Business & Tech
Hurricane Ian: How To Help Your Business Weather The Storm
No-cost resources are available to help business owners prepare, recover and reopen.
FLORIDA — Roughly 40 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors following a disaster. But it doesn't have to be that way.
The Florida Small Business Development Center is urging businesses to prepare for Hurricane Ian by reviewing Business Continuity Plans to ensure the safety of employees and property.
During a disaster, safety is the main concern. Businesses should confirm that all employees are aware of their hurricane preparedness plan and their individual responsibilities. It is also important that businesses monitor relevant emergency management news for weather and safety updates.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Businesses are advised to document their property. Photographs and inventory lists should be compiled prior to the storm. If necessary, these can be used as insurance evidence for damage assessments after the storm.
When an evacuation is ordered, businesses owners should secure their businesses and follow instructions by emergency management on evacuation orders. If emergency management officials order an evacuation and a business owner decides to remain in the business, emergency responders will not be able to respond during the disaster.
Find out what's happening in Tampafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Business owners can protect their businesses from the disaster they never expected with a bit of help from the Small Business Development Center.
Business owners that are unprepared for a power outage, hacker disruption, fire, theft, storm or other disasters could put their businesses and employees at risk.
Stay up-to-date by viewing all Hurricane Ian coverage on Patch here.
Small business owners can take advantage of no-cost expert consultation from the Florida SBDC on how to minimize losses and increase business survivability when affected by natural and man-made disasters.
Key topics every business owner should brush up on are:
- Essentials for business preparedness, including types of insurance
- Initial steps of your business continuity plan
- Cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure
- Tools to plan for natural and man-made disasters of all types
- Resources available to help your business recover and reopen
For help, contact the Florida SBDC.
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