Many metropolitan cities are in areas that are prone to natural disasters. All kinds of businesses thrive in these kinds of areas and the consequences of a natural disaster are often very damaging. Let’s go through several different natural disasters and how you can prepare for them as a business.

Earthquakes

The structure and stability of physical places of business are specifically targeted in earthquakes. Unfortunately entire office buildings are sometimes lost. With much smaller earthquakes it is more possible that you could just lose your internet connection or some of your equipment might break. In all cases, it’s best to have insurance on your building (should you own it) and your equipment - and of course make sure your employees are prepared and trained for such a thing to happen in the best way they can be. Start by teaching your employees basic earthquake survival steps, like the ones found here.

Floods

Floods are especially dangerous to your electronic equipment - your computer, your modem, etc. - as well as the physical condition of your business. Of course, take care of your employees first. Make sure they have evacuated to the safest place possible and they’re not driving or walking through the flood water (which is the largest cause of death in the midst of flooding). In the case of losing your computers to a flood, have backups prepared - third party or cloud storage backups may be best here. And of course, have flooding insurance to help with the costs of those equipment.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes combine the worst results of floods and earthquakes and are some of the most damaging of natural disasters as people my age saw with Hurricane Katrina. They specifically require extra preparation as opposed to other natural disasters (Boating businesses, look out!)

Fires

Fires are similar to earthquakes but less easily recoverable as far as equipment goes. If something falls down, it might be recoverable. But if something is burned, it’s done from the inside out and is probably unsaveable. This is another reason backups are so important, and why keeping them in a separate place from your place of work may be a good idea. Obviously, fires and burns on any level hurt people, so literal “fire insurance” is important here.

Blizzards

Blizzards can halt your business from making money, because they can halt consumption. Of course, mass freezing can hurt electronics as well, as well as building conditions, and manufacturing. If employers can’t get to work, then work can’t be done. Doing the most possible ahead of time, or having an early deadline for things to be done may help, especially if the area you live in is prone to this disaster. And having some kind of PTO or sick day pay for your employees is also a good idea - after all, people do need money to put food on their plates!

What did I miss? Let me know over at Twitter @Robolitious.