Are you prepared? We live in South Florida and each year must evaluate our readiness to endure the results of hurricanes which could arrive anytime between May 1st and November 1st. There are a number of approaches folks take when it comes to readiness and they are impacted by factors like
- Where you live (proximity to the Intracoastal and/or the Atlantic)
- Elevation
- Age of home
- Structure (have all “hurricane” building codes been implemented)
Some people consider these factors and leave South Florida for months choosing to spend their time in places where there is no hurricane risk. Others prepare completely with candles and bottled water, batteries and blue tarps at the ready should a storm strike.
Many, however, choose to wait until a named storm exists and is heading our way with a greater then 50% chance of striking at a higher than a Category 2. “Mandatory” evacuations will be issued. Government entities will broadcast stern warnings about likely service interruptions and no emergency services, like firefighters and ambulances. This is when the frenzy really begins. This past Autumn EVERYTHING closed (grocery stores, hardware stores, all businesses and offices) three or four days prior to the expected impact of Irma.
Just before everything closed for the storm, thousands of people decided that it would be good to “prepare”. The lines outside stores were filled with hundreds of people looking for bottled water, batteries and stable shelf items like peanut butter and protein bars waiting in heat around 100°F.
This time Irma did hit bringing strong winds, high tides and flooding. Fortunately, there was not a huge loss of life here in South Florida. Due to continuous updates on infrastructure, most people had their power back in a few days to a week. We see what happened to those less fortunate and less prepared in USVI, BVI and Puerto Rico.
Which type of preparer do you want to be? Often in business we don’t have those couple of days before the storm to shore up our preparations. Frequently, business “storms” happen without warning and without opportunity to prepare. We can help you and your team be ready to face adversity or growth!