OPINION/EDITORIAL
September 22, 2026.
A Practical Survival Guide for Small Business Owners
by Annie Spilman ( Regional Administrator – South Central Region)
When a natural disaster sweeps across a community, the immediate focus is always on safety and survival. But once the sky clears, independent business owners often face a secondary, daunting crisis: simply keeping their doors open. For our local “mom-and-pop” shops, employees are like family. However, operating on thin margins means a single severe weather event can paralyze payroll and operations. The reality is sobering: 25% of small businesses never reopen after a major disaster.
At the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), we know that waiting until a disaster hits create a compliance nightmare. True resilience requires proactive preparation. By taking action today, job creators can protect their livelihoods and ensure their businesses bounce back stronger.
1. Pinpoint Your Local Hazards
Assess your specific geographic risks, whether tornadoes, flash flooding, or winter storms. Identifying these threats early allows you to prioritize protecting your most vital inventory, machinery, and physical assets.
2. Safeguard Your Supply Chain and Records
To prevent an operational shutdown, secure backup suppliers in different geographic areas. Additionally, create a cloud-stored digital “go-bag” containing your Government ID, Business EIN, tax returns, insurance policies, and financial records. Maintaining a digital inventory of high-value property will also streamline future claims.
3. Turn Emergency Plans into Muscle Memory
An emergency plan in a binder is not enough. Conduct regular evacuation and communication drills with your staff and family until response protocols become second nature. Replacing confusion with practiced execution provides peace of mind when chaos strikes.
We cannot stop the weather, but we can protect our local employees from it. Acting takes less than ten minutes. Don’t wait for the next storm—access the SBA Business Resilience Guide at www.sba.gov/prepare or call our Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 7-1-1) today.
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