businesses should have access to information for lawyers, clients and other important people to the company. “Doing a simulation, even a table-top simulation, is a good idea in this type of situation,” Moyer says. “This will allow everyone to see exactly what could happen so they can plan accordingly how to react and how best to serve customers.” While there is no guaranteed way to totally protect your business during a hurricane, there are steps that can be taken to soften the blow and keep the damage to a minimum. The National Hurricane Initiative recommends that businesses anchor large pieces of furniture or shelving. Secure these to wall studs with braces where possible. Keep the water heater and gas tanks on risers to protect them from flooding. Keeping these measures in place year-round is also a good idea so that precautions will be taken as the storm approaches. Travelers recommends business owners carry business insurance at all times to protect them during hurricane season. If you are unsure about what your insurance covers, speak with your insurance representative to make sure you’re wellprotected. Maintain a complete inventory of your business. Use photos or video so you have a clear record. This helps if you need to replace critical items or rebuild your location. Document the business both inside and out. Businesses also need to take care as to how they operate following a storm. “Before taking a job post-storm, businesses should consider whether or not they have enough qualified staff to handle the work, the necessary materials to complete the job and adequate insurance coverage for the situation,” said Rick Keegan, president of Construction at Travelers. “Weighing the risks and putting safety first are important to protecting business’s livelihood and employees.” “It is so imperative to plan ahead,” Moyer said. “Businesses need to keep doing business during the storm and after. Owners need time to get their core infrastructure back up and running, and there is no way to tell how long that will take. You want the least amount of customer disruption as possible. Really, a good rule of thumb is to plan to be able to run remotely from one to six weeks to start with.” n
46 / Biz New Orleans / august 2018
take action
steps to Protect property
1
Invest in and install shutters or plywood in order to protect windows and doors from windborne debris. Have the roof of your building evaluated to ensure it can withstand a storm. Remove any branches or trees adjacent to your building that could potentially fall and damage it. Sandbag any area that is subject to flooding. Anchor and brace any large furniture (bookcases, shelves, filing cabinets) to wall studs. Relocate any valuable or fragile possessions.
Secure all utilities including water heaters, gas tanks and heaters and if necessary, raise them to higher locations to avoid water damages.
accountants, suppliers, etc.
Secure electronics such as computers and other office equipment with straps or velcro.
Back up computer files that contain documents not easily produced, such as insurance documents, legal contracts, tax returns and accounting statements, to avoid water damage.
Turn off all the utilities prior to a hurricane making landfall if possible.
Seal paper versions of these documents in waterproof containers onsite.
2
Save all your designated contacts and documents in an alternate, accessible off-site location.
Protect important documents and information. Designate important contacts to save that are crucial to business operations, such as employees, banks, lawyers,
3
Keep A preparedness checklist.
The below items should be gathered in one location at your place of business. This will help protect the safety of your employees should disaster strike during regular working hours and without ample notice.
towels and garbage cans
Battery operated radio or television
Emergency contact information such as the nearest hospital and police, along with:
First-aid kit and firstaid manual Flashlights, batteries, light-sticks Toolkit (basic tools, gloves, etc.) Camera and film for documenting damages Whistle/signal flare to signal for help Tarps, plastic bags, duct tape Cleaning supplies, including mops,
Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers Electric generator Gas for vehicles, generators and other equipment Cash, ATM cards, credit cards proper identification
Life safety issues: 9-1-1 Small Business Administration (SBA): 1-800-3592227 FEMA teleregistration hotline: 1-800-462-9029 Insurance company and agent’s contact information