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Hernando Today

Businesses Need To Be Ready For Storms

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By TONY HOLT

Published: May 25, 2008

SPRING HILL - If a hurricane pummels a community bustling with small businesses, those companies had better have a back-up plan ready.

The local economy depends on it, said Emergency Management Interim Director Mark Tobert.

"It's critical for businesses to recover quickly after a storm," he said. "If business doesn't recover, Hernando County doesn't recover."

In preparation for Hurricane Preparedness Week — which runs from Sunday, May 25, through Saturday, May 31 — Tobert's department is offering planning guidelines to local companies the same way it always has for homeowners.

The major steps include evacuation, communication and recovery.

"How are companies going evacuate, where will they go and how will they communicate after the storm?" Tobert said. "Will their properties be insured in case of storm damage?"

Business owners are encouraged to review their insurance policies and make sure their property is covered in case of a flood or hurricane, he said.

The American Red Cross released a Personal Workplace Disaster Supplies Kit. The list includes the typical storm-related supplies — flashlights with extra batteries, radio, food, water and tools.

AT&T also releases an annual hurricane tips list for businesses.

Every office should have one landline phone, which are best-suited for 911 emergencies.

Call-forwarding systems should be set up in preparation for a hurricane and a crisis-management team also needs to be in place, according to AT&T's Web site.

More helpful tips can be found at www.att.com/vitalconnections.

All computers should have their proper back-ups. Those disks should remain off-site and in a water-proof location, Tobert said.

For more information, visit www.hernandocounty.us/em.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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