Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses in Charlotte County


June 30th, 2025

Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses in Charlotte County

Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses in Charlotte County

Hurricane season can make or break local businesses. Charlotte County sits in a high-risk zone, and if you’re not ready, disruption can ripple through your operation—from employee displacement to property damage. But guess what? You can change that story. The key is being ready in advance.

Watch Webinar Here: https://youtu.be/lrdOB7P7Kos

Download Presentation here:  Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses in Charlotte County

Why Businesses Must Get Ready for Storm Season

Why prepare now? It’s simple:

  • Protect your assets. You can’t operate if your building floods or power is out.

  • Support your employees. When staff feel secure, you hold your team together.

  • Preserve your brand. Customers remember who helps and who shuts down during a crisis.

A storm hits fast. Yet resilience comes from early action. Let’s dive into how you can start today.

Highlights from June 26 Webinar

On June 26, our virtual seminar brought local leaders and statewide experts together via Microsoft Teams. The recording is available below. Here’s a snapshot:

Speaker Lineup & Partner Roles

  • Kay Tracy, Charlotte County Economic Development

  • Kristy Sisler, Business Recruitment Manager

  • Bob White (Chamber of Commerce) & others from Englewood & Punta Gorda

  • Dorian Zwierewicz, Florida SBDC at FGCU

  • Kimberley Perry & Steven Wood, FloridaCommerce ESF 18

  • Bill Welch, CareerSource SWFL

  • Team from United Way Charlotte County

Each brought unique insight—from logistics to workforce continuity and community support.

Key Takeaways and Action Items

  1. Storm maps matter. Know your flood zones and potential surge risks.

  2. Insurance audit. Review property, flood, and interruption coverage.

  3. Data backup. Duplicate your records off-site or in the cloud.

  4. Communication plan. Use group texts or emergency alert services.

  5. Recovery checklist. Identify critical operations for fast restart.

Missed it? No worries—watch the full recording down below.

Protecting Business Assets: Before, During & After

A smart plan covers all phases:

Before the Storm

  • Conduct a risk assessment of facilities.

  • Trim trees and secure outdoor equipment.

  • Build an emergency kit with generators, fuel, water, tools.

During the Storm

  • Keep communication lines open with staff and agencies.

  • Activate your continuity plan; reduce power usage.

  • Monitor updates from Charlotte County Emergency Management.

After the Storm

  • Inspect damage before reentry.

  • Share updates with staff and customers.

  • Connect to rebuilding aid and hotlines.

🔧 Quick checklist:

  • Risk assessment? ✔️

  • Alerts signed up? ✔️

  • Employee contact list ready? ✔️

  • Insurance info backed? ✔️

How Charlotte County Emergency Management Supports Businesses

The county’s team keeps us safe with:

  • 24/7 alert system via AlertCharlotte

  • Evacuation notifications by zone

  • Bridge and road closure updates

  • Pre-storm communication with local partners

Call them any time at 941‑833‑4000 or email Emergency.Management@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

State & Federal Resources for Business Resilience

Florida SBDC at FGCU Programs

Dorian Zwierewicz shared essential services:

  • Emergency Bridge Loans – short-term, zero interest

  • SBA Physical Disaster Loans – property repair and inventory

  • SBA EIDL – cash flow assistance post-impact

They offer ongoing guidance, from planning to recovery. Schedule a free consult at FSBDCSWFL.org (external link).

FloridaCommerce ESF 18 Outreach

Through ESF 18, FloridaCommerce:

  • Sends business-earned alerts

  • Helps industry groups track regulations

  • Gives fuel, transportation, re-entry advice

Bookmark FloridaDisaster.biz for toolkits, road signs, and updates.

Community Recovery: United Way & CareerSource SWFL

United Way of Charlotte County

After a storm, they provide:

  • Gift cards for essentials

  • Case management for worker families

  • Work-focused help with “United at Work”

They’re the boots-on-the-ground support.

CareerSource Southwest Florida

Bill Welch outlined their services:

  • Disaster unemployment aid

  • On-the-job training & job fairs

  • Hiring grant assistance

Need help hiring back staff? They’ve got your back. Contact them via CareerSource Southwest Florida.

Watch the June 26 Webinar Replay

🎥 Watch our full seminar here:
https://youtu.be/lrdOB7P7Kos

The replay walks you through planning tools, state programs, and how to stay connected during an emergency.

📥 Presentation slides: Download PDF

FAQs: Business Hurricane Prep

How do I sign up for disaster alerts?
Register at AlertCharlotte via the county website.

What insurance coverage is essential?
Get commercial property, flood, and interruption coverage.

Where to apply for Emergency Bridge Loans?
Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL when active.

Are nonprofits eligible for SBA loans?
Yes—both physical and economic injury loans apply.

Can CareerSource help with reemployment?
Absolutely—they offer job fairs and training post-storm.

How do I build a continuity plan?
Start with templates from Ready.gov/business or connect with SBDC.

Conclusion: Prepared Together, Stronger Together

Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses in Charlotte County isn’t just a phrase—it’s a priority. From local alerts to state programs and community support, the resources are here. All that’s left? Take action.

  • Update your plan

  • Educate your team

  • Keep disaster resources handy

  • Reach out for help when you need it

Together, we’ll make Charlotte County a model of business resilience.

Sources & Links

  • Ready.gov/business (external link)

  • FSBDCSWFL.org

  • FloridaDisaster.biz

  • CareerSource Southwest Florida