Hurricane season is upon us for the Gulf Coast and the Mobile Chamber team is here to help local businesses prepare. 

Investing time in creating a contingency plan now will allow your business to swiftly return to normal operations post-storm, saving both time and money in the long term. 

Making a plan ensures peace of mind, knowing that you and your team are well-prepared and safe. 

To facilitate this, we’ve curated a collection of resources and guidance to aid our members in developing a comprehensive hurricane emergency plan tailored to Gulf Coast conditions. Scroll below for resources to get your business through every stage of weathering a storm.

Creating your plan

• 2024 Hurricane Prep: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06-hurricane-preparedness-ready-storm-season.html 
• Continuity Plan: https://www.ready.gov/business-continuity-plan
• Crisis Communication Plan: https://www.ready.gov/crisis-communications-plan
• Business Impact Analysis: https://www.ready.gov/business-impact-analysis
• Ready Business Hurricane Toolkit: https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/ready_business_hurricane-toolkit.pdf
• Flood Insurance: https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance
• Review New Hurricane Resources: https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-above-normal-2024-atlantic-hurricane-season 

A warning has been issued, now what?

• Review your hurricane plan with your staff.
• Mobile, AL Evacuation Routes: https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/environmental/resources/emaflyer.pdf 
• Disaster Supply Kit: https://www.ready.gov/kit 
• Monitor the Storm: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
• Flood Map: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home 

During the Storm

• Have multiple ways to stay up to date on what the storm is doing and receive weather alerts. Examples include TV, radio, cell phones and apps such as:
  • Red Cross Emergency App: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html
  • FEMA App: https://www.ready.gov/fema-app
• Text SHELTER to 43362 to find nearby shelters.
• Safety Procedures: https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-action
• Need help? https://uwswa.org/our-work/hurricane-preparation/

The aftermath

• Listen to local officials and do not travel to assess damage at your business until after local officials give the signal that it is safe to get on the roads.
• Carefully assess any damage.
• Take pictures of any damage your business has sustained for insurance purposes.
• Contact your staff and communicate where everyone stands in the wake of the storm.
• IT Recovery Plan: https://www.ready.gov/it-disaster-recovery-plan
• Want to volunteer to help people after the storm? https://volunteer.uwswa.org/