Hurricane Irma passes Cuba and approaches southern Florida on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in a NASA satellite captured a night-time image of the storm in the Florida Straits and identified where the strongest storms were occurring within Irma’s structure. NOAA’s GOES-East satellite provided a visible image at the time of Irma’s landfall in the Florida Keys. NASA photo
If you live in Florida or along the Gulf or Atlantic coast line in general, you probably already have a hurricane preparedness checklist and emergency plan for you and your family. But what about your business or workplace? Do you have a Business Disaster & Recovery plan? This is often overlooked with little to no preparations if your business suffers from a disaster. According to the National Hurricane Survival Initiative, 40% of small businesses that close due to hurricane damage are unable to reopen.
Last year was one for the record books with 18 depressions and 17 named storms, 6 of them major hurricanes. Many communities effected by last year’s hurricanes are still trying to recover and the possibility of a repeat of the 2017 season has many thinking about what preparations need to be made starting now.
Whether you are updating your current plan or creating a new one, preparing your business or workplace for a hurricane or other natural disaster is the most important strategic decisions you will ever make. Here are some planning toolkit links that may be helpful.