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Below is a free Disaster Preparedness Checklist for businesses preparing for Hurricane Milton’s landfall in Florida.
Disaster Preparedness Checklist
1. Business Continuity Planning
- Review and update your company’s emergency response and business continuity plan.
- Assign key roles and responsibilities for emergency management within the company.
- Ensure backup systems for critical data (e.g., cloud-based backups) are up to date and accessible remotely.
- Establish clear communication channels for both internal staff and external partners/clients.
- Test emergency notification systems (emails, text alerts, phone trees).
2. Employee Safety & Communication
- Compile a list of all employees, including emergency contacts and current locations.
- Ensure all employees are briefed on evacuation procedures and designated meeting points.
- Distribute emergency communication templates (e.g., for status check-ins, evacuation orders).
- Prepare a central information hub (intranet, cloud drive) for employees to access updated emergency procedures and contact lists.
3. Supply and Equipment Checks
- Ensure emergency supply kits (water, non-perishable food, first aid kits, flashlights) are stocked in the office.
- Secure all electronics and essential office equipment to protect against flood damage.
- Verify backup power sources, such as generators, are functional and accessible.
4. Data Protection
- Backup all critical business data and store it offsite or in the cloud.
- Check that all employees have access to the necessary systems for remote work in case of office closures.
- Test your company’s disaster recovery protocols for data security and recovery.
5. Facility Preparation
- Secure the physical building (board up windows, sandbag entrances, etc.) if in a high-risk area.
- Shut down non-essential power, water, and utilities before the storm.
- Ensure all office equipment, including computers, servers, and electrical systems, are unplugged and moved to higher ground if needed.
6. Post-Storm Recovery Plan
- Identify key personnel responsible for assessing damage after the event.
- Prepare a post-storm communication plan for employees and clients to notify them of the business’s status.
- Ensure that insurance documents and emergency contracts are accessible.
- Set up a schedule to assess and report damages, timeline for reopening, and continuity plans.
