The Pre-storm Checklist: Securing Your Business’ Physical Assets Before Evacuation 

Natural disasters are formidable and unnerving, not just because of their immense power, but also because of their sheer unpredictability. No two disasters are exactly alike; each brings their own host of challenges.

The damage can be widespread, and it can take communities years to fully recuperate.  For businesses—especially small businesses—the road to recovery can be particularly challenging. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that 40-60% of small businesses never reopen after a disaster.  

Often, natural disasters hit in waves. There’s the initial anxiety of anticipation, the actual wrath of destruction, and the aftermath of trying to defend against opportunistic criminals while trying to rebuild.

Natural disasters usually fall into two categories: those that you can track ahead of time, and those that strike without much warning. And while it can feel like a fool’s errand, the best way to protect your business and assets is to prepare for the unexpected. Taking precautions and implementing natural disaster mitigation can be money well spent. In fact, according to a study cited by FEMA, the return on investment is an average of $4 of savings for every $1 spent. Below is a checklist to help safeguard your business before evacuation.

Pre-Storm Evacuation Checklist

1. Assess Risks

Natural disaster management begins well before potential storms are identified or warning sirens blare. To prepare and protect against a natural disaster, you must first identify vulnerabilities. By conducting a risk assessment, you can identify which natural disasters your business may be most susceptible to, which times of year they are likely to impact your business and operations, and which operations are most exposed to harm. Then, you can come up with a playbook to mitigate those risks.

2. Fortify Doors, Windows, and Roofs

Natural disasters can wreak havoc on your premises. To minimize damages, you need to fortify any infrastructure on your property. Boarding windows with plywood or installing storm windows helps you avoid shattered glass, and reduces the ability for rain, debris, or unwanted guests to enter your business. Fortifying doors by boarding them up, adding additional locks, and sandbagging gaps where water can enter can help secure your premises and minimize flooding. Securing roofs can help keep extreme weather from infiltrating your building. It can also bolster your property against flying debris that can further damage your business.

3. Clear Away Potential Hazards

Trimming overhanging branches and removing aging or dying trees helps reduce the risk of them falling and damaging roofs or nearby structures. Regularly clearing your surroundings of loose items—such as logs, outdoor furniture, signs, or other unstable materials—can also prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles during high winds or storms.

4. Minimize Damage From Flooding

Flooding causes more damage in the U.S than in any other weather-related event. It causes an average of $8 billion in economic losses each year and claims more lives annually than any other severe weather event. 

The first step in protecting your business from flooding is safeguarding your inventory, equipment, and critical files. Store valuables in waterproof containers when possible, and keep items elevated to reduce exposure to floodwaters. This can be as simple as using shelves or pallets, or as involved as building raised platforms for larger machinery. In general, the higher you can elevate essential items, the better protected they’ll be against rising water.

Another recommendation is to unplug any electrical devices from outlets to minimize the risk of electric shortages, fires, or electrocution.

5. Back Up Data and Systems

An essential part of disaster preparedness is safeguarding irreplaceable information. Critical documents and data should be scanned and stored digitally, with backups kept on multiple drives or in the cloud. This ensures they remain accessible and recoverable even if your company’s hardware or physical servers are damaged.

To increase the ability of your business to get back up to speed as quickly as possible, it’s important to ensure backup systems are in place. This could mean bringing operations and systems off-site or ensuring you have a secondary source of power through generators, solar power, or other means besides the traditional power grid.

It’s also crucial to maintain reliable online channels for communicating with employees and customers. Social media platforms, messaging apps, and other digital tools make it easier to share updates quickly, provide critical information, and check on staff safety during an emergency.

Prepare for the Aftermath with AI Security Cameras

Dealing with the aftermath of a natural disaster can be overwhelming, to say the least. Beyond the physical damage to repair, the psychological and emotional toll can be debilitating. Unfortunately, crime is opportunistic; when businesses are most vulnerable, criminals are most likely to strike.

Having reliable AI security cameras or mobile security units in place can make a huge difference. Our outdoor cameras—whether fixed or on mobile units—allow you to monitor your premises even when conditions are compromised and crime is rampant. Power outages give criminals cover to move undetected, while damaged properties create easy entry points for trespassers and quick exits for thieves. In these moments, visibility is critical.

LVT’s AI surveillance cameras go beyond simple recording. Automated motion detection and advanced threat recognition help identify suspicious activity in real time—reducing false alarms while ensuring genuine threats don’t go unnoticed. Built-in deterrent features, such as lights and alerts, can discourage criminals before they act.

Whether monitoring after dark or through storm damage, our cameras are equipped with infrared technology to spot intruders in low- or no-light conditions. And with mobile surveillance units powered by solar panels and smart generators, you’re not dependent on the grid or Wi-Fi to stay secure. Built for durability, these units can withstand winds up to 60 miles per hour, giving you confidence that your security won’t be disrupted—even during severe weather.

You Don’t Have to Face Disaster Alone

When disaster strikes, protecting your business can feel overwhelming and isolating—but it doesn’t have to be that way. LVT’s AI security camera solutions are designed to support and safeguard your business and assets during your most vulnerable moments. They’re easy to deploy, quick to set up, and built to operate independently, giving you a reliable partner when you need it most.

Reach out to LVT to learn more about our AI surveillance cameras.