Protect Your Business. Prepare for the Unexpected.
What This Helps You Do
Disasters don’t just disrupt operations — they can determine whether a business recovers or closes.
This page is designed to help you:
- Protect the most critical parts of your business
- Prepare for interruptions before they happen
- Recover more quickly after an event
- Maintain operations when it matters most
Why Disaster Preparedness Matters
- Disasters can happen at any time — from hurricanes and flooding to power outages and unexpected disruptions.
- Research shows that nearly 40% of businesses that close after a disaster never reopen. In many cases, the difference is not the event itself, but whether a plan was in place.
- Preparation helps reduce downtime, protect your assets and provide a clearer path forward during challenging situations.
Start with a “Records-To-Go” Box
One of the simplest and most effective steps you can take is creating a “Records-To-Go” box — a secure, fire- and water-resistant container that holds the essential business documents.
Having these items in one place allows you to act quickly, communicate effectively and maintain continuity when access to your business is limited.
Suggested Records Include:
- Business continuity and disaster recovery plan
- Emergency contact list (employees, customers, vendors)
- Insurance policies and agent information
- Supplier and vendor contacts
- Backup systems and data files
- Bank and financial records
Additional Resources
Prepared businesses recover faster, minimize losses and protect their employees, customers and communities.
Explore these tools to take the next step:
- Hurricane Preparedness Checklist - Developed by Agility Recovery in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), this checklist guides businesses before, during and after a storm.
- Get a Gameplan - Emergency planning tools from the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to help you build a personalized plan.
How LSBDC Can Help
LSBDC provides no-cost consulting and training to help you prepare for disruptions in a way that suits your business.
We can help you:
- Identify risks specific to your operations and location
- Develop a business continuity plan you can rely on
- Strengthen your ability to operate during disruptions
- Prepare for both natural and man-made events
- We also offer workshops and training, both online and in person, to help you plan and respond effectively.
Take the Next Step
Preparing ahead of time can make all the difference when a disruption occurs.