From 2000 to 2019, there were 7,348 major natural disasters worldwide, killing 1.23 million people and resulting in $2.97 trillion in global economic losses1. And while 60% of small businesses don’t have an emergency plan2 for handling these situations, the numbers don’t lie – it’s necessary.
A good emergency plan should have three stages. Preparation for the storm, how to react during the storm, and what to do once the storm is over and the damage has occurred. The plan should always factor in cleanup & repair time and the well-being and safety of staff and occupants.
Some statistics regarding the effects storms have on businesses:
- More than 1 in 4 businesses undergo a significant crisis in any given year.
- Without an emergency plan, 43% never reopen after the damage occurs.
- Of the businesses that do reopen, only 29% remain open two years later.
By reaching out to your local emergency management office or Red Cross chapter, you can learn about their emergency response plans, evacuation plans, and emergency shelters. This information can help you form your emergency plan and is a great place to start.
Damage during storms can be long-term if not adequately taken care of immediately and can lead to illnesses. The good news is that not all damage means buildings have to shut down. A good cleanup plan considers downtime, employee health, and long-term results.
We have put together a flyer that breaks down flood cleanup and what products work best. This step-by-step guide provides information on the tools needed for repairs, how to use them, and what to do to prevent future issues. Mold can be a huge problem when it comes to flood cleanup, and we have solutions for immediate and long-term results. We’ve recently introduced a new product to our line of disinfectants, MPC HP 180 Complete, which is a powerful ready-to-use disinfectant and should be on any emergency planning list.
- https://sdg.iisd.org/news/undrr-report-calls-for-improved-governance-to-address-systemic-risk/
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140916005080/en/Office-Depot-Inc.-Small-Business-Index-Finds-Just-One-in-Three-Small-Businesses-Have-a-Disaster-Plan
