Topics:
August 29, 2023 Last Edit: March 20, 2026
The storm is expected to become a major hurricane before making landfall Wednesday
Preparing for Idalia
- 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? Make 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
May 6, 2026
Bill to Eliminate Credit Card Swipe Fees on Sales Tax Heads to Governor’s Desk
Colorado’s small business community thanks the General Assembly for advancing swipe fee reform.
Read More
Related
May 6, 2026
NFIB Commends Senate for Considering Crucial Small Business Bills
The measure would ease the financial and regulatory burdens on Main Street employers.
Read More
Related
May 6, 2026
NFIB Celebrates the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction Being Made Permanent, Supports Increasing it to 23%
Making the Small Business Tax Deduction permanent was a huge win for small businesses and provides tax certainty. Now, NFIB is pushing to expand the tax deduct…
Read More
Related
May 5, 2026
Give Small Businesses Relief by Suspending the Federal Fuel Tax
An opinion article discusses how energy costs impact small businesses and how Congress can provide relief by suspending the federal fuel tax.
Read More