Is Your Small Business Ready for a Natural Disaster? (Part 1)

11/12/2019 (Permalink)

Protect your small business by having a plan to survive and thrive after a natural disaster, such as a flood, fire, earthquake or storm.

All the hard work you’ve put into building your business could be at risk if a natural disaster—flood, windstorm, fire or blizzard—damages your property, endangers your employees and forces your business to close for days or weeks.

Making a plan for your small business to survive a disaster will take time, thought and effort—but it will be well worth it. Start your emergency response planning by evaluating the potential for commercial damage.

1. Evaluate the Risks

Which natural disasters are most likely to hit your area: tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods? What’s the greatest risk? Identify the most imminent weather threat and start planning for that, then work your way down the list.

2. Do Your Research

Visit reputable sources such as Ready.gov, FEMA and the American Red Cross. For example, the Red Cross’s Ready Rating program offers free online disaster preparedness planning. (Also good to know: your local Red Cross chapter may provide free CPR and first-aid training for small businesses.)

3. Consider the Potential Damage

Start with a business impact analysis (BIA) to help you develop plans for emergency response, crisis communications and business continuity. Taking into account your existing customer communication, inventory management and record-keeping practices, you’ll explore the potential effect a disaster could have on your business, such as increased expenses from repairs or lost or delayed sales and income.

Read More: Developing the Disaster Recovery Plan

Once you have finished this research and analysis process, you are prepared to develop a specific set of plans to put into place if a natural disaster hits your business. Read Part 2 of this series for tips on creating and implementing these essential plans that cover these areas:

• Emergency response
• Communications
• Data management
• Business continuity

For commercial cleaning and disaster restoration needs, call SERVPRO® of West Hartford today at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

In addition to offering commercial cleaning services, the team at SERVPRO of West Hartford has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of West Hartford (860-216-2785) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with water, sewage, storm, mold, fire and other damage.

SERVPRO of West Hartford
716 Oakwood Ave, West Hartford, 06110
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Call 860-216-2785
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For commercial cleaning and disaster restoration needs, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860-216-2785