The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to run from June 1st to November 30th. Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University predicted that the East Coast of the United States is likely to see a major hurricane, ranking at a category 3, 4, or 5, during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. High category named storms bring on damages like, floods, wind damage, and power failure which may take several weeks to recover from. Though these predictions are not precise, we believe, that informed preparation is the best way to avoid costly claims, not unlike those caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
A comprehensive and practiced disaster recovery plan is fundamental to the resilience of any business regardless of the size. Here are a few steps a business owner can take to ensure their business and all its assets stay safe during the 2020 hurricane season.
- Protect your Property – Have your building and, especially, the roof, inspected for weaknesses that may lead to damage during a named storm. Secure heavy machinery, utilities, and furniture to the floor and walls. Relocate and secure important electronics.
- Protect your Documents – Back up all important documents and store the back-ups off site. Seal paper documents in a waterproof container.
- Have a Checklist for Emergency Preparedness – Staying organized will, ultimately, help with preparations, especially if you do not have a lot of time.
- Inform your Team – Make sure you have a protocol in place to reach your team should a disaster occur and they are all aware of the procedures.
Preparedness is only one of the ways to mitigate the financial and business interruption risks caused by a hurricane. Understanding your insurance coverage and ensuring there are no gaps in such coverages is important. Having an independent third party review your policies to confirm that all of the necessary limits, terms, and conditions are right for your organization is crucial. Whether you are a small business or a large organization, understanding your insurance coverage and planning for resilience after a named storm should be the first things on a CFO’s mind, going into the 2020 hurricane season.
If you need more information on any of the topics covered in this blog, or need help with any risk related issues please contact Albert Sica, Managing Principal, at 732.395.4251 or [email protected].
