Reflecting the scale of today’s storms, the Small Business Administration approved more than $350 million in disaster loans to North Carolina businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters affected by Hurricane Helene—a figure that highlights the vast destruction and need to boost resilience against future storms.

As small businesses in North Carolina prepare for the remainder of hurricane season and beyond, it’s important to consider what steps should be taken in advance of the possibility of severe weather. With natural disasters no longer rare, a proactive strategy isn’t just smart, it’s essential.

Here are a few considerations to help ensure your business and assets are protected.

Stocking up on supplies and cash

Stocking up on essentials before a storm will help ensure employee safety while minimizing damages and maintaining business continuity. While needed supplies will vary from business to business, a good place to start is a well-stocked first aid kit; a three-day supply of drinking water and non-perishable food items; lighting including flashlights, lanterns and extra batteries; and a backup generator with fuel.

Cash is also king when it comes to an impending unexpected weather event. Small business owners should stock up on cash in order to serve customers when payment networks are down. The amount of money needed will vary from business to business and also depend on the industry and how essential operations will be after the storm. If possible, take out more cash than you expect to need.

In addition to payment exchanges with customers, cash will come in handy to pay contractors to cut down loose tree limbs or pay for other unforeseen damages. You can always redeposit money after the storm.

Storing and documenting your assets

It’s important to take stock of critical documents when planning for a severe weather event. Ensure legal, financial, HR, employee, and operational documents are backed up to the cloud or another location, in addition to placing documents in a fire-safe container and storing it in a high spot, away from potentially accumulating water.

As you secure your windows and doors, take videos of your belongings. By documenting exactly what you had before the storm, you will know what’s missing and what needs replacement or repair. Make sure you film both the inside and outside of your property.

Insurance coverage varies from state to state. The most important thing to remember is to do your research. Find out what coverage you already have and look into various options. Understand what your policy covers and what you need to do if you are eligible to make a claim for lost or damaged property.

During and after the storm

Stay connected with your city, county, and state as well as the National Weather Service. It’s important to find out where local evacuation sites are located and map out several routes in case roads become closed.

Once the storm is over, be cautious when first assessing any damage to your business. Keep an eye out for downed wires or loose branches. If there’s roof damage, cover the area with a tarp as soon as it’s safe to do so.

If there is moderate to significant damage to your business, contact your insurance company right away to file a claim. Many banks offer assistance or payment waivers to customers following a hurricane or other natural disaster depending on the severity of the storm and community needs, so be sure to communicate with your financial institution.

As weather events become more severe and frequent, small businesses must recognize that weather preparedness is no longer optional—it’s a critical component of long-term resilience. By investing time in preparation, business owners can not only safeguard their operations against the next storm but also position themselves to recover faster and emerge stronger.