{"id":1344,"date":"2017-10-09T10:30:04","date_gmt":"2017-10-09T18:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.checkworks.com\/blog\/?p=1344"},"modified":"2017-10-09T10:31:47","modified_gmt":"2017-10-09T18:31:47","slug":"how-to-give-your-business-cpr-after-a-natural-disaster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.checkworks.com\/index.php\/how-to-give-your-business-cpr-after-a-natural-disaster\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Give Your Business CPR After a Natural Disaster"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

By MJ Plaster<\/p>\n

The disasters keep rolling in\u2014one right after the other. Unpredictable weather is one of the things Americans have learned to live with. It\u2019s when, not if, a natural disaster or a wind-fueled wildfire will strike. As a business owner, you want to protect inventory, physical buildings, data, employees and office pets.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been through more natural disasters than I care to remember, including Tennessee\u2019s Thousand-Year Flood in 2010 when my home sustained six feet of gushing water. I lived to tell the story and worked my way through the labyrinth of complex forms, organizations, qualifications, etc., the hard way. Now that I\u2019ve earned the t-shirt, I\u2019ll share what I\u2019ve learned.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First Steps After the Disaster<\/strong>
\nThere\u2019s so much to do, you\u2019ll be overwhelmed at first. It\u2019s difficult to know where to start. You want to attack the list in the right order, and get professional help for tasks beyond your pay grade.<\/p>\n

Safety First<\/strong>
\nSafety is your only immediate consideration. The safety of you and your employees, not to mention your family, are more important than your business. Things can be replaced, and businesses can be rebuilt. Life is irreplaceable; it\u2019s once and done! Keep everyone safe and worry about the business later.<\/p>\n

Play the Waiting Game<\/strong>
\nWait until the authorities clear your area for re-entry before checking your workplace for damage. You have no way of knowing the conditions en route to your business\u2014live, downed electrical lines; impassable roads, toxic chemicals; raw sewage; and wildlife such as alligators and snakes. Earthquakes spawn aftershocks, and winds can re-ignite wildfires. Your life could depend on your patience.<\/p>\n

Text messages are your best bet for contacting others before power and communications are restored. The occasional text message will slip through. Internet, landline, and cell phone service will be spotty to non-existent. Once communications are restored, you will still have trouble getting calls through because everyone will be placing calls at once.<\/p>\n

While you play the waiting game, contact your insurance company. If you don\u2019t have a copy of your policy, request an email copy because mail service will be non-existent in some areas. Flood and earthquake insurance are separate policies, not covered under your general business insurance. FEMA underwrites flood insurance, but your insurance agent sells it. In hard-hit areas, FEMA won\u2019t have enough adjustment agents to handle all claims promptly, so ask your insurance agent if he or she can handle it.<\/p>\n

Make an extensive list of everything you\u2019ve lost while you\u2019re waiting to get back into your place of business. Once you\u2019re in, retrieve any available receipts. Contact vendors for copies of missing receipts. You must be able to prove (to varying degrees) your losses to receive reimbursement.<\/p>\n

FEMA Grants<\/strong>
\nThe Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not offer grants to businesses or farms. However, if you do not have flood insurance, you may qualify for a FEMA grant for your primary residence. FEMA representatives will be everywhere to offer assistance.<\/p>\n

SBA and FSA Loans and Grants<\/strong>
\nIf you are located in a declared disaster area, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses and homeowners. The SBA site says, \u201cSBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets.\u201d Use your wait time to apply for an SBA loan if money is an issue. Even if money is not an issue right now, consider applying for a loan. When grants become available, the organization extending the grant usually wants to see SBA loan paperwork before you can apply for a grant. This sounds counterintuitive, but SBA paperwork opens doors that otherwise remain locked\u2014even for homeowners.<\/p>\n

If you own a farm, the Farm Service Agency is your go-to destination for disaster assistance and loans.<\/p>\n

Cleanup Priorities<\/strong>
\nYou need to address smoke removal and black mold immediately. Stay away from stairs until a professional verifies their integrity, and if the ceiling\u2019s integrity is in question, get out. Unless you\u2019re qualified, leave smoke and mold removal, structural, and electrical, plumbing and equipment repairs to the pros.<\/p>\n

Get up and Running<\/strong>
\nEven if your workplace needs repairs, your business doesn\u2019t have to come to a grinding halt.<\/p>\n