When disaster strikes, the impact can be devastating — especially for businesses that operate under tight deadlines, rely on physical assets, and maintain a reliable reputation.
Natural disasters can damage equipment extensively, disrupt upcoming events, and lead to financial challenges that test the resilience of any organization. Whether it’s a hurricane, flood, or earthquake, preparing for and responding to a natural disaster requires strategic planning and swift action.
In this article, we'll explore practical steps your company can take to handle a natural disaster, from immediate actions like assessing damage and communicating with clients to long-term strategies for rebuilding and preparing for the future.
Damage Assessment
As you begin assessing your inventory after a disaster, you’ll need to stay organized in Goodshuffle Pro. Here's how to efficiently track damaged items, update locations, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks during this critical time.
As you conduct a full assessment of your inventory in the coming days and weeks, update set-asides in Goodshuffle Pro to denote and track any damaged or destroyed items.
If any of your items need to move to a different location and you aren’t currently tracking location by Attribute in Goodshuffle Pro, be sure to use bulk editing to add a “location” attribute to your items to indicate their temporary or new location all at once.
If you are already tracking the 'location' attribute in Goodshuffle Pro, utilize Inline Editing to quickly and efficiently update the location of your items.
Clients and Contracts
If you have upcoming events that a natural disaster may impact, be sure to reach out to your clients to discuss potential delays or cancellations. Here are some helpful resources to help you take the next steps on your Projects:
Create a Custom Message Template and send it to all impacted clients to notify them that you are assessing each event. This gives them a proactive update and lets them know they can expect to hear from you about their event.
Logistics
If transportation routes are inaccessible for delivering and picking up equipment, Goodshuffle Pro’s map feature will automatically update to show the best route available.
Insurance and Financials
Look at your insurance policy or contact your insurance company to find out if your coverage includes natural disaster protection. Be sure to contact your insurer and keep track of the status of any claims.
Below is a list of additional financial resources or emergency funds you may have access to.
US Government Assistance Programs
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
FEMA (website) provides disaster assistance grants that can be used for recovery expenses such as rebuilding facilities and replacing equipment. They also offer low-interest loans for businesses through the SBA (Small Business Administration).
Small Business Administration (SBA):
The SBA (website) offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses to repair or replace property, equipment, and inventory damaged by the disaster. Their Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program may also be useful for covering operating costs during recovery.
United States Government
US State and Local Government Programs
Many US state and local governments have emergency assistance programs that provide grants or loans to businesses affected by natural disasters. Contact your state's economic development office or local chamber of commerce for details.
Insurance Claims
Contact your insurance provider to assess coverage and initiate claims. Document all damages with photos and written descriptions.
Industry-Specific Support
American Rental Association (ARA):
The ARA (website) provides resources specifically for rental businesses, including disaster recovery guides and connections with other rental companies that may be able to provide inventory support.
Other Local Companies
Network with other rental companies. Some competitors might be willing to lend or rent equipment temporarily to help you fulfill client obligations.
Not sure who is in your area? Use the Goodshuffle Marketplace to find vendors near you.