Topics:
September 9, 2024 Last Edit: March 20, 2026
Here are some actions you should take now to protect your small business
Preparing for Hurricane Francine
- Understand the risks. Is your business in a location where flooding is possible? Are tornadoes, hail storms, earthquakes, or other acts of nature potential hazards to your business? Be sure you are aware and protected as much as possible against the possible risks.
- Be sure you have adequate insurance. You need at least enough to rebuild your home and business. Review your policies to see what is — and isn’t — covered. Consider business interruption insurance, which helps cover operating costs during the post-disaster shutdown period. Get flood insurance.
- Take photographs and videos of your assets. Store them online if possible or in waterproof and fireproof containers kept in a safe place, such as a relative’s or friend’s home or business in another state.
- Have an emergency response plan. Determine your evacuation routes. Establish meeting places. Keep emergency phone numbers handy.
- Develop a communications plan. Designate someone to serve as a contact person for your employees, customers, and vendors. Phone and email in your area may be down following a natural disaster, so ask an out-of-state friend, colleague, or relative to serve as a post-disaster point of contact.
- Back up your business records. Make copies of your vital records and store them in a secure location, ideally in a second location. Back up electronic records to the cloud, and keep paper documents in a fireproof safety deposit box.
- Create a disaster kit. Put a flashlight, a portable radio, fresh batteries, fresh first-aid supplies, non-perishable food, bottled water, a basic tool kit, plastic sheeting, and garbage bags in a bag or box someplace handy, in case of emergency. Encourage your employees to prepare disaster kits for themselves and their families.
State:
Get to know NFIB
NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.
Related Articles
Related
April 23, 2026
NFIB Supports Legislation to Increase the Small Business Deduction to 23%
The Small Business Tax Cut Act would build on the success of Congress making the Small Business Deduction permanent
Read More
Related
April 23, 2026
New Tax Proposal Stalls in Illinois House
NFIB testified against the so-called millionaire’s tax in Illinois that would have disproportionately impacted small businesses
Read More
Related
April 22, 2026
READ: Arizona Small Businesses (Nervously) Await State Tax Conformity Deal Before Session Ends
“The Legislature has done its part. Governor Hobbs should finish the job, now, before one more small business owner has to guess about their future.”
Read More
Related
April 20, 2026
New NFIB Op-Ed in Washington Examiner: Small Businesses Need Relief from Rising Gas Prices
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 20, 2026) In a new op-ed published in the Washington Examiner, Louis Bertolotti, NFIB Principal of Federal Government Relations, urges …
Read More