Hurricane season has arrived on the Gulf Coast and the team at the Mobile Chamber is here to help local businesses be prepared for anything that may come our way.

Putting in the time now to create and develop a contingency plan for your business before a storm develops can help your business get back to normal operations quickly and efficiently after the storm passes. A plan can save you money in the long run.

Most importantly, a plan can ensure peace of mind that you and your staff are safe and prepared.

We have compiled a list of resources to help you streamline the process of creating a hurricane emergency plan for our members’ businesses. Scroll down for a list of resources and advice that can help you during each phase of weathering a storm on the Gulf Coast.

Creating your plan

• 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

A warning has been issued, now what?

• Review your hurricane plan with your staff.
• Mobile, AL Evacuation Routes: https://www.mcema.net/evacuation/evacuation-routes
• Mobile, AL Evacuation Zones: https://www.mcema.net/evacuation/evacuation-zones
• Disaster Supply Kit: https://www.mcema.net/emergency-preparedness/disaster-supply-kit
• Monitor the Storm: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

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, cellphones 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
• 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 your business has.
• Take picture 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/