Prepare Your Business for Hurricane Barry and Beyond

By Megan M. Duhon | Business Help | Comments are Closed | 13 July, 2019 | 0

Tropical Storm Barry has made landfall and is projected to send Acadia Parish quite a lot of heavy rain and wind. However, after the flooding of August 2016, we learned a few tips that worked for our local businesses that might help alleviate your worry.

Because, after all, we care about your business. In addition, we will be communicating with state agencies to clue them in to your needs during this weekend’s weather event and any others that may come our way. During an emergency, the best way to get in touch with us is email: kat@acadiaparishchamber.org.

Here are a few tips to help prepare your business for any disaster:

Print a list of vendors and suppliers or other businesses you may need to contact in the event your business is not accessible
Create an old fashion phone tree for your employees to ensure everyone is safe & to communicate plans for closures or precautions
Assemble an evacuation plan in case you have to leave the business suddenly, include details on customer evacuation & shut down procedures
Elevate files & electronics and bring critical documents (like your insurance information) home with you; purchase an external hard drive for back-up

Additional Resources and Key Contacts

Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center

The Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center (LABEOC) is a joint partnership between Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), and the National Incident Management Systems & Advanced Technologies (NIMSAT) Institute at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Louisiana Economic Development and 40 business leaders and industry trade associations, as well as representatives from the Louisiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, who hold seats at the LABEOC facility. Please go to LABEOC.org to view news alerts and login to update your contact information, if necessary. LA BEOC is open to any Louisiana Business or Organization and there is no cost to join. LABEOC.org

Small Business Disaster Recovery from the US Chamber

When a disaster occurs, businesses must take care of their employees’ needs, communicate the impact, address financial matters (e.g., insurance, disaster assistance), restore operations, and organize recovery. This Quick Guide includes resources to help reopen your business and make progress through long-term recovery. For more details, visit uschamberfoundation.org/ccc.

Small Business Disaster Recovery Quick Guide

Additional Business Resources

Louisiana Economic Development– Resources for impacted businesses

Disaster Help Desk for Business—Businesses can call 1-888-My-Biz-Help for 24/7 direct support from disaster recovery experts.

Six Steps to Prepare Your Business for Tropical Cyclone Two—this blog post outlines practical steps businesses should take before a disaster strikes.

Resilience in a Box—Resource guide based on best practices designed to help educate business leaders on disaster preparedness and business resilience.

Message from LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M.

LSU AgCenter Storm Ready Resources