REBUILDING AFTER A NATURAL DISASTER
Natural disasters can strike without warning and potentially damage or destroy your business, forcing an unexpected closure. Without proper planning for financial losses and property destruction, it can be difficult for business owners to recover when disaster strikes.
Statistics show that businesses with a disaster restoration plan in place are significantly more likely to recover and reopen after a major loss event, whereas those without a pre-loss plan often find themselves unable to rebuild.
The disaster restoration experts at ServiceMaster Restore have compiled the following tips to help get you back in business as soon as possible should a natural disaster strike your facility.
Safety First
Prioritize the safety of your employees and customers. Ensure the damaged premises are safe and free from hazards before allowing anyone to enter. Do not enter the property if there is damage to the physical structure — floors and roofing may be unstable, and hazards may be exposed.
Notify Necessary Contacts
If your business operations are halted as a result of damage, you’ll need to quickly communicate with key contacts, including emergency services, utility companies, your insurance agent, employees, tenants, clients, suppliers, repair companies and others. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, it is critical to have access to a list of these important contacts, so everyone can be informed of the situation in a timely manner.
Retrieve Important Records
Retrieve key business documents such as financial records, insurance papers, receipts and warranties. As part of your disaster recovery plan, make sure to store offsite receipts and warranty information for equipment and high-value technology.
Secure Your Property
Take steps to secure your business property to prevent further damage or theft. This may include boarding up windows, repairing damaged roofs or installing temporary security measures.
Evaluate the Damage
Once your facility has been deemed safe to enter by the proper authorities, carefully assess damage to your business, equipment and infrastructure. Take photos and detailed notes for both insurance claims and recovery efforts, and to obtain estimates for repairs.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Notify your insurance provider promptly and start the claims process. Review your policy to understand what is covered and the steps required for filing a claim. Your insurance agent will play a key role in your recovery and will work with you to explain and answer questions.
IT and Data Recovery
Restore your IT infrastructure and data. Ensure that critical systems are operational and that data is securely recovered.
Inventory Assessment
Document inventory damage and losses for insurance and restocking purposes. Dispose of damaged inventory properly.
Financial Assessment
Evaluate your financial situation and create a budget for recovery expenses. Consider financial aid or loans for immediate costs. Find out what disaster relief assistance may be available from government resources.
Employee Support
Address the needs of your employees, including their safety, salaries and benefits.
Temporary Location
If your business location is severely damaged, explore temporary locations to maintain operations, even at a reduced scale, while restoration work is ongoing.
Utilities and Services
Arrange for essential utilities such as water, electricity, gas, internet and phone lines to be checked for damage and restored. Ensure all safety systems — such as fire alarms, sprinklers, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are functioning properly.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensure you meet all regulatory requirements and obtain necessary permits before reopening. This may include building inspections, health department approvals and compliance with local zoning regulations.
Reconnect with Suppliers and Vendors
Contact suppliers and vendors to discuss timelines for resuming deliveries and services. Ensure you have a plan for restocking inventory.
Communication
Maintain frequent communication with staff, clients and other stakeholders throughout the recovery process. As timelines may change, update your business listings on search engines and social media to indicate when you’ll be back to business as usual. Consider promotions or special offers to attract returning and new customers.
Emergency Preparedness
Learn from the disaster and update your emergency preparedness plan. Take steps to improve resilience against future disasters.
Community Involvement
Engage with your local community and consider participating in relief efforts or initiatives. Building goodwill can have long-term benefits.
Recovery after a natural disaster can be a gradual process. Seek support from government agencies, business associations and disaster recovery organizations to navigate the challenges. By taking these steps and focusing on safety and preparedness, you can increase the chances of successfully reopening your business after a disaster.
If the unexpected does happen, you can count on the experts at ServiceMaster Restore to guide and support you throughout the recovery process and help get your business back up and running again as quickly as possible.