Six Tips for Prepping for a Natural Disaster While Away on Business

While many natural disasters and their impact are unpredictable, if you know you will be doing business in an area that is prone to natural disasters, here are a few ways you can prep for an emergency.

Watch for weather alerts at least a week before your trip

Meteorologists are usually able to predict natural disasters such as hurricanes and snowstorms up to a week or two in advance. Set weather alerts to your mobile device for the area you will be traveling to, so you have an idea of what to expect.

Provide someone you trust with your travel information

Whether it is family, friends, colleagues, or church members, someone from home should know where you are staying and how to get in contact with you. They should know your flight information and travel itinerary so they can reach you or have someone reach you if an emergency occurs.

Write down emergency contacts

Natural disasters tend to wipe out the power, leaving many people without mobile devices and internet. To avoid not being able to get in touch with people, take a notebook and write down the numbers of close family, friends, and colleague contacts. It may also be useful to include phone numbers for your hotel, who you plan to meet in the area you are visiting, and a local emergency relief center.

Learn where the nearest resource centers are

In the event of natural disasters and emergencies, many churches, shelters, centers, hospitals, and even schools become a haven for the general population. Learn where the closest facilities are to where you are staying, so you have a safe place to go if an emergency occurs.

Pack smart

If you are traveling to a place that holds the possibility of a natural disaster, it would be ideal to pack necessities that can help you, such as garments appropriate for rain or snow, batteries, non-perishable food items and snacks, water, a flashlight, portable charger, etc. Also, be sure to always have your license or state ID along with your insurance information.

Go over emergency evacuation tactics

Many emergency evacuation and guides for local areas can be found online. Become familiar with one or come up with your own for what to do if you find yourself in a natural disaster emergency. If you create your own, it may be a good idea to include your family and job in the planning process, so everyone is on the same page.