Wed 3 Sep 2008
Gustav Reminds Businesses to Prepare for Disaster
Posted by Megan Dorn under Small Business, Tips for Startups
Hurricane Gustav gave Louisiana residents a bit of a scare over the holiday weekend. It was a haunting reminder of the devastation that Katrina brought just a few years ago. Though Gustav has now been downgraded to a tropical depression and was not as fierce as was expected, tropical storms Hanna, Ike and Josephine are currently picking up speed and making their way toward the Gulf Coast.
It’s weather like this that should prompt owners to take a look at their businesses and ask, “Is my business prepared for disaster?”
September is National Preparedness Month, and the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is urging all business owners to expect the unexpected. Whether you’re dealing with hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes or tornados, natural disasters can cost you thousands or even millions of dollars in damages.
Though it’s tough to anticipate when and where disaster will strike, preparing for the worst and having emergency procedures in place are the keys to helping your business survive with minimal disruption.
Late in 2007, the SBA, in partnership with Nationwide Insurance, released a Disaster Preparedness Guide that helps small business owners cover all of their bases in preparing for disaster. It really is a great resource, so I urge all of you to check it out and start the planning process as soon as possible.
