Protecting Employees From the Worst of Natural Disasters

In October, 2024, two hurricanes led to devastation across the United States. Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton caused almost 250 deaths and almost $200b in economic losses as some of the most severe storms in US history.

As climate-related events like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes become more frequent and severe, companies must consider the well-being and safety of their employees living in high-risk areas. Human Resource and Risk leaders play a crucial role in helping employees prepare for, respond to, and recover from these disasters. Here are five proactive measures your company can take to protect your employees and ensure business continuity in times of crisis.

1. Real-Time Disaster Alerts via Email

In many cases, employees might be so focused on work that they miss critical news about impending climate risks. To ensure your workforce stays informed, companies can set up real-time disaster alerts that are sent directly to employees via email or internal messaging systems. These alerts can provide early warnings about wildfires, floods, hurricanes, or other disasters in their area, allowing employees to take appropriate action.

For HR and risk leaders, integrating local emergency data with your company’s communication platform ensures that employees stay informed without having to actively seek out this information. This approach can be especially valuable for employees who might not closely follow local news but are diligent in checking work emails.

2. Home Insurance Evaluations for Employees

Understanding whether employees have adequate insurance coverage for climate-related disasters is critical. Many people are unaware if their home insurance policies provide enough protection for risks like floods or wildfires, leaving them vulnerable to significant financial loss.

As a company, you can offer insurance evaluations to help employees assess their current policies. By partnering with insurance advisors or utilizing a climate risk platform, you can provide personalized recommendations to employees, helping them identify coverage gaps and explore options for better protection. This not only shows your company cares about their well-being but also helps employees prepare for potential disaster recovery.

3. Company-Sponsored Evacuation Policies

When a natural disaster is imminent, employees should feel confident that they can protect their families without worrying about financial implications. Companies can establish evacuation policies that allow employees in high-risk areas to evacuate early and expense related costs up to a certain amount.

This policy ensures employees can make critical decisions to safeguard their families without hesitation. Providing guidance on how and when to evacuate, and setting clear expense guidelines for lodging, transportation, and essential supplies, will give employees the peace of mind they need during a crisis.

4. Support Critical Employees with Backup Power Solutions

During disasters, power outages can disrupt business operations and endanger employees’ safety. For executives or key employees in high-risk areas, providing backup power solutions, such as Starlink satellite internet devices or generators, ensures they can maintain communications, stay safe, and keep essential operations running.

This type of support goes beyond productivity—it’s a commitment to employee safety and well-being. By equipping critical personnel with the tools to stay connected, companies can maintain business continuity while also ensuring that key staff have access to emergency resources when traditional infrastructure is compromised.

5. Emergency Preparedness Kits and Trainings

Preparedness is key to reducing the risks associated with climate disasters. HR and risk teams can proactively offer emergency prep kits tailored to employees' geographic risks, along with disaster preparedness training. These kits could include items like first aid supplies, non-perishable food, flashlights, and other essentials.

Providing disaster preparedness training sessions—both in-person and virtual—can help employees feel more confident and informed about how to respond to emergencies. Training topics could cover creating family evacuation plans, securing homes against disasters, and understanding local emergency procedures.

—

By implementing these strategies, HR and risk leaders can create a safer, more resilient workforce that is better equipped to navigate the challenges of climate-related disasters. Proactive support not only protects employees but also strengthens the trust and loyalty they feel toward the company, knowing that their employer is prioritizing their safety and well-being.