Here’s a sobering statistic for Tampa Bay area businesses: If a Category 5 hurricane made a direct hit on our region, it’s estimated that as many as 40 percent of the area’s small businesses would permanently close.
This estimate from the Federal Emergency Management Agency reflects how such a storm would damage or destroy much of the infrastructure needed for small companies to survive, from roads to power sources to technology.
As part of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Project Phoenix 2.0, the Planning Council works with area municipalities and business groups to train businesspeople on how to prepare for the worst.
Read the full story in the Tampa Bay Times to learn 8 tips for businesses to prepare for the 2021 storm season.