With an active past couple of years in terms of storms, hurricane preparedness is top of mind for many businesses, small and large, in affected areas.
Insurance Business America spoke to senior regional technical and expertise manager at financial services provider Allianz, Andrew Higgins, who offered some advice for businesses during this year’s storm season.
- Prepare for the correct emergency: “Most people when they’re preparing for hurricanes will prepare primarily for wind, but Hurricane Sandy was a good example when everybody was preparing for a wind event, and we really had a storm surge event,” says Higgins. Understanding the location of the site, the weather event, and the potential effects of the storm and its elements on your business is crucial.
- Have a plan in place: Remember to test the emergency plan regularly, and get that buy-in from senior management, says Higgins.
- Expect the worst: During Hurricane Sandy, Higgins says that many businesses prepared for wind and instead received a storm surge events — and the ones that were least affected in terms of continuity were the businesses that had planned ahead in terms of suppliers, alternate plants and production diversification.
- Do improvements, not repairs: Purchase emergency generators, raise critical equipment above flood levels, and bolster building structures, gutters and roof coverings.
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