The arrival of Hurricane Erin is a good reminder that the Atlantic hurricane season is entering its historical peak.

Hurricane season stretches from June 1 to Nov. 30, but activity has historically spiked from mid-August through mid-October.

Most hurricane-related damage tends to occur along the coast, but last year’s storms were a strong reminder that powerful winds and severe flooding can devastate businesses, destroy homes and disrupt lives hundreds of miles inland.

Even properties located far from coastal areas can experience serious structural damage from overflowing drainage systems, heavy rainfall, and rising water levels that spread quickly through homes and commercial buildings.

Once water enters a property, immediate cleanup and drying are critical to limiting mold growth, protecting structural materials, and preventing long-term damage that can continue long after the storm itself has ended.

Alongside emergency response planning, proactive flood prevention measures and routine property maintenance remain essential parts of reducing the overall impact of hurricane season on homes, businesses, and surrounding communities.

Recovery efforts following severe flooding often extend well beyond the initial removal of standing water, especially when moisture becomes trapped behind walls, beneath flooring, or inside ventilation systems where hidden deterioration can continue developing over time. Damaged insulation, weakened structural materials, lingering contamination, and persistent humidity can create additional safety concerns if restoration work is delayed or incomplete after a major storm event. Effective restoration plans typically involve careful inspection of affected areas, removal of compromised materials, deep sanitation procedures, and controlled drying processes intended to restore healthier indoor conditions while reducing the risk of future structural complications.

Continued maintenance and periodic inspections also remain important after repairs are completed, helping property owners identify lingering moisture issues before they escalate into more extensive damage.

While there’s time, review your business’s disaster plan to ensure it’s up to date. If your small business doesn’t have a disaster plan, now’s the time to create one:

• Understand the risks. Is your business located in a flood zone? Are tornadoes, hailstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires potential threats? Identify the most likely hazards in your area and take steps to reduce your vulnerability.
• Ensure adequate insurance coverage. You’ll need enough insurance to rebuild your business if necessary. Review your policies to understand what is — and isn’t — covered. Consider business interruption insurance, which helps cover operating costs during a shutdown. Flood insurance is also strongly recommended, as most standard policies don’t cover flood damage.
• Document your assets. Take photos and videos of your building, equipment, inventory, and other important assets. Store copies online or in waterproof, fireproof containers kept in a secure off-site location, such as a relative’s or colleague’s home in another state.

• Have a business continuity plan. Identify critical operations and resources needed to stay open or resume work quickly after a disaster.

• Have an emergency response plan. Identify evacuation routes, establish meeting locations, and keep emergency phone numbers accessible to employees and family members.
• Create a communications plan. Designate a point person to relay updates to employees, customers, and vendors. Because local phone and internet service may be down after a disaster, identify an out-of-state contact to serve as a central hub for communication.
• Back up business records. Make copies of critical documents such as tax records, contracts, and employee information. Store paper copies in a fireproof safe and back up digital records to a secure cloud platform.
• Build a disaster kit. Stock it with a flashlight, portable radio, batteries, first-aid supplies, non-perishable food, bottled water, a basic tool kit, plastic sheeting, and garbage bags. Keep it in an accessible location. Encourage your employees to assemble similar kits for their homes.