Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief Options for Business Owners
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Hurricane Ian as we speak
Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on September 28, 2022, and once more in South Carolina on September 30, 2022. The storm traveled throughout the Southeastern United States leaving a path of destruction for householders, small enterprise house owners, and vacationers. The entire impression of the storm continues to be being assessed, however as of Monday, October 3, 2022, there have been 68 deaths reported in Florida, North Carolina, and Cuba.
All through Florida, there are nonetheless about 620,000 houses and companies with no energy, which is barely a fraction of the two.6 million energy outages reported late final week. There was extreme flooding from heavy rainfall and harmful storm surges reported in components of all impacted states, and the flooding is anticipated to proceed as rivers and different waterways rise. Residents and enterprise house owners are persevering with to be rescued by volunteers and Emergency response groups, and people which might be secure are looking for catastrophe aid choices.
Assets for small enterprise house owners impacted by Hurricane Ian
In case your small enterprise was affected by Hurricane Ian, youâre in all probability questioning what to do subsequent. Whereas thereâs no simple solution to navigate the rebuilding course of after a pure catastrophe, weâve compiled an inventory of Hurricane Ian assets small enterprise house owners can use to begin the catastrophe restoration course of.
Report injury
The state of Florida continues to watch the injury brought on by Hurricane Ian. In an effort to have the ability to present efficient help to small enterprise house owners, the state is asking enterprise house owners to finish the Enterprise Injury Evaluation Survey for Hurricane Ian. The survey permits authorities to evaluate the enterprise wants in every group. After finishing the survey, you may be contacted by federal, state, or native governments in the event you point out that youâd like extra info or request particular providers.
Insurance coverage claims
Contact your corporation insurance coverage provider as quickly as doable to file a declare concerning any injury from Hurricane Ian. Whereas most complete enterprise insurance coverage insurance policies shouldn’t have a separate coverage for pure disasters, injury from hurricanes is roofed by a mixture of flood insurance coverage, windstorm protection, and your businessâs property insurance coverage. For small companies in Florida, you might also have a coverage or protection referred to as, âwind, hurricane, and hail,â which is able to cowl many of the injury from Hurricane Ian. Since hurricane injury, together with lack of revenues, could also be coated by a number of insurance policies, remember to contact all of the insurance coverage carriers you’re employed with.
The insurance coverage declare course of may be lengthy and disturbing, however observe these steps to assist expedite your insurance coverage reimbursement:
- Contact insurance coverage carriers instantly
- Take pictures or movies of all injury
- Create a list listing, that features any enterprise gear that was broken
- Preserve an in depth declare log to maintain monitor of declare kinds and conversations
- Meet with the insurance coverage adjuster and phone a public adjuster when you’ve got considerations
- Get three restore estimates, however watch out for fraudulent contractors
Tax aid
Small enterprise house owners which might be making an attempt to recuperate from damages brought on by Hurricane Ian might also be involved about how they will set up and pay their 2021 prolonged federal revenue taxes or their 2022 quarterly tax funds. Nonetheless, the IRS has issued an extension for Florida enterprise house owners affected by the storm. The press launch from the IRS on September 29, 2022, said that âPeople and households affected by Hurricane Ian that reside or have a enterprise anyplace within the state of Florida qualify for tax aid.â Whereas the tax deadline extension routinely applies to small companies in Florida, enterprise house owners in different areas that had been affected by Hurricane Ian can name 866-562-5227 to request the identical extensions.
The submitting and cost deadline was prolonged to February 15, 2023for any funds or returns that had been due between September 23, 2022, and February 14, 2023. Small enterprise house owners in Florida that had filed an extension to file their 2021 revenue tax returns not must adjust to the October 17, 2022 deadline, however the 2021 tax funds due on April 18, 2022, are usually not included within the further extension. The February 2023 prolonged deadline additionally applies to the quarterly estimated tax funds that will be due on January 17, 2023, and the payroll and excise tax returns that will must be accomplished on October 31, 2022, and January 31, 2023.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) is a useful useful resource for companies recovering from Hurricane Ian. Their web site affords details about native assets and funding choices. FEMA affords catastrophe help to each companies and people, which may be accessed by making use of at www.disasterassistance.gov. Registering with FEMA is a required step for small enterprise house owners to entry the SBA catastrophe loans and different help applications. The FEMA web site and cellular app additionally comprise many hyperlinks for involved enterprise house owners, Hurricane Ian FAQs, and brochures in a number of languages explaining navigate the FEMA course of after the hurricane.
SBDC
The Florida Small Enterprise Growth Middle (SBDC) Community can also be offering help to companies impacted by Hurricane Ian that need assistance making use of for monetary help or different hurricane aid choices. There isn’t a price to entrepreneurs that use the SBDC providers, like these obtainable by the Cell Help Facilities (MAC). The centerâs cellular help autos convey laptops, printers, web entry, and different assets into the communities severely impacted so enterprise house owners can begin the method of making use of for aid efforts, like insurance coverage claims, FEMA help, and SBA loans on safe web sites. Along with the Cell Help Facilities deployed by the SBDC, the middle additionally works with the U.S. Small Enterprise Administration to arrange Enterprise Restoration Facilities in different affected communities.
