June 14, 2019
CloudMake sure that you have a plan for an emergency and that your employees are aware of it. Is there a backup location you’ll work in if your office is damaged, or will you have them work remote until things settle down? Do you know who to call if your roof is blown off and all your equipment is damaged? Before emergency hits you should take the time to outline all the businesses and people you may need to contact in order to get your business back up and running.
Backups are important on a normal basis, but natural disasters make them critical. If a tree goes through your roof and all the computers or files you have get damaged, you won't be able to get them back if you didn’t backup of store copies in a safe place. Documents should be backed up to the cloud and documents on site should be sealed in waterproof containers. This way if your business has to work remote for a while, they will still be able to access their files on the cloud if they have internet.
Make sure your building has shutters installed if possible, pull important equipment away from windows and secure furniture. Try to secure electronics in an elevated location furthest away from any windows. And remember to turn off all utilities before the hurricane hits. Taking these actions may not guarantee your office will be damage free, but it will maximize your chances of keeping your equipment safe.
Post hurricane it can sometimes be difficult to get back up and running. Your office may have lost power or incurred some damage. Instead of being down until your office can be used, your company could work remotely. Being down for a prolonged period is every business owner's nightmare, it can have some nasty impacts. But if you know that in the case of an emergency where the office is uninhabitable your employees will work remotely or at an alternate location it can make things less stressful. It will also help you get back up and running at some capacity, so you can get back to your customers.
Know how you are going to get in contact with your employees and other important business contacts in the case of emergency. Make sure you contact any vendors or insurance companies to let them know you’ll soon be in an emergency so that you can be ahead of your disaster recovery. This can cut down on the time you will have to wait post hurricane to get your recovery help.
Have a checklist detailing all the things you need to do in the case of a hurricane. Make sure that you and your employees are aware of al the supplies they may need during a hurricane. Nonperishable food, plenty of water, blankets, coolers, first aid, batteries, and cash. Also make sure that you have the emergency contact information of the nearest hospital in case of an emergency. And be prepared for the un-expected.