34% of U.S. Small Businesses Have Been Hit by Disasters – It Pays to Be Prepared

Last year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency made 78 major disaster and wildfire declarations. The Small Business Majority reported one-third or 34 percent of American small businesses have personally seen extreme weather impact their business. Likewise, a survey from Allstate, “What Keeps Small Business Owners Up at Night,” uncovered at least 25 percent of businesses that close due to a disaster, never reopen.

“Our survey found the fifth biggest risk small business owners fear is the inability to do business because of physical damage to a building or structure,” said Mark McGillivray, senior vice president, Allstate Claims. “No one expects the unthinkable to happen. But the severe weather hitting most parts of our county is real. It can happen anytime and anywhere. Business owners must be prepared for a disaster so they can rebuild, repair and reopen their doors as quickly as possible.”