Free Resources to Help Small Businesses Survive Severe Weather Events

“No matter where in America they are located, small businesses face a significant risk from severe weather events. The good news is with some basic, thoughtful planning, these risks can be managed, reduced, and often prevented from becoming true disasters,” said Gail Moraton, IBHS business resiliency program manager. She went on to note that while sources may vary, “the government estimates that 40 percent of small businesses never reopen after a weather-related disaster. Lowering that percentage by helping small businesses stay open is good for business owners, their communities, and our national economy.”

IBHS urges small business owners to use its two free, non-technical digital tools. OFB-EZ®, a business continuity tool, can help even the most minor business focus on long-term planning for any business interruption. In contrast, EZ-PREP®, a severe weather emergency preparedness and response planning toolkit, helps small businesses develop short-term plans for imminent operational disruptions.

“One of the most useful features of EZ-PREP is that actions are organized chronologically. Suppose a business has adequate warning of an extreme weather event such as a hurricane or a severe storm front expected to hit their area. In that case, this tool walks them through what should be done five days before, 72 hours before, 24–48 hours before, during and immediately after the event, and during the recovery process,” explained Moraton.

Creating simple, straightforward plans using the complementary OFB-EZ and EZ-PREP toolkits enables small businesses to maximize time and focus energy during emergencies. Having a business continuity plan in place and an emergency preparedness and response plan arms small businesses with the tools for rapid response to emergency situations and effective recovery.

“Small businesses are the heart of our communities. After a severe weather event, we often gather at the first open places to get goods or coffee, share stories, and check in on friends and neighbors,” Moraton said. Remaining ‘open for business’ is a demonstration of true resilience and helps the broader community recover.”

Source: IIBHS