California’s Spring Surprise: Is Your Business Ready for a Flood? 

Spring in California brings new growth—but it also brings heavy rains and increased flood risks. For small businesses, even a few inches of floodwater can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage, disrupt operations, and threaten long-term business survival. This March, as part of FEMA’s “It’s Not Luck” campaign, Outsmart Disaster urges small business owners to take proactive steps to protect their livelihoods. 

Why Small Businesses Must Prepare for Flooding 
Small businesses often operate on tight margins, making disaster recovery challenging. Many struggle to reopen after a major flood. Whether your business is in a high-risk flood zone or not, intense storms, overflowing storm drains, and flash floods can strike unexpectedly. The good news? Preparedness can significantly reduce financial loss and downtime. 

5 Steps to Flood-Proof Your Business 

Stay Informed – Sign up for emergency alerts at CalAlerts.org to receive real-time updates on flood risks in your area. 

Review Your Insurance Coverage – Standard business insurance does not cover flood damage. Consider a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy to protect your assets. 

Protect Important Business Assets – Elevate critical equipment, store inventory off the ground, and secure essential documents in waterproof, digital backups. 

Plan for Business Continuity – Develop a plan to keep operations running in case of temporary closure, including remote work options and alternate suppliers. 

Prepare an Emergency Response Plan – Train employees on evacuation procedures, establish communication plans, and create a disaster supply kit for your workplace. 

Resilience Is Not Luck—It’s a Plan 

Recovering from a flood takes time, resources, and strategy. By taking action today, you can protect your business, employees, and customers from devastating losses. Outsmart Disaster’s Resiliency Roadmap provides free tools to help small businesses prepare for and recover from disasters. 

Download the Resiliency Roadmap and join our monthly Outsmart Disaster Training, where we guide you step by step through building your business preparedness plan. 

Don’t leave your business’s future to luck—Outsmart Disaster and prepare today! 

March 2025