Hurricane Season Tech Checklist: Protecting Your Business Infrastructure

Living and doing business on the Outer Banks comes with seasonal challenges. One of the biggest: hurricanes.

Most businesses think about physical preparedness—boarding up windows, securing outdoor equipment, evacuating if needed. But there's another critical part of hurricane preparation that's often overlooked: protecting your technology infrastructure.

When a hurricane hits, damage often isn't just physical. Power goes out (sometimes for days). Internet goes down (sometimes for weeks). Equipment gets damaged by wind and water. Data can be lost. Systems go offline.

The businesses that recover fastest are the ones that planned ahead.

This post is a hurricane season technology checklist—things to do now, before the season gets serious, that protect your business when storms hit.

Why Hurricane Prep Matters for Your Business Infrastructure

Here's what typically happens during a hurricane:

Power Loss: 3-7 days without power (especially in coastal areas) Internet Loss: 3-21 days without internet (longer in some cases) Physical Damage: Water, wind, and debris damage equipment Data Loss: Unsaved work, corrupted systems, lost files Business Interruption: Can't operate; can't even assess damage

But here's the thing: with proper preparation, you can survive this.

The cost of preparation ($2,000-$5,000 typically) is a fraction of the cost of recovery without a plan:

  • Lost revenue during shutdown
  • Equipment replacement
  • Data recovery services
  • Business interruption (loss of customers to competitors)

Coastal businesses that prepare recover in days. Those that don't might not recover at all.

The Hurricane Tech Prep Checklist

Phase 1: Before Hurricane Season (April-May)

This is the easy stuff you do right now.

Data Backup

  • Audit what data you have: Customer data? Financial records? Operational data? Email archives?
  • Implement cloud backup: All critical data should be in the cloud (not just on local servers)
    • Microsoft 365 backs up email and documents
    • Dropbox or Google Drive backs up files
    • QuickBooks Online keeps accounting data in the cloud
    • Specialized backup solutions (Backblaze, Carbonite) back up everything
  • Test restoration: Don't find out during a hurricane that your backup doesn't work. Test it now.
  • Document backup procedures: Who knows where backups are? Write it down.

Cost: $50-200/month for proper cloud backups

Critical System Documentation

  • List all systems: What software/services run your business?

    • Email
    • Accounting
    • CRM/customer data
    • Phones/communication
    • Websites/online presence
    • Security systems
    • Building controls
    • Custom software

  • Document access: For each system, document:

    • Login credentials (stored securely, not just one person knowing)
    • Provider contact info
    • Recovery procedures
    • Dependencies (what depends on what?)

  • Create a disaster recovery contact sheet:

    • Your IT provider
    • ISP support
    • Utility companies
    • Insurance agent
    • Backup providers
    • Equipment vendors

Store physically (printed copy) and digitally (password-protected).

Cybersecurity Hardening

Hurricanes create vulnerability windows. Criminals know this. They target businesses dealing with emergencies.

  • Update all systems: Install all security patches and updates
  • Implement multi-factor authentication: Email, banking, critical systems
  • Verify backups are encrypted: Ensures data is protected even if stolen
  • Review access permissions: Who can access what? Remove unnecessary access.
  • Create a cybersecurity incident plan: In case of breach during/after hurricane

Cost: Usually free (mostly configuration)

Equipment and Power Planning

  • Inventory critical equipment: What hardware is essential to operate?

    • Computers
    • Servers
    • Routers/network equipment
    • Phone systems
    • Security systems
    • Cameras

  • Plan for power loss: Can you operate without power?

    • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for critical equipment ($200-$500 per device)
    • Generator for building ($5,000-$20,000+)
    • Battery backup for internet equipment (can keep you online 6-12 hours)

  • Document equipment locations: Where is every piece of hardware? Where should it be moved to if needed? Which needs generator backup?

