While Macon, Georgia, isn’t located on the coast, the impact of severe storms, including hurricanes, can still be significant. The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, marked by unusually warm sea temperatures and a strong El Niño, brought 20 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Inland cities like Macon often experience heavy rain, high winds, and flooding when tropical storms make landfall, which can disrupt business operations and cause long-term damage.
Even though Macon isn’t directly on the coast, Hurricane Sandy in 2012 serves as a reminder that storms can cause widespread devastation far beyond coastal areas. Sandy resulted in 159 deaths and $88.5 billion in damages, impacting infrastructure, services, and businesses across a large swath of the U.S. East Coast. By learning from past storms and preparing ahead, Macon businesses can minimize the risk and keep operations running smoothly.
How to Prepare Your Small Business for Severe Storms
1. Assess Vulnerabilities Specific to Your Business
Take a close look at how a severe storm could impact your operations. Are your systems, data backups, and supply chains ready for a disruption? Make sure staff are trained to handle crisis situations, and ensure you have contingencies for remote work, storing equipment off-site, and maintaining essential operations.
2. Know Your Location's Risks
Macon may not face the direct coastal impacts of hurricanes, but the region is vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flooding from storms that track inland. Is your business located in a flood-prone area? FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center can provide detailed information on your property’s flood risk. Businesses near the Ocmulgee River or in low-lying areas should take extra precautions.
3. Develop a Hurricane-Specific Emergency Plan
Employee safety should be a top priority. Ensure you have a plan for sending non-essential workers home before a storm hits and keeping essential staff safe from high winds or potential flooding. Assign specific roles to employees for crisis management, stock up on emergency supplies like battery-operated lights, radios, and non-perishable food, and keep a generator handy for power outages.
4. Create a Business Continuity Plan
A well-prepared business continuity plan is essential to recovering from storm-related disruptions. Macon businesses should plan for issues such as power outages, road closures, or even temporary relocation of operations. Having the infrastructure in place for remote work can also help minimize downtime.
According to FEMA, almost 40% of businesses forced to shut down for at least 24 hours due to a disaster never reopen. Small businesses, in particular, face a high risk of permanent closure if they don’t resume operations within five days. Having a solid continuity plan in place can make all the difference.
5. Communicate with Employees, Customers, and Partners
A crisis communication plan is essential before, during, and after a storm. Your employees need clear instructions on what’s expected of them, while customers, suppliers, and local authorities should be kept informed of your business's status. Use multiple communication channels—phone, text, social media, and your website—to ensure everyone has the latest information.
6. Protect Your Property from Storm Damage
Local businesses are no strangers to high winds and rain, and it’s crucial to protect your physical assets. Start with your roof, ensuring it's secure and well-maintained. If your business is in a flood-prone area, consider storing critical equipment, files, and stock in a higher location or off-site. Sandbags and bracing doors can prevent water from entering your building.
Don’t wait until a storm is on the horizon—regular inspections and maintenance of your building can help identify potential weaknesses before disaster strikes.
7. Ensure You Have Adequate Insurance
Don’t assume your basic commercial property insurance will cover hurricane or flood damage. In many cases, you’ll need additional coverage for hurricane-related damage or separate flood insurance. Review your policies with your insurance agent to ensure you’re fully covered for risks specific to your area.
Conclusion: Start Preparing Now
Even in Macon, severe weather can have a major impact on local businesses. By taking the time now to assess vulnerabilities, create a business continuity plan, and secure adequate insurance, you can protect your business from the worst impacts of storms. Proactive planning will not only ensure the safety of your employees and customers, but also help your business recover quickly and continue to thrive in the aftermath of severe weather. As always, call us if you need us: 478-745-7200.
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