American Purple Cross
The American Purple Cross catastrophe response workforce affords aid to these affected by Hurricane Ian. The group helps householders, renters, and enterprise house owners get linked to requirements like meals, water, shelter, and healthcare suppliers. Their web site affords a number of tips about staying secure throughout and after a hurricane and particular assets for these with disabilities. Since Thursday, September 29, the Purple Cross and their companions have been in a position to arrange 100 shelters all through Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Different native assets
Authorities companies, native communities, and enterprise growth entities are working exhausting to offer the entire vital assets to these most affected by Hurricane Ian. Along with monetary help and federal help, there are a number of organizations obtainable for people who suffered losses.
Publish-hurricane security
Cleansing up the property that your property or enterprise sits on may be an amazing process after a hurricane. Whereas the worst of Ian is over, it’s important for householders and entrepreneurs to remain secure and observe tips for particles elimination, mills, and standing water. Earlier than starting any kind of clean-up efforts, remember to monitor the climate in your space.
Particles elimination
If the property surrounding your corporation or the inside of the constructing, you lease or personal is cluttered with particles. Observe these security tips when starting clean-up.
- Test for electrical hazards and keep away from any water, instruments, or branches which might be touching a reside energy line.
- Utility strains, like cable and web wires, could also be tangled in damaged branches. Assume all wires are reside.
- Watch out for uprooted or damaged branches when cleansing round and beneath them.
- Test for pick-up dates and accepted gadgets on this particles elimination listingprinted by Fox35 in Orlando on social media.
Generator Security
Many small companies in Florida are nonetheless with out energy. Among the most impacted areas embody Tallahassee, Sarasota, Puerto Rico, Naples, and Fort Meyers. Companies, houses, and First Responders are counting on mills to maintain their perishable gadgets recent and supply energy throughout their restoration efforts. When working a transportable generator, be mindful the next ideas:
- Don’t run a transportable generator indoors.
- Test the wattage of powered gadgets so the generatorâs capability just isn’t exceeded.
- Donât join a generator on to {the electrical} field.
- Donât refuel your generator whereas it’s working.
Standing water
Attempt to drain standing water inside or round your businessâs property. Standing water gives a breeding floor for mosquitos and creates a hazard for mills and fallen energy strains. Standing water additionally presents a risk of damage as a result of there may be usually particles hiding within the water. Contact the native water and sewer firms for help with extreme standing water.
Financing choices for small enterprise house owners
Enterprise house owners which have suffered property injury or have been unable to open for enterprise are in search of monetary help to restore and rebuild their firms. Whereas numerous storm injury is roofed by insurance coverage, insurance coverage assessments and payouts can take months to be permitted and paid. In case you are involved concerning the monetary impression of Hurricane Ian on your corporation, take into account studying about these small enterprise mortgage choices.
SBA Enterprise Bodily Catastrophe Mortgage
Bodily catastrophe loans give enterprise house owners entry to funding to restore and exchange property that was broken throughout a significant catastrophe. Property might embody actual property, equipment, autos, and home equipment.
Residents and companies impacted by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico are in a position to apply for a mortgage by the U.S. Small Enterprise Administration (SBA). They’re accepting purposes for bodily catastrophe loans by November 21, 2022
Small enterprise house owners in Florida that suffered losses throughout Hurricane Ian are additionally eligible to use for bodily catastrophe loans with the SBA. Presently, the deadline for Hurricane Ian mortgage purposes is November 28, 2022.
SBA Financial Harm Catastrophe Loans (EIDL)
EIDL are low-interest, long-term financing choices for small enterprise house owners and nonprofit organizations which might be unable to fulfill their vital monetary obligations throughout the catastrophe restoration course of. The funds could also be used to make mortgage funds and pay working bills, like utility payments and payroll prices.
Small companies that incurred financial damage throughout Hurricane Fiona can apply for the SBA EIDL by June 21, 2023.
Companies impacted by Hurricane Ian can apply for EIDL loans by June 29, 2023.
Backside Line
Since President Joe Biden formally declared Florida a state of emergency on September 24, numerous information releases have tried to convey related info to small enterprise house owners and householders within the affected areas. The quantity of knowledge following Hurricane Ian may be overwhelming, however small enterprise house owners can use this listing of assets as a reference. One of the best place to begin restoration efforts for a enterprise proprietor is by registering for catastrophe help with FEMA. Your particular person enterprise wants might also embody exploring financing choices. Attain out to Biz2Credit as we speak when you’ve got questions concerning the SBA mortgage choices obtainable or different small enterprise loans.