  • Surge protection: All equipment should be on surge protectors

Communication Plan

  • Backup communication methods:

    • Satellite internet as backup if cable/fiber internet goes down
    • Mobile hotspots with different carriers (Verizon + AT&T, so if one network is down, you have another)
    • Two-way radios for team coordination if all communication goes down

  • Evacuation procedures: If you need to evacuate the building, what's the plan?

    • Key equipment to take
    • Who communicates evacuation decision?
    • Where do team members go?
    • How do you stay in contact?

Phase 2: During Season Prep (June-August)

Monthly maintenance to keep systems ready.

Monthly System Checks

  • Test backups: Pick a random file from a week ago and restore it. Make sure it works.
  • Check equipment health: Run system diagnostics. Are systems running normally?
  • Verify redundancy: If one internet connection goes down, does your backup activate?
  • Test generator (if you have one): Monthly load test ensures it works under stress
  • Review access logs: Any suspicious activity? Any unauthorized access attempts?

Monthly Communication Review

  • Verify contact list is up to date: Phone numbers, email addresses, vendor contacts—all current?
  • Test backup communication: Try calling team members via backup number/method. Does it work?
  • Review evacuation plan: Everyone knows what to do if ordered to evacuate?

Software/Firmware Updates

  • Apply security patches: Don't put this off. New vulnerabilities appear constantly.
  • Update firmware: Network equipment, security systems, backup systems
  • Update virus definitions: Ensure antivirus is current

Cost: Typically free or low cost

Phase 3: Hurricane Watch (Active Season, as Storms Approach)

When a hurricane is within 5 days, activate these measures.

Final Backup Run

  • Initiate full backup: Make sure everything is backed up as of today
  • Verify backup completion: Confirm backup finished and data is safe
  • Document backup date/time: In case you need to restore to this exact point

Prepare for Power Loss

  • Charge all battery-backed devices: Laptops, phones, tablets, power banks
  • Prepare generators: Fuel them up, test them, ensure they'll start under stress
  • Identify equipment to power down: What can go offline? What needs to stay up?
  • Note UPS backup times: How long will critical equipment stay online if power loss happens?

Prepare for Internet Loss

  • Download critical information: Any data you might need offline
  • Prepare mobile hotspots: Charge devices, ensure active service
  • Document procedures that don't require internet: Can you operate on-site without internet?

Secure Physical Location

  • Move critical equipment to high/dry locations: Get hardware off floors (flooding risk)
  • Protect equipment: Move away from windows (wind and flying debris risk)
  • Prepare for water: Even if power is protected, water can damage equipment
    • Use waterproof containers for electronics
    • Elevate equipment off floors
    • Place absorbent materials nearby

Communicate with Team

  • Brief team on hurricane plan: Everyone knows evacuation procedures, communication plan, what to do
  • Clarify work status during hurricane: Will they work remotely? When? How?
  • Provide emergency contact info: How does team reach you during hurricane?

Prepare Physical Building

  • Document building condition: Photo/video of building before hurricane (helps with insurance claims)
  • Move data center/server equipment: Move away from windows and flood zones if possible
  • Prepare temporary relocation: Where will you operate from if building is damaged?

Phase 4: Post-Hurricane Recovery

After the storm passes.

Assess Damage

  • Document all damage: Photos/videos for insurance
  • Physically inspect equipment: Is it damaged? Is it safe to power on?
  • Don't power on yet: Wet equipment can cause fires. Let it dry first.

Restore Systems

  • Restore from backup: Use your backups to rebuild systems
  • Verify data integrity: Does data look right? Is anything corrupted?
  • Test all systems: Make sure everything works before declaring business restored
  • Document restoration time: What came back online when? Helps you improve plan for next hurricane

Review and Improve

  • What worked well? Keep those processes.
  • What didn't work? Fix it before next hurricane.
  • Update documentation: Did procedures change based on lessons learned?
  • Communicate lessons learned: Share with team so they understand what to improve

Real-World Example: Hurricane Isabel, 2003

Isabel hit the Outer Banks hard. Business buildings were damaged. Power was out for a week. Internet was out for 3 weeks in some areas.

