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If you live in a coastal area, hurricanes pose a considerable threat to your business. Even though you may have insurance coverage, there are measures you can take to minimize damage and protect your employees. This guide will help you put together a preparedness plan to help you get through a hurricane or tropical storm.

 

Enhance Property Protection

 

The less property damage your business suffers, the less it will cost to restore your business. In some cases, this may mean the difference between reopening or closing the doors forever. You can use shutters or install roll-down doors to help protect windows and doors from being blown apart by strong winds. Your business’s exterior can be further protected by laying sandbags around high flood areas and trimming tree branches that are too close to the structure. You can fasten office furniture, including filing cabinets and desks, to wall studs, but you will have to move electronics, heaters, and other sensitive equipment to higher locations. Utilities should be disconnected or turned off as the storm approaches. 

 

Duplicate Important Documents

 

You should print copies of important tax documents, business contracts, and other paperwork that’s essential to the operation of your business. The hard copies should be stored in a secure location offsite where they won’t be affected by hurricane damage. When storing these items, place them in a water-resistant safe or lockbox to provide extra protection. You should also store contact information for vendors, employees, insurance agents, and other important business contacts along with those documents. 

 

Prepare for an Extended Lockdown

 

You and your employees may spend several days trapped in the business facility, so it’s best to prepare ahead of time for that situation. You should have enough non-perishable food and bottled water for each of your employees for a period of three to four days. You should also store a first aid kit, CPR and first aid manual, batteries, flashlights, and two-way radios on site. Other items that may come in handy include tarps, duct tape, flares, and a gas generator with fuel.

 

Surviving a hurricane requires a little more preparation for a business because there are more assets to protect. Additionally, you’ll be responsible for the safety of more people than just your family members. However, you can get through a strong hurricane and suffer fewer damages when you minimize the hazards that a tropical storm poses.