The 1st 5 steps homeowners and business owners should take after a hurricane damages their property.

Getting your business back on its feet after a hurricane strikes can be a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating experience. If there’s an upside, it’s this: Although you cannot control a hurricane, you can control your recovery activities after the storm passes.

When a hurricane or major storm hits, it can be devastating, leaving significant damage in its wake. If your home has sustained damage, you and your family can take steps to ensure safety precautions are met and repairs can be made as efficiently as possible.

The Impact of Hurricanes on Businesses

• Property damage. Any facilities in the storm’s path will likely suffer severe damage that can be particularly devastating for small businesses.
• Cleanup costs after hurricanes are debilitating for any enterprise, requiring a temporary ceasing of operations.
• Loss of clientele can lead to a drop in revenue and an overall loss of confidence in the business. Businesses that rely on residents for income are likely to see a decline in sales or business activity.
• Reputation losses can be even more severe than the financial hit, as it often takes years to recover from a disaster. In addition, customers will likely be hesitant to do business with a company that has suffered such a loss.
• Supply chains will be disrupted, which could lead to a lack of supplies and labor. Just one damaged factory can be enough to paralyze dozens of others.
• Power outages in the aftermath of a storm can last for days and make it difficult for employees to get to work or maintain productivity during recovery efforts. Loss of business records is also a possible outcome.