Home - Recent Post - Recent News - NJBAC Wants to Make Sure Your Business is Prepared for Disasters Amid Rising Weather Trends
The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) offers tips to make sure your business is prepared for natural disasters.
By Melanie Willoughby, Executive Director, The New Jersey Business Action Center
Businesses nationwide are still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ongoing supply chain delays, labor shortages, and inflation are just some of the challenges businesses are trying to navigate.
To compound these issues, as businesses in our coastal state work to recover from a once-in-a-century public health crisis, they must also prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 to November 30.
Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service — are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year, which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season.
NOAA predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
Estimates indicate that 40% of small businesses never reopen following a disaster and 75% of businesses fail within three years after a natural disaster.
The longer your business is not operating, the more likely you are to lose customers permanently to competitors. It is essential to be prepared with an emergency management plan for these storms.
No one wants to consider these misfortunes, but they remain possible. However, with the help of advanced planning, businesses will be in an advantageous position and set to “weather” a natural disaster.
The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC), a part of the New Jersey Department of State, recommends several strategies to help small businesses endure:
Natural disasters cannot be averted. But as a business owner, you can take steps to minimize disruption and reduce loss so that, once the storm clears, you can return to normal operations as soon as possible.
An effective disaster preparedness plan will ensure that you and your employees are safe in any unforeseen circumstance.
For more emergency preparedness strategies and resources, view our complete guide.
The NJBAC provides several helpful resources for small businesses to get assistance throughout the state.
To learn more, visit www.nj.gov/state/bac or call 1-800-JERSEY-7.
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