Hurricane Season Is Here: 3 Ways to Protect Your Business from Extended Outages
When Hurricane Helene rolled through last September, it left a lot of people shaken. Some businesses were without power for days, and I couldn’t help but think about the owners trying to keep food from spoiling, employees paid, and customers from drifting away (my own place of work was impacted by these very things at the time). If you’ve ever been through something like that, you know it’s not just about waiting for the lights to come back on, it’s about survival. I used to think hurricanes were mostly a problem for coastal states like Florida, but now we’re seeing more and more areas once considered ‘safe havens’ being hit as well. If there’s one thing almost every hurricane brings, it’s widespread power outages.
Hurricane season always comes with a mix of “hope for the best” and “prepare for the worst.” And while you can’t control the path of a storm, you can take steps now to make sure your business is in the best possible position to recover quickly if the power goes out.
Here are three smart steps you can take today:
1. Protect Your Cash Flow Before You Need It
Insurance is important, but let’s be honest, it doesn’t solve the immediate problem when the power is out for a week and bills are still coming in. Filing claims, waiting for adjusters, and wondering when (or if) you’ll get paid just adds stress on top of an already stressful situation.
That’s exactly why we created Centinel’s PowerProtect™ membership. If your business experiences a qualified outage of 72+ hours, you get your payment right away. No forms. No waiting. Just money in your account when you need it most. It’s simple, and it gives you one less thing to worry about when everything else feels out of your control.
2. Put a Simple Plan on Paper
A lot of business owners keep their “what if” plans in their heads—but when the storm hits, that’s when things get fuzzy. Having a short, written plan makes all the difference. Ask yourself:
What are the absolute essentials I need to keep running?
How will I reach employees and customers if phones and internet are down?
Who can I lean on for backup if my main supplier or vendor is unavailable?
You don’t need a fancy binder, just something clear and simple that your team can follow if you’re not there to explain.
3. Invest in Backup for the Things That Matter Most
Not every business can afford a giant generator that keeps everything humming. But even small investments, like a backup fridge for perishables, portable chargers, or a hotspot for the internet, can be game-changers. Think about what would hurt the most to lose and start there.
And when you pair those practical steps with Centinel’s financial protection, you’ve got both the short-term fixes and the long-term safety net covered.
Final Thoughts
Storms will always come. Outages will always happen. But your business doesn’t have to be left in the dark. With a little planning, some smart backup investments, and the peace of mind that Centinel PowerProtect™ provides, you’ll be ready to open your doors again sooner, and with a lot less stress.
Because at the end of the day, protecting your business isn’t just about buildings or equipment. It’s about protecting your employees, your customers, and the future you’ve worked so hard to build.
👉 Let Centinel PowerProtect™ be your first line of defense. Check out our free ROI Calculator to see how much your business could be saving this hurricane season: https://yourcentinel.com/interrupted-utilities
