Earlier this month, Hurricane Beryl ripped through Jamaica, the Yucatan Peninsula and up through southeast Texas, leaving causalities and millions without power in its wake.
Given the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Atlantic 2024 hurricane season predictions, hurricanes of this caliber will continue to wreak havoc as the warmer-than-average ocean temperatures drive an above-normal hurricane season. The NOAA predicts 17-25 total named storms with 8-13 becoming hurricanes and 4-7 becoming major hurricanes. As such, salon and spa owners operating in impacted areas should prepare their businesses to weather the storm.
Preparation is key
Though forecasting the severity and damage these storms will cause is difficult to predict, salon and spa owners can take proactive steps to limit damage and withstand the elements. Take note of the following considerations to safeguard your beauty business in the event of a hurricane:
- Plan: Long before a storm hits, salon and spa owners can develop a disaster preparedness plan that will help guide employees and inform actions in the case of a hurricane. It is crucial to act quickly during a disaster and having a plan can save lives and mitigate damage. Plans should include evacuation procedures, employee expectations, communications protocols and more.
- Secure the premises: While some storms require people to evacuate with haste, salon and spa owners should avoid leaving any items outdoors or near windows to avoid damage should they get picked up by wind. Alternatively, if salon and spa owners know that a storm is coming, they can prepare by strapping down any loose items, such as furniture, and boarding up windows.
- Safety first: To maintain the safety of employees and clients alike, salon and spa owners should stay apprised of any potential storms headed their way and take the correct precautions as early as possible. Keeping up with weather alerts through local news stations or the NOAA’s National Weather Radio can help salon and spa owners know when they should initiate their plans or evacuate if necessary.
Insurance considerations
Good insurance coverage can be invaluable after a destructive hurricane, helping those salon and spa owners who experienced damage stay in business. That value, however, is only created when anticipating and planning for a potential loss before that loss is realized. Salon and spa owners should consider enlisting the help of an insurance specialist who understands the salon and spa niche to help ensure their business is adequately covered, identify risks, build a disaster preparedness plan and more. For example, many carriers exclude damage from wind in their Commercial Property policies and are prompting property owners to purchase separate wind protection policies as add-ons. An agent or broker can advise you if your carrier requires separate wind protection coverage.
This hurricane season could continue with a vengeance and salon and spa owners should take proactive steps to protect their businesses and keep their teams safe. Take a moment to connect with an insurance professional to review your businesses’ disaster preparedness plan and insurance portfolio today.
Kathy Lopez, Account Manager for SASSI, the Salon and Spa Specialty Insurance program at Brownyard Group. She can be reached at klopez@brownyard.com.
