This past winter, blizzards, bomb cyclones, bombogenesis and other severe winter weather caused major damage and disruption to the U.S. economy. Businesses large and small in industries ranging from airlines to retail to government felt the unforgiving impact of these storms. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average cost of damage from a winter storm is $3 billion, inclusive of business interruptions. And with no control over Mother Nature, organizations are left to figure out how they can best minimize damage from adverse weather.
The trick is to stay ahead of the game and lay out a clear preparedness and responsiveness plan for your organization to follow. Living in the Northeast, we have a lot of first-hand experience preparing for severe weather. Here is our step-by-step guide to preparation and response when winter weather strikes: