Respond to natural disasters

Natural disasters can impact your business without warning and in unexpected ways. If you are not currently dealing with a natural disaster, now is the time to develop your plans.

Plan your response to a disaster

Responding to events in a carefully planned way, as quickly as possible, ensures you and your staff remain safe and your business can take necessary steps to manage the event, recover and rebuild as efficiently as possible.

Responding to a disaster includes:

• monitoring emergency alerts
• post-disaster viability
• insurance considerations
• cleaning up and rebuilding.

Ensure you update your business continuity plan to include response actions.

Refer to your existing business continuity plan or use our template to help you develop a plan now.

Actions in response to a natural disaster

Depending on your industry, specific actions you may need to take will vary, but all initial responses will include:

• ensuring the well-being and safety of yourself, staff, contractors and customers
• assessing the impact on your business
• contacting your insurer and bank
• communication with authorities, advisers and stakeholders.

You can find specific industry information about natural disasters and emergencies on the Small business disaster hub, including:

• primary producers
• tourism and hospitality
• retail
• transport and logistics
• construction
• other small businesses.

Types of natural disasters

Read about how to prepare, respond, recover and communicate for these types of natural disasters:

• cyclone and storm surge
• severe storm
• flood
• bushfire
• drought.

Insurance considerations after a natural disaster

After a natural disaster, contact your insurer before you begin any clean-ups or repairs.

Your policy may be voided if you undertake work without the required assessments. An insurance assessor may also need to inspect your property before you begin cleaning.

Your insurance company may also ask you to record any damage to your business.

If it is safe to do so, record or photograph damage to your:

• premises
• fixtures
• vehicles
• stock
• customer records
• equipment.

Check your policy carefully as you may need to take steps to protect your property and minimise loss—for example, placing a tarp over a broken roof or moving undamaged items to a safe and secure place.

While not all natural disasters (e.g. flood) may be covered by your insurance policy, it is still wise to have business continuity insurance that will allow you to resume trading as quickly as possible.

Insurance Council of Australia

Visit the Insurance Council of Australia or contact their disaster hotline on 1800 734 621 to:

• ask questions about your insurance policy
• find out who your insurer is.

Legal Aid Queensland

Legal Aid Queensland can give you information and advice on getting an insurance claim paid after a natural disaster.

Read their guide to getting an insurance claim paid or the insurance claim factsheet (PDF, 206KB).

Australian Financial Complaints Authority

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) offer a free service for support in resolving disputes between small businesses and participating insurance companies.

Tips for cleaning up after a natural disaster

Cleaning up after a natural disaster can feel daunting, but you are not alone. Once the area is declared safe, emergency workers, staff and volunteers can assist, and the clean-up can be conducted rapidly.

Some tips on staying safe during a clean-up include:

• making sure food is safe to eat—it may be contaminated
• boiling water before consumption (if water supply has been contaminated)
• wearing protective clothing including long sleeves and pants, gloves and protective shoes
• using insect protection, especially from mosquitoes that can spread disease
• using ladders safely
• working with others rather than alone
• ensuring undamaged stock is in a secure location to minimise theft
• contacting emergency services, council, and support organisations for guidance and support.

If you sell food, contact your local council to find out if you will require an environmental health inspection before you begin trading again.

Find out more about managing physical health and wellbeing during a clean-up.

Utility and service reconnections

Power, water, gas, internet services, and other services may take time to reconnect.

When reconnecting services:

• always use a licensed electrician or tradesperson
• do not attempt any reconnections yourself unless instructed to do so by emergency services
• do not remove or try to repair gas pipework or related appliances and equipment during the clean-up process.

Also consider...

• Find help to recover from a natural disaster.
• Learn more about preparing for a natural disaster.