-hurricane. What are the needs of your business? How would your employees navigate through a natural disaster situation? Taking the time to consider questions like these help business owners formulate the best preparedness plan. After your plan is built, making sure that your resources and supplies are in place for quick access is imperative. Business owners who need assistance with planning for emergencies like a hurricane can contact New Hanover County Emergency Management to schedule a consultation. This is just one of the many resources that
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
the emergency management team offers to business owners.
SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS If an emergency such as a hurricane results in a federal disaster, the Small Business Administration will typically provide opportunities for businesses to apply for lowinterest loans. These loans cover things like damage and loss of income. If a hurricane is declared as a major disaster, disaster unemployment benefits are an option if individuals become unemployed as a result of the declared disaster. For example, an SBA Business Physical Disaster Loan will cover things like repairs or replacements of real estate, inventory, supplies, machinery, and equipment while an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) helps businesses cover working capital needed to fulfil routine financial obligations. According to Still, “In the past, the county has also used emergency funding to create grants and forgivable loans businesses can apply for to mitigate emergencies. Resources can change depending on the emergency, so sign up for Emergency News at ReadyNHC. com to get information as it becomes
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Greater Wilmington Business Journal available.” Natalie English, President and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, adds, “Historically, the state of North Carolina’s Department of Commerce has introduced grant opportunities following natural disasters to help qualifying business owners access relief funds to accelerate their recovery.”
STATUS OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES The response and recovery associated with the pandemic over the past year has affected many resources, both locally and nationally. New Hanover County navigated the challenges of these resource shortages last year but is not feeling the strains of resource shortages this year as we move out of the pandemic. However, making plans to include physical distancing is still top-of-mind and securing space to accommodate separation will continue to be a part of the plan this year. While some supply chain shortages have diminished, there are still pressures leading to increased prices and empty shelves for some items. These pressures have not affected the planning that New Hanover County Emergency Management officials have done throughout the year as resources are pre-
Greater Wilmington Business Journal positioned to ensure a swift recovery process. While supply chain pressures will not affect New Hanover County and their efforts in storm preparation, they might impact residents. It is encouraged that businesses and households alike build an emergency kit now and stock up on needed supplies. If your kit and plan are built in advance, there will be no need to be stuck in the crowds who are buying last-minute supplies as the immediate threat of a hurricane looms.
HOW TO CREATE A HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS PLAN Creating a hurricane preparedness plan for your business should focus on keeping safe and having a plan in place to keep the business operating, even if that means offsite. Considering the risks and developing your hurricane preparedness plan will limit the stress and panic that occurs during an emergency situation. Making sure that your plan is created, in place, and practiced is essential to disaster resistance and recovery. An excellent resource for businesses is Ready.gov/business. Here, business owners can view preparedness toolkits, plan
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE templates, and information to help create a plan and build a kit. Staying informed with the most current tools and resources to aid in the creation of a proper emergency plan is key for making sure your business stays safe during a weather emergency. After Hurricane Florence devastated our area, the Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) was formed by New Hanover County in partnership with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. English shares, “We work together to address business concerns following disasters as well as match needs in the community with businesses that can meet those needs.” To find out more about the BEOC call them at 910-762-2611 or send an email to businesseoc@wilmingtonchamber. org.
BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANS
Typically, larger businesses have Business Continuity Plans or Disaster Recovery Plans in place. This level of forethought does not have to be exclusive to large business though. These plans provide a clear outline of steps any business needs to take to prepare for, and respond to, a disaster. Resources for developing a plan for your business are readily available and some
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are offered at no cost. When discussing how businesses can find resources for plan development, English encourages business owners to utilize the US Chamber Foundation’s Resilience in a Box program to support disaster preparations. More information on this program can be found at www.UsChamberFoundation.org/ResilienceBox. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security provides plan resources at www.Ready.Gov/Business-ContinuityPlan. She also mentions that the Resilience in a Box toolkit includes a 5-minute business readiness quiz that help businesses start thinking about how they can become more prepared to overcome a natural disaster. New Hanover County Emergency Management provides offerings for business owners seeking to develop a plan as well. Their team, as well as the New Hanover Disaster Coalition, are available to help advise business owners on the proper ways to develop their plans. Supporting the development of disaster plans for all business owners is but one of many ways our local emergency management team serves our community. To find out more about this offering and other resources that are provided, visit www.ReadyNHC.com.
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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
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SMALL BUSINESS CHECKLIST For some business owners creating a disaster plan can be overwhelming but with the copious resources available from government and non-profit organizations ─ creating a plan is simple. Find online resources to develop your plan today by visiting New Hanover County Government,
N.C. Department of Commerce, Federal Emergency Management Administration, Small Business and Technology Development Center, and the Carolina Small Business Development Fund. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
RESOURCES: www.ready.gov/business www.ready.gov/business-continuity-plan www.uschamberfoundation.org/Resilience-Box www.readynhc.com
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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
SMALL BUSINESS CHECKLIST
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
CREATE BOTH RECOVERY AND EMERGENCY PLANS Focusing on the development of an immediate-need emergency plan is vital but businesses also need to create plans that detail next steps for after the event. Think about how your business will get up and running after a disaster and make sure to clearly communicate the plan to employees.
SAFEGUARD BUSINESS RECORDS AND FILES Consider making it a habit to regularly back-up important electronic files, such as billing and payroll records, supplier lists, and customer databases. Make sure to make paper copies of vital documents and store them in a secure, safe place off-site.
MAINTAIN INVENTORY OF ASSETS AND EQUIPMENT Document these important parts of your business in writing and with photographs. This information will need to be regularly updated and electronically backed-up in order to implement your recovery plan.
STORE MINIMAL INVENTORY ON SITE Each business will have a different need in this situation but the common suggestion is to store only three to five days worth of inventory on site. If this is set in place and the worst-case scenario does occur, only a small amount of inventory will perish.
COMMUNICATE CLEARLY WITH EMPLOYEES Establish which employees will be able to report to work after a disaster. Help your staff understand your business emergency plan and provide them resources to establish their own personal emergency plan. Providing guidance and time for your employees to develop their own family disaster plans ensure we all stay safe.
IDENTIFY EQUIPMENT VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE Take into consideration the location of large equipment that could become damaged. Is it near a window where high wind could break glass and create damage? Do you have things located near pipes or a hot water tank which could possible burst and create a water leak on or near the equipment? Take measures to move or raise equipment as needed in order to minimize damage.
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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
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The Mission of the LCFWASA is to provide and assist in providing water and related services that enhance the quality of life in the region. Originally, created as the Wilmington-New Hanover County Water and Sewer Authority in 1970, we took our current name in 1971. In 1984, the Kings Bluff Pump Station is placed into service and expanded in 2008. A 60-inch parallel intake was installed in 2011. Currently a parallel 54-inch transmission line is being installed next to the existing 48-inch and will increase capacity from 45 to 62 million gallons a day without any equipment upgrades. Brunswick County Utilities and Cape Fear Public Utilities are constructing this line which will become part of the LCFWASA system upon completion.
17 YEARS IN BUSINESS IN THE CAPE FEAR REGION
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