Understanding the Landscape

Not only is the frequency of storms increasing, but their intensity is also expected to rise due to the effects of climate change. Historical data reveals that the economic repercussions of hurricanes are intensifying, with the cumulative costs of weather and climate disasters over recent decades. Effective preparedness for these events extends beyond having emergency supplies; it involves a strategic and comprehensive approach that encompasses all facets of a business.

“Every company needs to plan ahead for disasters,” explains Anne Marie May, 91������ Regional Vice President, Risk Management. “This includes having a detailed Emergency Response / Business Continuity plan along with periodic safety drills. It takes a village to overcome the physical and emotional impacts of a disaster.”

“As an insurance carrier in the state of Florida, we know hurricanes will happen,” she says. “We expect this, plan for its impact and complete practice drills to identify any gaps. This way, we remain prepared to support our customers, policyholders, and employees in times of emergency.”

Essential Elements of a Disaster Response Kit

Adequate Water and Food Supplies: Ensure a sufficient supply of water and non-perishable food to sustain all personnel for at least three days.

Effective Communication Tools: Include battery-powered or hand-crank radios and ensure access to weather alerts and communications with external authorities through devices endorsed by .

Comprehensive Safety and First Aid Gear: Equip your facility with essential first aid supplies and tools necessary for immediate repairs and personal protection.

Regular maintenance of is essential for ensuring readiness. Be sure to store supplies in easily accessible locations and conduct regular checks to replace expired items and adapt the kits to changing needs and new insights.

Disasters can also strike unpredictably, making it imperative for businesses to prepare not just at their main operations centers but across all potential points of impact, including remote work locations. In the event of a hurricane or severe weather event, businesses can stay crucially informed with the most up-to-date information through authoritative sources like and the .

Strategic Implementation

With the increase in hurricane activity predicted, businesses must adopt a proactive and strategic approach to disaster preparedness. This involves not only setting up and maintaining emergency kits but also training staff, conducting regular drills, and establishing clear communication channels for crisis management.

For further guidance and tailored resources on hurricane preparedness, check out our complete library of hurricane preparedness resources at 91������’s Resource Center.

These are just a few of the harsh realities that businesses may face in the event of a major emergency. Natural disasters can strike at any moment, posing a serious threat to the survival of your business. However, the key to weathering such storms lies in proactive planning and preparation. Businesses that bounce back quickly from disasters are those that have meticulously planned ahead. They know precisely what steps to take when disaster strikes, and perhaps most importantly, they’ve invested in the right insurance coverage to fund their recovery efforts. In the face of uncertainty, preparation is not just prudent—it’s essential for survival.

Assessing the Risks

Understanding the unique risks posed by natural disasters is the first step in building resilience. into flood-prone areas, guiding businesses to assess their vulnerability. According to FEMA, floods are the most common and costly natural disasters in the United States, with an average of $8.2 billion in damages annually. Consider downloading , where you can receive real-time weather and emergency alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide.

Crafting a Disaster Recovery Blueprint

that 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster, underscoring the urgency of preparedness. A robust serves as a lifeline during turbulent times, encompassing proactive measures and swift response strategies.

Central to any resilience strategy is a robust disaster recovery plan that outlines clear steps for response and recovery in the aftermath of a catastrophe. Duplicate record-keeping, off-site data storage, and meticulous documentation of critical business activities and resources are essential elements of an effective recovery plan. Moreover, identifying alternative facilities, equipment, and suppliers, and establishing emergency response protocols are integral components of disaster preparedness. By developing a comprehensive recovery roadmap and empowering employees with the tools and training they need to execute it, businesses can minimize downtime, mitigate losses, and expedite the path to recovery.

Rigorous Emergency Response

In the chaotic aftermath of a disaster, swift and decisive action is paramount to preserving life, limiting property damage, and ensuring continuity of operations. Establishing an , and conducting regular drills to familiarize employees with their roles and responsibilities are critical steps in preparedness.

From notifying authorities and evacuating the premises to securing essential supplies and communications, a well-executed emergency response plan can mean the difference between chaos and control in the face of adversity. Investing in duplicate record-keeping and off-site data storage, is also a key measure in ensuring continuity even in the face of data loss or infrastructure damage. By prioritizing preparedness and equipping employees with the knowledge and resources they need to respond effectively, businesses can navigate the challenges of disaster with confidence and resilience.

