Hurricanes are one of the most damaging natural disasters in existence. If you own a retail establishment in a location vulnerable to hurricanes, you need to be prepared for the possibility of a destructive storm. To make sure you are ready in the event of a hurricane, incorporate the following tips into your hurricane business plan.
Watch weather forecasts.
Keeping track of the weather is the best way to make sure you will be aware of any potential hurricane activity. Be sure to check weather forecasts frequently so you can start preparing as soon as a storm develops.
Develop detailed employee contact lists.
When a hurricane is coming, you will need to be able to contact all of your employees and provide them with instructions. Be sure that you have a detailed list of all of your employees and that this list is updated frequently.
Check your fire protection equipment.
During and after a hurricane, fires are more common. Having intact and functional fire equipment is essential in this situation. If you are aware of an imminent hurricane, make sure your fire equipment is in working order.
Protect important records.
Certain records your business maintains need to be protected at all times. If you have electronic records, protecting them may not be difficult. However, if you have any paper records, you will need to move them to a safe area and/or make duplicates before the hurricane hits.
Fill fuel tanks.
If you have fire pumps, vehicles and/or emergency generators, fill the fuel tanks.
Prepare for excess water.
Hurricanes usually come with significant amounts of rain that can lead to flooding. Before the storm arrives, make sure your sump pumps are in working order. You should also clean catch basins and floor drains to expedite water removal.
Secure doors and windows.
Hurricane winds have the power to damage your buildings significantly. However, if you take certain precautions, you may be able to minimize the damage. Be sure to board up your windows and secure your doors to protect your building as much as possible.
Shut down equipment.
To reduce the risk of fires and other calamities, turn off the electricity to all non-essential equipment and shut down all production processes. If you have pipes that carry flammable liquids or gas, shut down these pipes before the storm.
Evacuate.
When creating your hurricane business plan, don’t forget to consider hurricane preparedness for employees. Evacuate your employees well before the storm to give them plenty of time to get to a secure location.
Make sure you are insured.
Even with the best preparations, hurricanes can still damage your property and result in other significant losses. To make sure your business is able to survive the storm and its aftermath, you need the right insurance coverage. Marine Agency can provide you with the comprehensive hurricane coverage you need to rest easy at an affordable price.
Key Takeaways
- Hurricanes are one of nature’s most destructive storms.
- To prepare your retail business for a possible hurricane, you need to take several steps. These steps involve securing the building, reducing the risk of fire and making sure employees are safe.
- Hurricane insurance can provide you with compensation in the event of losses related to one of these destructive storms.
If you are interested in hurricane and/or flood insurance, you need to contact an experienced, reliable insurance agency. Hurricane and flood insurance cost and coverage varies. Marine Agency is happy to give you a no-obligation hurricane or flood insurance quote so you can make the best decisions for your needs. Please contact us today to get started.