As a business owner or local resident, it’s good to always be prepared for any weather events that may come your way. Do you know what you need for your emergency storm kit? What protects your home and business and what doesn’t?
We have compiled some resources below to help you prepare your business and family. Be sure to always stay tuned to official sources for updates. Social media is great for quick communication, but following official sources will ensure you always have the most up-to-date and accurate information to make the right preparedness calls. Your chamber will always use official, government, and weather resources when we are relaying information to you.
Resources for your business
Prepare for emergencies
Did you know that a quarter of small businesses don’t reopen following a disaster? Here are checklists you can use to make your business resilient as well as links to financial assistance, courtesy of the Small Business Administration.
FEMA
FEMA has both a step-by-step playbook for preparing your business and employees for a hurricane and other comprehensive checklists for disaster preparedness.
Disaster Help Desk for Business
Businesses and chambers can call 1-888-My-Biz-Help for direct support from disaster recovery experts from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Resilience in a Box
Resource guide from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce based on best practices designed to help educate business leaders on disaster preparedness and business resilience.
Disaster Recovery Quick Guides
Made possible by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, this has tailored tips for small businesses and chambers looking to prepare and recover.
Insurance Info
Wind and hail, waiting periods, contacting your agent during a disaster and more. Click below for top tips on insurance and how to protect your home and family ahead of a storm.
Go local for your storm updates
During a weather event, it can be hard to cut through the noise of fast-moving information. Get your information first-hand from local, reputable, official sources – such as those listed below. These local sources often bring a much more up-to-the-moment portrayal of what’s happening in our area. Your chamber will always use official, government, and weather resources when we are relaying information to you.
Important Information Resources:
Government Resources
- Town of Hilton Head Island: hiltonheadislandsc.gov, @TownofHiltonHeadIslandSC
- Town of Bluffton: townofblufftonsc.gov, @TownBlufftonSC
- SC Traffic Cameras: scdot.org
- SC Traffic Information/Road Conditions: (888) 877-9151 • sctraffic.org
- National Hurricane Center: nhc.noaa.gov
- SC Emergency Management: scemd.org, @SCEMD
- Beaufort Co. Emergency Management: bcgov.net
- Beaufort Co. Hurricane Hotline: (800) 963-5023
- Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Facebook: facebook.com/BeaufortCoSO/
- BCSO Next Door
- BCSO Twitter: twitter.com/bcsopio
- Sign Up for BCSO Nixle Alerts
- Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce: @hhibchamber
Media Resources
- The Island Packet
- WSAV
- WTOC
- WJCL
- WTGS
- The Bluffton Today
- Emergency Broadcast Station: 97.3 KISS FM
- Clear Channel: The River 98.7 FM
- Cumulus Radio: WBMQ AM 630 and WEAS 93.1FM
- Adventure Radio: WLOW 107.9 FM
- Spanish Radio: Radio Del Sol WNFO 1430 AM
- South Carolina Public Radio: 89.9 FM
Hurricane Facts
Do you know the difference between a storm surge and a storm tide and which one means trouble for our area? Should you evacuate on a hurricane watch or warning. Click below for a refresher course in the basics on hurricane intensity and hazards.
Do I evacuate and if so, how?
Low-lying areas like Beaufort County often require specific evacuation plans and timing. Know where to go and when to go.
Click here for evacuation maps for Beaufort County
Click here for local shelter information
Click here for current road conditions
After a Weather Event
When is re-entry safe? Where do I begin the clean up process? What can I expect from my insurance company? After a storm hits, repairing the damage can be a confusing and time- consuming process. Be prepared before danger strikes to ensure all goes well after the storm.
Recovery Information
American Red Cross Palmetto Service Center: (843) 757-7437
FEMA: fema.gov
NOAA: noaa.gov
Small Business Administration: sba.gov
Small Business Assistance Corporation: sbacsav.com
SC Insurance News Service: (803) 252-3455
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce: (843) 785-3673 • (800) 523-3373