Fortifying Insurance Coverage

Insurance serves as a financial safety net in the aftermath of a disaster, but adequate coverage is paramount. FEMA highlights that of businesses lack sufficient insurance coverage for natural disasters, leaving them vulnerable to substantial losses. From covering the costs of property damage and business interruption to reimbursing for additional expenses incurred during the restoration period, comprehensive insurance coverage provides the financial security needed to weather the storm. Property insurance policies should be meticulously reviewed and supplemented with flood insurance, particularly for businesses located in high-risk areas. By regularly reviewing and updating their insurance policies, businesses can ensure they have adequate coverage to protect against the indirect costs of disasters and facilitate a swift and seamless recovery.

Looking Ahead

Preparing for natural disasters demands proactive planning, collaboration, and resource mobilization. By heeding the insights from authoritative sources and leveraging available resources, businesses can fortify their resilience and navigate the turbulent waters of natural calamities.

Embracing a culture of preparedness and investing in risk mitigation measures not only safeguards businesses but also fosters long-term sustainability. As businesses embark on their journey to weather the storm, they emerge stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to confront future challenges head-on.

91������ has a robust catalog for natural disasters, driven by a cohesive team of passionate specialists. Check out our complete library of hurricane preparedness resources.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in this article are for general informational purposes only. 

Closely resembling 2004’s Hurricane Charley’s wind speed, pressure, location, and landfall time, the storm differentiated itself from Charley and a recent lineup of Gulf hurricanes in diameter (~290 miles) and speed (~8-9 mph). This combination led to record-breaking storm surges of over 7’ in downtown Fort Myers and nearly 14’ at Fort Myers Beach.

Aerial images of a missing Sanibel Causeway, boatless marinas, sand in place of homes, and ground images of rooftops surrounded by water and piles of cars, boats, and their broken pieces illustrated that in days, this storm set off a recovery effort of years for the many affected areas. Hurricane Ian was estimated to have caused — the third most costly U.S. hurricane on record following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

As we recognize the anniversary of Hurricane Ian, and the Florida area repairs from Hurricane Idalia, read on to hear from 91������’s local experts on the company’s preparedness strategy and specific response to hurricanes for policyholders, agency partners and the Florida community.

How Does 91������ Plan for Hurricanes?

With offices across the country, 91������ has a plan in place to prepare in advance for disasters.

“We have a multidisciplinary Hurricane Operations team that initiates engagement when a hurricane threat is projected to hit one of our operating states,” said Anne Marie May, 91������’s regional vice president of Risk Management in Tampa, Florida.

“The objectives of each operations meeting are to execute our emergency response protocol, including internal and external communications, employee safety, and continuance of business operations. The team is comprised of leadership from operations such as Claims, Underwriting, Risk Management, Building Facilities, IT, Marketing and Human Resources. We monitor the storm’s progress along with our company’s potential exposure to damages.”

“During Hurricane Ian, employees located in flood zones had to evacuate and a majority of us lost power intermittently. Our business continuity efforts allowed work to be sent to other 91������ operations so business processes were not interrupted,” said May. “Hurricane Idalia closed our Florida for two days in accordance with county requirements and flooding. We relocated our claims operations out of state and employees who had power worked remotely. When operations resumed at the location and the office reopened, we informed our agency partners.”

Local Support from 91������

91������’s Corporate Property Claims Manager, Rick Powell, visited several policyholders after Hurricane Ian, getting a firsthand look at the impact on their clients’ businesses.

“We visited everyone with damaged property sites. We were there to reiterate that ‘we are here for you to help put you back together,” Powell said.

Powell made sure any questions policyholders had were answered, including coverages, timelines, and what happens next. A claims process would begin soon; the visits and conversations aimed to make the whole claims process a little easier on the business side.

“The hurricane passed within 30 miles of my house… Because I was so close, I was able to go down there right away,” said Powell, explaining that as 91������ claims team members like him receive claims, they make contact as quickly as possible.

“Our goal is to make contact the same day we get the claim – same-day contact in interviewing the policyholders, finding out the damage, and explaining to them the coverages.”

Helping Other Businesses Prepare

“Every company needs to plan ahead for disasters,” said May. “This includes having a detailed Emergency Response / Business Continuity plan along with periodic safety drills. It takes a village to overcome the physical and emotional impacts of a disaster. 

“As an insurance carrier in the state of Florida, we know hurricanes will happen,” said May. “We expect this, plan for its impact and complete practice drills to identify any gaps. This way, we remain prepared to support our customers, policyholders and employees in times of emergency.”

LEARN MORE

91������ has a robust catalog for natural disasters, driven by a cohesive team of passionate specialists. Check out our complete library of hurricane preparedness resources.