Here are some of the most important facets of a business that can be impacted by natural disasters, including tips for preparation.

1. NATURAL DISASTERS CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR
BUSINESSES. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACETS
OF A BUSINESS THAT CAN BE IMPACTED, FOLLOWED BY TIPS FOR
PREPARING FOR NATURAL DISASTERS.
HOW
NATURAL
DISASTERS
IMPACT
BUSINESSES
precisionsoftware.com
HOW TO PREPARE A BUSINESS
FOR A NATURAL DISASTER
• Have a plan in place.
• Designate alternative locations or create a plan to allow employees
to work remotely during recovery efforts.
• Always have backups of essential data and documents stored in
a secure location.
• Establish a phone tree to make checking in on employees easier.
• Make sure locations and facilities are equipped with emergency supplies
and that emergency routes and exits are adequately marked.
• Keep an updated list of all assets for insurance claims.
• Test your backups regularly and include emergency procedures in
all employee development efforts.
PERSONNEL
Concern should be first and
foremost centered on people.
Businesses must ensure that their
employees are all safe and able to
return to work as soon as possible.
CLIENTS AND
CUSTOMERS
It might be necessary to reach out
to customers to let them know they
can expect delays or disruptions in
service or in their supply chains.
ASSETS
Physical assets can be damaged
or destroyed during a natural
disaster, causing losses and
disruptions to service.
FACILITIES
Depending on the severity of the
disaster, a business’s facilities may
be damaged, incapacitated or even
destroyed. Any loss of utilities can
have serious consequences, as well.
RECORDS
Cleaning up after a natural
disaster will require businesses
to refer to important records
and documentation, such as
deeds, insurance policies and
banking records — all of which
could be damaged or lost in a
catastrophic event.
COMMUNICATIONS
Lines of communication that are
taken for granted may be severed or
otherwise compromised. This may
make it more difficult to coordinate
recovery efforts or communicate
with suppliers and customers.
SUPPLY CHAINS
When roads and other means
of transportation are damaged
or impassable, businesses
have to scramble to make
alternative arrangements.