Steps You Can Take Now to Prepare for Disaster Later

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2021 was the third most active year on record in terms of named storms. It also marked the sixth consecutive above-normal hurricane season. It was the first time in history that two consecutive hurricane seasons exhausted the list of 21 storm names.

We are now in the timeframe where hurricane season typically starts becoming more active. Based on the trends of recent years, and the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters in general, it’s important to take the time to prepare your home or business now before disaster strikes. Here are five ways you can get ready:

• Develop an emergency plan - When you plan ahead for disasters like flooding, fire, and severe weather, you can drastically decrease their impact on your home or business. As part of this plan, find a safe, dry place to store important documents and make sure they are easily accessible in a hurry. Have a supply kit on hand that includes the essentials like first aid supplies, water, batteries, flashlights and food. Finally, be sure to have a predetermined location should either shelter or evacuation be necessary.

• Review your insurance – Are you aware of your insurance policy, its limits, and what is or is not covered? Reviewing your insurance coverage now will give you plenty of time to consider your options and make any additions that could be necessary while living or operating a business in a disaster-prone area.

• Storm-proof your property – Regular inspection of your home or business will help you identify any damages or problem areas should a storm hit. By locating and addressing these issues early, you can ensure that they are fully repaired and structurally sound before a natural disaster.

• Create a business continuity plan – Natural disasters can cause lasting interruptions to resources like telecommunications, the water and power supply, access to roadways and more. How will your business adapt to these potentially long-term challenges? Having a specific plan for how your business will respond is key to continuing “business as usual” even during the aftermath of an extreme weather event.

• Know what to do immediately after an event – While the business continuity plan focuses on your ability to sustain “business as usual” after disaster strikes, it’s just as important to know what your business will do immediately following a storm in order to execute the plan. This includes details such as how employees are notified, where staff is relocated to, how equipment will be procured, where phone calls will temporarily be routed to and more. This type of plan can also be made personally for your home and family members.

We are Pre-Loss Planning Professionals

If you find yourself concerned with life’s many “what if” scenarios, planning ahead can be a helpful way to ease your mind. By knowing that you are fully prepared for whatever curveballs may be thrown your way, you are able to move forward with the confidence that, should disaster strike, your home or business has the ability to rebound quickly. That peace of mind is precisely what we provide at Guarantee Restoration Services with thorough pre-loss planning services that cover everything from cloud-based documentation of your pre-loss building and contents to a detailed action plan.