Beyond Folders : disasters

Recovering from Disaster

Community Manager — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:35:00 GMT

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy. As you work to recover and move forward, we've assembled a list of helpful tools to aid the process.

Generator Safety

Many East Coast residents are relying on generators for electricity and heat as power outages continue. Be generator smart with these safety tips from the Long Island Power Authority.

Food & Water Safety

Once the storm's rains and winds subside, safety concerns start to focus on food and water supplies. For a complete primer, read these two articles: A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes and Water and Food Safety After Hurricane: Can you drink the water and eat the food? Advice from the FDA.

Returning to a Damaged or Flooded Home

If you needed to evaucate your home and are now returning to a damaged property, please read this check list of tips from the Red Cross before returning. Tips include bringing cameras to document damage for insurance claims and wearing protective clothing.

Insurance Claims

Educate yourself about how insurance claims work in order to get the best result. We've assembled several useful articles to get you up to speed:

Filing Insurance Claims After Sandy: What to Expect, CNNMoney.com
Need to file a hurricane-related insurance claim? Follow this checklist for getting help fast
N.J. offers tips on filing insurance claims after Hurricane Sandy
Business interruption insurance claims loom after Sandy

Finally, we leave you with links to two of the best informational resources on disasters and their aftermaths: FEMA and the American Red Cross. Answers to many of your recovery questions can be answered here.

We wish you the best of luck as you work to recover and rebuild. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Preparing your Business for Hurricane Sandy

Community Manager — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:53:00 GMT

As Hurricane Sandy creates havoc across a wide swath of the U.S., we are reminded of the harsh toll weather disasters can exact on people and businesses.

Most of us know how to prepare our homes when crazy weather hits: we stock up on water, non-perishables, flashlights and batteries. But how many small business owners know how to prepare their business and employees for the disruptions of a storm? Be sure your business can survive a weather related disaster with a few simple steps.

Business owners should take following precautions:

Get Checklist Smart: Create checklists that address plans for data back-up, crisis communications and any necessary office relocations. Prepare a list of any documents and equipment necessary to ensure business continuity and research relocation options ahead of time.

Double Your Docs: Store copies of your insurance policy and financial records in a safe, fire-proof place away from your business. All digital files should be backed up daily and stored off-site.

Operating Instructions: Take the guesswork out of emergencies by providing employees with instructions on what they should do when a crisis develops. Institute a chain of command system that allows all employees to be quickly briefed on business resumption and recovery plans. Fine-tune the plan bi-annually to keep up with personnel changes and new logistics.

Keep in Touch: Regularly update all contact information for employees, customers and vendors and store in a remote location.

Know Your Insurance: Review the fine print on your insurance policy. For example, hazard insurance doesn't necessarily cover floods so be sure to know exactly what is and isn't covered. Identify what documents are required by your insurer in the event of a disaster. Have those records on hand and store duplicates off-site.

Get Shipshape: Make sure your physical workplace is sound. Regularly check that all possible hazards, such as gas lines, water heaters, etc., are secure. Likewise, make sure that bookshelves and other fixtures are securely braced. Check that the roof is sound and able to withstand wind and water damage.

For more resources, check out the sound advice in 4 Steps in Preparing For A Disaster and Prepare Your Workplace and Employees.

Be safe, everyone.

Preparing your Business for a Disaster

Community Manager — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:17:00 GMT

Epic flooding in Vermont and punishing tornados in Alabama are recent examples of the harsh toll weather disasters can exact on people and businesses.

Most of us know how to prepare our homes when crazy weather hits: we stock up on water, non-perishables, flashlights and batteries. But how many small business owners know how to prepare their business and employees in advance of a storm? As the old saying goes, "The time to fix your roof is when the sun is shining." The time to prepare for a disaster is before it strikes.

Business owners should take following precautions:

Know Your Insurance: Review the fine print on your insurance policy. Hazard insurance doesn't necessarily cover flood insurance so be sure to know exactly what is and isn't covered.

Double Your Docs: Store copies of your insurance policy and financial records in a safe, fire-proof place away from your business.

Check Please!: Create a checklist that addresses plans for data back-up, any necessary office relocations and crisis communications.

Operating Instructions: Take the guesswork out of emergencies by providing employees with instructions on what they should do when a crisis develops. Fine-tune the plan bi-annually to keep up with personnel changes and new logistics.

Keep in Touch: Regularly update all contact information for employees, customers and vendors and store in a remote location.

Get Shipshape: How sound is your workplace? Regularly check that all possible hazards, such as gas lines, water heaters, etc., are secure. Likewise, make sure that bookshelves and other fixtures items are securely braced. Check that the roof is sound and able to withstand wind and water damage.

For more resources, please visit: