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 Risk Assured, 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.

Photo by Brian McGowan on Unsplash

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 Risk Assured, 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.

FAQ: Emergency Preparedness for Businesses

1) What is emergency preparedness for businesses?

Emergency preparedness is the process of creating plans, procedures, and resources to help a business respond effectively to disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires, or cyberattacks—ensuring safety and operational continuity.

2) Why is emergency preparedness important for business continuity?

Preparedness reduces downtime, minimizes financial loss, and protects employees and assets. Companies with strong emergency plans recover faster and maintain customer confidence during and after a disaster.

3) What types of emergencies should businesses plan for?

Businesses should prepare for both natural and man-made disasters, including hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, power outages, cybersecurity breaches, and supply chain disruptions.

4) What are the key components of a business emergency preparedness plan?

Core components include risk assessments, emergency communication plans, evacuation procedures, business continuity strategies, data protection protocols, and employee training.

5) Who should be responsible for emergency preparedness in a business?

A designated emergency response team—typically including operations, HR, safety officers, and executives—should oversee planning, drills, and communication during crises.

6) How can businesses protect their data and technology during disasters?

Implement cloud backups, offsite storage, cybersecurity measures, and redundant systems to protect critical data and maintain operational integrity during disruptions.

7) How often should an emergency preparedness plan be reviewed or updated?

Plans should be reviewed annually and updated after any major organizational, technological, or environmental change—or following a real-world incident.

8) What role does employee training play in emergency preparedness?

Training ensures employees know how to respond quickly and safely during an emergency. Regular drills, tabletop exercises, and clear communication protocols improve reaction time and confidence.

9) How does emergency preparedness affect insurance coverage?

Insurers often reward well-prepared businesses with better policy terms, reduced premiums, or faster claims processing because preparedness lowers overall risk exposure.

10) How does Risk Assured help businesses strengthen their emergency preparedness?

Risk Assured provides engineering-based risk assessments, continuity planning, and custom emergency preparedness programs to help companies reduce vulnerability and recover faster from disasters.