Business A (unprepared):

  • Server room in basement. Flooded. Lost all systems.
  • No backups. Had to manually recreate years of customer data.
  • Insurance didn't cover everything (didn't properly document equipment).
  • Was shut down for 8 months. Lost customers to competitors.
  • Never fully recovered financially.

Business B (prepared):

  • Critical systems backed up to cloud.
  • Equipment moved to high shelves before storm.
  • Generator powered backup systems.
  • Had power restored within 24 hours (generator).
  • Had internet restored within 3 days (LTE hotspot backup).
  • Opened doors for customers within 48 hours.
  • Lost revenue for 2 days; competitors lost it for weeks.

The difference? Preparation. Business B's disaster recovery plan cost $10,000 to implement. That one plan saved them hundreds of thousands in recovery costs and lost business.

Tech Checklist: The Spreadsheet Version

Here's a simpler version you can actually use:

Before Season (Do These Now):

  • Inventory all critical systems and software
  • Document system access and credentials (securely)
  • Implement cloud backup for all critical data
  • Test data restoration (pick a random file, restore it)
  • Update all systems and security patches
  • Review and test backup internet options
  • Create contact list (IT provider, ISP, vendors)
  • Photograph/video building and equipment (for insurance)
  • Brief team on disaster recovery plan
  • Test generator (if applicable)

During Season (Monthly):

  • Run backup and verify completion
  • Check system health and diagnostics
  • Verify internet failover works
  • Test backup communication methods
  • Apply any new security patches
  • Review access logs for suspicious activity

When Hurricane Watch Issued (5 Days Out):

  • Run final backup
  • Charge all battery-backed devices
  • Prepare/fuel generators
  • Prepare mobile hotspots
  • Secure physical location (move equipment high/dry)
  • Brief team on procedures
  • Prepare building documentation (photos)

After Storm Passes:

  • Assess damage to equipment and building
  • Document damage for insurance
  • Restore systems from backup
  • Test all systems
  • Review what worked and what didn't
  • Update procedures for next time

The Cost of Preparation vs. Recovery

Proper hurricane prep costs:

  • Cloud backup: $100-200/month = $1,200-2,400/year
  • Generator (one-time): $5,000-15,000 (lasts 15+ years)
  • UPS backup systems: $500-2,000 one-time
  • Mobile hotspots: $50-100/month = $600-1,200/year
  • Documentation and planning: Your time (maybe 10 hours per year)

Total annual cost: $2,000-4,500/year for comprehensive prep

Cost of not being prepared:

  • Lost revenue during shutdown (days or weeks)
  • Equipment replacement: $5,000-50,000+
  • Data recovery (if possible): $5,000-100,000+
  • Loss of customers to competitors
  • Potential business failure

For many businesses, a hurricane without preparation is existential.

For $3,000-5,000 per year, you can almost guarantee you'll survive the next hurricane and recover quickly.

The Bottom Line

Hurricane season is part of living on the Outer Banks. You can't prevent storms, but you can prepare for them.

Businesses with disaster recovery plans recover in days. Businesses without plans sometimes don't recover at all.

The best time to start preparing is now, months before hurricane season. The worst time is when a hurricane is 5 days away.

If you haven't prepared your technology infrastructure for hurricane season, now is the time to start.

Download the Complete Checklist

We've created a detailed, step-by-step hurricane prep checklist you can download and use. It includes:

  • Month-by-month tasks
  • System inventory templates
  • Contact list template
  • Recovery procedures
  • Post-hurricane checklist

Get Professional Help With Your Disaster Recovery Plan

If you're not sure where to start, or if you want expert guidance on hurricane-proofing your technology infrastructure, let's talk.

We work with Outer Banks businesses to create disaster recovery plans that actually work. We help you identify vulnerabilities, prepare backup systems, and test procedures before hurricane season.

Download the Hurricane Tech Prep Checklist and get professional guidance

Or call us directly: (804) 510-9224 | info@sandbarsys.com