Emergency Preparedness for Businesses: How to Plan for the Next Disaster

From hurricanes and wildfires to winter storms and pandemics, emergencies can strike any time—and for small businesses, the consequences can be devastating. According to FEMA, 40% to 60% of small businesses never reopen after a disaster. To avoid becoming part of that statistic, your organization needs a year-round emergency preparedness strategy.

At RiskAssured, we help businesses build resilience with proactive planning. In this guide, we walk through how to prepare for the next emergency—before, during, and after disaster strikes.

Step 1: Know Your Region’s Disaster Seasons

Understanding your seasonal risk profile is critical. Different regions face different threats at different times of year:

Winter

Snow and ice storms
Power outages
Peak flu and pandemic season (December–February)

Spring/Summer

Tornadoes (peaking in spring for Gulf Coast and early summer in Midwest)
Flooding and severe storms

Summer/Fall

Hurricane season (Atlantic: June 1 – Nov 30)
Wildfires
Extreme heat events

Step 2: Prepare Before, During, and After Emergencies

Before the Emergency

Create a comprehensive emergency plan: including disaster response, crisis communication, and business continuity plans.
Perform building inspections; repair weak points.
Remove debris from roofs and gutters.
Trim overhanging trees and remove combustible vegetation.
Stock up on emergency supplies: water, food, flashlights, radios, batteries, and first aid kits.

During the Emergency

Monitor weather alerts and emergency notifications.
Deploy your crisis communication plan to keep employees informed.
Prioritize employee safety and give them time to prepare their homes and families.
Shelter in place or evacuate if instructed.

After the Emergency

Wait for official all-clear before returning to your business.
Inspect your building for structural damage, electrical hazards, or flooding.
Communicate clearly with staff on when it’s safe to return.
Assess the effectiveness of your emergency plan and make updates.

Step 3: Respond to Real-Time Threats with a Smart Action Plan

When an alert goes out, time is of the essence. Follow these alert types and recommended responses:

Watch: Conditions are favorable for severe weather. Stay alert and review your emergency plan.
Warning: A serious event is imminent or occurring. Take immediate action.
Evacuation Orders: Follow local guidance. These may be mandatory or voluntary.

Preparing for Specific Emergencies:

Ahead of a Hurricane

Secure or remove outdoor furniture and signage
Board up windows or close shutters
Use sandbags in flood-prone areas
Relocate critical equipment and documents
Shut off utilities

Ahead of a Wildfire

Bring flammable items indoors
Close all doors and windows
Connect hoses and fill containers with water
Turn off natural gas
Move propane tanks away from structures

Step 4: Review and Improve Every Year

Disaster preparedness isn’t a one-time task—it’s an annual responsibility.

Review and test your emergency plans each season.
Conduct emergency drills and communication tests.
Update emergency supply kits and employee contact lists.
Review your property and business interruption insurance coverage with your broker to ensure adequate protection.

Be Ready for What’s Next with RiskAssured

You can’t control the weather—or prevent every emergency—but you can control how your business responds.

At RiskAssured, we help businesses of all sizes create and implement customized emergency preparedness strategies, so you can protect your people, property, and profits—no matter what disaster comes next.

Contact us today to assess your emergency readiness and build a plan tailored to your risk profile.