The Far-Reaching Impact of Ice Storms: How to Prepare Your Small Business for the Worst

Ice storms can be deceptive in their beauty, coating trees and landscapes with a dazzling glaze, but their destructive power can be devastating, especially for small businesses. From immediate hazards to long-term logistical disruptions, ice storms have a far-reaching impact that businesses must prepare for. In this post, we’ll explore the consequences of ice storms, share key lessons from notable ice storms over the past few decades, and offer 10 top recommendations to help your business weather these severe winter events.

Immediate Risks of Ice Storms

The immediate risks associated with ice storms are numerous and can cause significant harm to businesses, employees, and operations:

1. Power Outages: The weight of ice on power lines often causes widespread outages, leaving businesses without electricity for hours or even days.
2. Structural Damage: Ice can accumulate on rooftops, trees, and signage, causing collapse or dangerous debris as limbs and materials break under the weight.
3. Hazardous Roads: Icy roads lead to accidents and transportation shutdowns, impacting employee safety and business logistics.
4. Slip and Fall Accidents: Parking lots and walkways become treacherous, increasing the risk of injuries to employees or customers, which can lead to liability claims.

Logistical Issues During and After Ice Storms

An ice storm doesn’t just cause immediate damage—it can disrupt business operations in several ways:

• Supply Chain Disruptions: Icy roads and impassable routes delay shipments, impacting inventory, deliveries, and production.
• Employee Absenteeism: Icy conditions may prevent employees from safely reaching the workplace, forcing businesses to operate with minimal staff or close entirely.
• Communication Breakdowns: Power outages can knock out communication systems, leaving businesses unable to contact suppliers, customers, or employees, especially if internet-based phone systems or cloud-based services go down.
• Service Outages: Beyond power, ice storms can affect water, heating, and internet services, crippling day-to-day operations.

Long-Term Effects of Ice Storms on Small Businesses

While many think of ice storms as short-term events, their impacts often linger, particularly for small businesses. Here are some of the long-term consequences that can derail recovery:

• Extended Power Outages: Depending on the severity, power outages can last for days or even weeks, as seen in the devastating ice storms of the past.
• Financial Losses: Business closures, lost revenue, and recovery costs from damage can take a heavy toll. In some cases, businesses never fully recover.
• Insurance Claims and Rebuilding: Filing insurance claims and making repairs can take time, especially if resources are limited or contractors are in high demand post-storm.
• Customer Loss: If operations are shut down or delayed for too long, customers may turn to competitors, leading to long-term loss of business.

Notable Ice Storms and Lessons Learned

Looking back at some of the most damaging ice storms offers key insights into how businesses can better prepare for future events:

• The 1998 North American Ice Storm: One of the most devastating ice storms in modern history, this storm impacted parts of Canada and the Northeastern U.S., leaving 4 million people without power for weeks. The region learned the importance of emergency power solutions and clear disaster recovery plans.
• The 2013 Southern Ontario Ice Storm: This storm caused widespread power outages, fallen trees, and transportation shutdowns, teaching many the importance of communication preparedness and protecting key infrastructure.
• The 2021 Texas Ice Storm: A stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in infrastructure, this storm saw entire cities without power, heat, and water for extended periods. Small businesses were forced to close for weeks, leading to significant financial losses. This event emphasized the importance of preparedness even in regions not accustomed to harsh winter conditions.

Top 10 Recommendations for Preparing Your Business for an Ice Storm

To minimize the impact of ice storms on your small business, follow these 10 recommendations to stay prepared before, during, and after the storm:

1. Invest in a Backup Power Source: Ensure your business has access to generators or alternative power solutions to keep essential systems running during outages.
2. Create a Communication Plan: Develop a system to keep in touch with employees, suppliers, and customers during power outages or disrupted services. Ensure that all team members know how to use this system and test it regularly.
3. Maintain Adequate Insurance Coverage: Review your property, liability, and business interruption insurance policies to ensure they cover damages related to ice storms, including structural repairs and lost income.
4. Stockpile Essential Supplies: Keep a stock of emergency supplies, including ice melt, sand, shovels, and first aid kits, to protect your property and ensure the safety of employees and customers.
5. Regularly Trim Trees: Clear overhanging branches that could snap under the weight of ice and cause damage to your building or power lines.
6. Reinforce Roofs and Structures: Ensure that roofs are inspected and reinforced to handle heavy ice loads, especially if your business is located in an area prone to ice storms.
7. Establish Remote Work Capabilities: If an ice storm makes it unsafe to travel, having remote work options will allow your business to keep running, even when the office is closed.
8. Protect Critical Equipment: Move sensitive equipment away from windows and ensure they are powered down during outages to avoid damage from power surges when electricity is restored.
9. Plan for Business Continuity: Create and regularly update a business continuity plan that outlines how you will maintain or resume operations during and after an ice storm. Include strategies for supply chain disruptions, customer communication, and financial recovery.
10. Run Regular Emergency Drills: Just as important as having a plan is ensuring that your team knows how to execute it. Hold regular drills to practice your ice storm preparedness strategy, including power outages and remote work scenarios.

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Going Forward…

Ice storms can wreak havoc on small businesses, but with the right preparation, you can mitigate their impact and whether it’s securing backup power, having a solid communication plan, or maintaining insurance coverage, being proactive is key to weathering the storm. Learn from past events, implement these strategies, and stay prepared—because when the next ice storm hits, your business can be ready to keep going.

We are now booking for our January 17-19, 2025 program! This class is a three-day program that helps you to build your emergency plan, customized to your industry and business operations. The instructor lead, live class includes your first exercise of four for the year and the cost of the other three are included in the initial cost of the program. This program is booked by individual business owners and we limit participation to 20 students per class so don’t wait as classes fill up fast once the dates are released! Navigate over to our Courses Page and click on the virtual program detail to register!

If you’re looking for more personalized advice on emergency planning for your small business, reach out to us at Fortitude Emergency Management Inc., and let’s build a plan tailored to your needs.

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