Hurricane Season Prep Tips for Commercial Properties

Understanding the Risks of Hurricane Season

The Atlantic hurricane season, spanning from June 1 to November 30, presents significant challenges for commercial properties. With peak activity historically happening between mid-August and mid-October, businesses must prepare. The 2025 hurricane season forecasts potential risks similar to the 2024 season, which saw 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes. As storm activity trends above average, preparing your business now can mitigate financial loss, operational downtime, and safety hazards.

Secure the Building

Ensure the safety of your commercial property by inspecting and reinforcing the building exterior, including roofs, windows, and doors, to withstand high winds and flying debris. Consider installing storm shutters or impact-resistant glass for extra protection against severe weather.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

Checking your insurance coverage is crucial. Make sure your commercial property insurance adequately covers hurricane-related damages. Remember, flood damage usually isn't included in standard policies, so obtaining a separate flood insurance policy might be necessary to protect your business fully.

Develop a Business Continuity Plan

Creating a robust business continuity plan can dramatically influence how your business weathers a storm. This plan should detail strategies for maintaining operations before, during, and after a hurricane. Include communication methods, data backups, and potential alternative work arrangements for employees.

Maintain Landscaping

Before hurricanes hit, manage your property's landscaping. Trimming trees and removing loose debris can prevent these elements from becoming dangerous projectiles during high winds, reducing potential property damage.

Backup Power Supply

A reliable power solution is vital to keep operations running during outages. Invest in generators or alternative power sources that can maintain critical business functions when conventional power fails.

Protect Documents and Equipment

Important equipment and documents should be stored in waterproof containers to avoid water damage. Safeguarding these items ensures your business can resume efficiently post-storm.

Prepare Your Employees

Educating your employees about hurricane preparedness is essential. Share knowledge on evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and safety procedures to ensure their safety and readiness when a hurricane strikes. By starting preparations early, businesses can safeguard their assets, personnel, and operations from the unpredictability of hurricane season. Being proactive not only minimizes damage but also accelerates recovery and return to normalcy after the storm.