Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses: Protecting Your Operations Before the Storm  

As the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaches, which is projected to have above-normal hurricane activity, businesses in Tallahassee-Leon County must prepare for potential storms before they strike. Hurricanes can cause widespread disruption, but a solid preparedness plan can help your business weather the storm and recover quickly.

Why Hurricane Preparedness Matters  

Natural disasters like hurricanes can lead to property damage, power outages, supply chain interruptions, and extended closures—all of which can impact your bottom line. Taking proactive steps can minimize downtime and safeguard your employees, customers, and assets.  

Steps to Prepare Your Business

1. Create a Business Continuity Plan: Develop a strategy that outlines how your business will continue operating during and after a hurricane. This strategy should include identifying essential operations, delegating responsibilities, and determining communication procedures. Visit https://www.ready.gov/business/emergency-plans to get started. 
2. Back Up Important Data: Ensure critical business data is backed up securely off-site or online to protect your information in case of physical damage to your business location.  
3. Secure Your Property: Inspect your facility for vulnerabilities—reinforce windows, doors, and roofing. If flooding is a risk, move equipment and inventory off the ground or to safer locations. To determine if your location is a flood risk, visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.  
4. Update Emergency Contacts: Maintain a current list of employees, vendors, and key clients. Ensure everyone knows how to receive updates before, during, and after a storm.  
5. Review Insurance Coverage: Understand what your policy covers and confirm it’s up to date. Consider business interruption insurance to help with lost income during closures.  
6. Communicate with Your Team: Keep employees informed of your hurricane plan and ensure they know what to expect in an emergency. If possible, consider offering flexible work-from-home options.  

Local Support Is Available  

The Office of Economic Vitality encourages all businesses to take advantage of local disaster preparedness resources. Hurricane preparedness is not just a precaution—it’s an investment in your business’s resilience. Start planning today to protect your employees, operations, and future.