SBA Offers Disaster Preparedness Advice

06/04/2010

With forecasters predicting one of the most active hurricane seasons in years, the time has come for businesses and consumers to plan ahead, according to the Small Business Administration.

A new website located at www.preparemybusiness.org/ includes information on establishing a disaster preparedness plan that will enable businesses to open their doors again. In addition to documents about risk assessment and recovery, the SBA website will serve as a host for free, monthly webinars.

Adequate business interruption and homeowners insurance can cover some of the costs associated with a hurricane, wildfire or tornado. The SBA urges consumers to also make copies of important documents, plan an evacuation route, pull together a survival kit and designate a contact person or place.

"Every threat, from wind storms, floods, wildfires and earthquakes, to power outages and computer system failures, reminds us to be proactive when it comes to building strategies to survive a disaster and recover quickly," SBA administrator Karen Mills said. "Recent disaster events demonstrate the need for preparedness to reduce the risk to life and property."

Homeowners and businesses may access SBA low-interest loans to replace damaged property, possessions or assets.

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