Hurricane Shutters Can Keep Your Business from Being Shuttered Before and After a Storm
In a recent article posted in the Daytona Beach News Journal, it stated, “Florida emergency-management workers aren’t approaching this year’s hurricane season as anything basic, but they are looking forward to what the new state director calls the ABCs — “Anything But COVID.”
As the season officially begins June 1, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) reports it will have surpassed 450 days responding to COVID-19. Although Florida has remained relatively open throughout the pandemic, most industries suffered some financial losses and disruption to business, services, and production.
At Brevard Shutters, the premier provider of hurricane shutters in Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie county for nearly a decade, we are well aware of the challenges business owners have faced during this past year. The last thing we want to see is your business shuttered further when professional grade storm shutters are a simple, cost-effective, and reliable fix to prevent hurricane-related financial losses to your company. With the rising cost of lumber, plywood covered windows and doors is a costly, temporary, and risky approach to an annually recurring problem.
10 Hurricane Tips to Prepare, Continue, and Rebuild Your Business after a Storm
In addition to safeguarding your commercial property with hurricane shutters, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) and the FDEM offer recommendations to ensure your organization’s continuity before, during, and after the storm.
1. Review your commercial business policy.
Property values and costs of building materials — especially lumber — have been on the rise while Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) residential assistance tops out at $36,000. Confirm in advance precisely what damage and how much your insurance will cover. Inquire about FEMA limits for businesses as well.
2. Install hurricane shutters.
Whether installed by hurricane shutter professionals or a storm shutter DIY, they can be the single most effective line of first defense. Hurricane shutters not only protect the interior of your business from being damaged, they are also an affordable investment for years to come.
3. Back up data and ensure access to your most important files remotely.
Hurricane shutters prevent a lot of wind, window, and water intrusion, but you should ensure the most important documents are preserved electronically and remain accessible.
4. Implement a back-up power supply system and an emergency communication plan.
A generator can keep systems requiring electricity performing seamlessly during and after a weather event. Make sure you have up-to-date contact information for all customers, employees, and suppliers.
5. Secure outdoor items from becoming projectiles.
Remove all loose debris, anchor, or relocate all nonessential equipment, and secure heavy equipment.
6. Have cash on hand for post-hurricane needs.
Cash may be useful for buying food and supplies or paying employees and contractors should electronic payment systems go down.
7. Shelter in place.
If your business is at its peak during storm season, take responsibility for employee safety with a predetermined interior room on the lowest level of your facility.
8. After the storm, survey your business property inside and outside for safety hazards.
Look for, but don’t touch, live wires, leaking gas or flammable liquids, and poisonous gases. Inspect for damage to foundations or underground piping.
9. Begin debris removal as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
If you do not have quality hurricane shutters or took a last-minute approach to securing your windows and doors, identify breaks and cover immediately. Clean roof drains and discard to prevent drainage problems.
10. Apply for disaster assistance if needed.
Check disasterloan.sba.gov to see if a disaster has been declared in your area. Then, create an account and apply for a loan on SBA’s disaster assistance website.
Don’t let a storm shutter your business!
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 60 percent chance of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), with six to 10 reaching hurricane strength (winds of 74 mph or higher) and three to five considered major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or higher).
While the information above may be redundant for seasoned Florida business owners, relocating northerners and westerners to our state’s friendly business climate, may be less familiar with Florida’s hurricane-friendly climate.
At Brevard Shutters in Melbourne, whether your business needs hurricane shutters in Brevard, Indian River, or St. Lucie counties, we’ve got you protected. We offer the industry’s latest in accordion shutters, armor screen, Bahama shutters, hurricane panels, roll-up, Colonial shutters and much more. If you are seeking professional hurricane shutter installation or going the DIY route, you can expect quality controlled, factory-built products, coupled with superior service. Your project receives individual attention from design consultation through fabrication, installation, and completion. We will guide you through the process of storm shutter selection and required materials to get the job done right, the first time.
