Business Continuity Planning for Hurricanes 2025

Hurricanes are a recurring threat for businesses in Puerto Rico and across the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts. Without a business continuity plan for hurricanes, companies face high risk of downtime, asset loss, and disrupted operations.

In today’s climate, every organization—whether retail, industrial, or service-based—must develop a clear hurricane preparedness and disaster recovery plan to ensure business continuity, protect employees, and reduce long-term financial damage.

In this article, we’ll cover best practices and a step-by-step strategy for building a hurricane-specific business continuity plan, with local insight into the unique challenges and solutions for businesses in Puerto Rico.

Why Business Continuity Planning for Hurricanes Matters

Every year, hurricanes cause billions in losses to U.S. businesses.

Puerto Rico, still recovering from storms like Maria and Fiona, faces extended power outages, water shortages, and infrastructure disruptions that can last for weeks.

According to FEMA, about 25% of businesses do not reopen after disasters [7]. Without a formal plan, most businesses can’t operate for more than 10 days after a major disruption [6].

A hurricane-focused BCP ensures your business can protect critical operations, recover faster, and minimize financial losses.

Step-by-Step: Building a Hurricane Business Continuity Plan

Risk Assessment – Identify storm-related threats: flooding, outages, wind damage, supply chain delays.
Business Impact Analysis – Determine how long each function can be paused before it causes critical loss.
Emergency Preparedness Protocols – Prepare kits, assign roles, and define evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures.
Backup Power and Utilities – Install and maintain backup generators, water tanks, and fuel supplies. Test systems yearly.
Communication Plan – Use email, SMS, and radios to coordinate employees, vendors, and clients.
Data Protection and Technology – Secure data in cloud backups and off-site servers to prevent loss.
Alternative Worksites – Arrange for remote work or relocation options in case your main site is inaccessible.
Insurance and Financial Recovery – Review policies for business interruption and flood protection. Document assets with photos [7].
Training and Drills – Run drills and refresh staff on their roles at least once a year.

Hurricane Continuity Challenges in Puerto Rico

Infrastructure Fragility – Power grids and transport routes are vulnerable. Backup systems are essential.
Supply Chain Disruptions – Delayed imports and limited port access require stockpiling and local supplier alternatives [6].
Longer Recovery Timelines – Repairs and staffing take longer. Continuity plans should include extended recovery scenarios.
Communication Infrastructure Limits – Cellular networks and broadband may be down for days. Satellite phones and radio systems offer redundancy.

Tools and Checklists

Hurricane Continuity Essentials Checklist:

Risk assessment completed and documented
BIA report updated
Backup generator and fuel on-site
Emergency contact tree and SMS system
Off-site or cloud data backups
Insurance reviewed and updated
Evacuation and shelter-in-place plans
Staff assigned continuity roles
Vendor and supplier contingency plans
Staff training completed within last 12 months

These continuity tools help minimize downtime, support resilient infrastructure, and ensure critical operations are protected from hurricane-related disruption.

Resilient Infrastructure Solutions

DEV Builders Group supports hurricane preparedness with construction solutions that promote continuity of operations. Our services include:

Site elevation and flood mitigation
Reinforced roofing and glazing systems
Generator installation and diesel service [4]
Water hauling and storage support [2]
Facility maintenance to protect mechanical systems [3]

These upgrades help mitigate storm damage and reduce business downtime.

Contact DEV Builders Group today to discuss how we can help your facilities be better prepared for hurricane season.

1. What is a business continuity plan for hurricanes?
A documented strategy for protecting critical functions, assets, and people before, during, and after a hurricane.
2. How do I start building a hurricane continuity plan for my business?
Start with a risk assessment and business impact analysis, then prepare backups, communication protocols, and staff training.
3. What are some critical components for hurricane business continuity in Puerto Rico?
Backup power systems
Cloud backups and off-site data storage
Vendor contingencies
Trained staff
Fuel and water reserves
4. How often should I update and test my hurricane continuity plan?
At least annually, or after any operational change or disaster.
5. What kind of insurance helps during hurricanes?
Business interruption insurance, flood coverage, and contents protection.
6. Should small businesses create a hurricane continuity plan too?
Yes. Small businesses are especially vulnerable to disruptions and should prepare accordingly.
7. Does DEV Builders Group help with continuity planning?
We build and maintain hurricane-resilient structures that support business continuity but do not develop complete BCP documentation.
8. What’s a good hurricane evacuation plan for business operations?
Assign staff responsibilities, protect assets, identify exit routes, and document procedures in your BCP.
9. How do I protect digital assets and cloud infrastructure from hurricane outages?
Use secure cloud providers, data redundancy, and off-site storage. Test failover protocols regularly.

Sources

https://www.devbuilders.com/insights/hurricane-preparedness-guide-puerto-rico
https://www.devbuilders.com/services/water-hauling-puerto-rico
https://www.devbuilders.com/news-insights
https://www.devbuilders.com/insights/dev-builders-diesel-generator-services-puerto-rico
https://www.investpr.org/business-continuity/
https://www.nist.gov/blogs/manufacturing-innovation-blog/business-continuity-plans-lessons-learned-puerto-rico
https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250121/stay-business-after-disaster-planning-ahead