Before a Weather Emergency Closes Your Business,
Make a Plan
As a business owner, being prepared doesn’t just mean managing your books or filing taxes on time. True preparation means being ready for anything — especially the unexpected. Whether it’s a hurricane, flood, or wildfire, disasters can strike without warning and devastate unprepared businesses.
According to FEMA, 25% of businesses never reopen after a major disaster. Those that do often face years of financial struggle. The good news? You can beat those odds with a strong, well-designed emergency preparedness plan. Let’s break it down step by step.
Why Emergency Planning Matters
When disaster hits, your goal isn’t just survival — it’s recovery. A solid plan helps you protect your people, minimize losses, and restore operations as quickly as possible.
Without a plan, you risk:
- Extended downtime and lost revenue
- Confusion among employees during emergencies
- Gaps in communication and data loss
- Insurance delays or uncovered damages
It’s not about if something happens, but how you respond when it does.
Step 1: Build Your Planning Team
Emergency planning starts with assigning responsibility. Don’t try to handle it alone — bring in key team members, your attorney, and your insurance professional to cover legal and financial considerations.
Your planning team should:
- Identify potential threats to your operations
- Set clear emergency goals
- Assign roles for employees during crises
- Coordinate with local emergency responders
Your top priorities should always be employee safety, asset protection, and operational continuity.
Step 2: Assess Risks and Write the Plan
Next, identify the specific risks your business faces. Depending on your location and industry, you might need to prepare for:
- Floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes
- Power outages and cyberattacks
- Fires or hazardous material incidents
Your plan should include:
- Employee roles and communication procedures
- Evacuation routes and safety protocols
- Data backup and IT recovery systems
- Business continuity and payroll procedures
Keep it thorough but practical — something your team can understand and follow easily.
Step 3: Train, Test, and Review
A plan is only effective if everyone knows it. Once created, it’s time to put it into action.
- Train employees on their responsibilities
- Make emergency equipment easily accessible
- Review insurance coverage annually to ensure adequate protection
- Conduct regular drills to test evacuation routes and response speed
Your emergency plan is a living document. Review it every year or after major business changes. Update contact lists, floor plans, and procedures as needed.
Example Scenario
Imagine a small accounting firm hit by a severe storm that floods its office.
Without a plan, operations stop for weeks, client files are lost, and insurance delays pile up.
Now imagine the same firm with a solid preparedness plan:
- Data is backed up off-site
- Employees know how to work remotely
- Insurance documents and contact lists are accessible online
Within days, the firm resumes service — protecting both its reputation and revenue.
The Financial Benefits of Preparedness
Emergency planning isn’t just about survival — it can actually save money. Many insurers offer discounts to businesses that demonstrate proactive risk management.
More importantly, a well-prepared business gains:
- Faster recovery times
- Lower long-term costs
- Increased employee confidence
- Peace of mind knowing you’re ready for anything
Conclusion
When it comes to protecting your business, preparation pays off. Don’t wait for an emergency to find out what’s missing.
For help developing a customized business continuity and financial resilience plan, contact the experts at Guerrero CPA today.
📞 Call 210-490-7100 to get started — that’s 210-490-7100.
Our team can help you safeguard your operations, minimize risk, and ensure your business is ready to weather any storm.