The hours after a disaster strikes are the most crucial. Whether you're dealing with a waterlogged office or a building rocked by an earthquake, the decisions you make immediately after the disruption can make or break your company's future. By making safety your top priority and knowing where to turn for help, you can get your business back on its feet.

Important steps that will give you a head start in recovering from a disaster:

1. Your first step should be to make sure that everyone in your facility is safe. That could mean moving people out of the building and shutting off the electricity, water and gas.
2. Report any loss or damage to your insurance company right away.
3. Don't return to the building until inspectors have declared it safe.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take immediate action

Find out what you can do right away to minimize loss and injury.

I recommend: The Federal Emergency Management Agency tells you what to do in the first 48 hours after any disaster. Learn about important actions you need to take after a flood, fire, earthquake and other disasters.

Find out the latest weather and travel conditions

A natural disaster or terrorist attack can bring road and air travel to a halt. Before you decide to transport your equipment, furniture and business documents to another location, make sure you can make the trip.

I recommend: The National Weather Service provides weather updates and emergency weather warnings. The Federal Highway Administration tells you which roads are closed or clogged. The Federal Aviation Administration gives you updates on airport closings and delays.

Retrieve your computer files

Your computer hardware may look smashed, broken or burned, but don't assume that all of the data on your hard drive has disappeared.

I recommend: Data recovery specialists such as ADR Data Recovery, a nationwide service, can provide emergency, on-site data recovery. Geeks On Call can also help you with data recovery as well as other computer-related problems that can disrupt business.

Locate temporary office space

Your office may be uninhabitable for days, weeks or months. If you can't operate out of your home, look into temporary facilities.

I recommend: At Search Office Space America you'll find listings of temporary office quarters that are available throughout the United States.

Ask a disaster recovery specialist to take-over

If a disaster has devastated your business, you'll probably need help reassembling your company. Call in a firm specializes in helping businesses through that process.

I recommend: Agility Recovery Solutions provides everything from power generators to mobile offices to keep businesses running.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be ready to document the post-disaster damage for your insurance company. Photograph and videotape structural damage to your facility as well as damage to business equipment and materials.
• •  Beware of people who attempt to take advantage of disaster victims. Check the credentials of anyone who approaches you with offers to help you with repairs or office clean-up. If you suspect a scam, report it to the Better Business Bureau.
• •  Give employees, and yourself, time to recover from the emotional trauma of enduring a disaster. Assess whether your business really does need to be up-and-running tomorrow. If you can take a more methodical approach to recovery, your business is likely to rebound more quickly.