In order to recover quickly after a disaster, you need to have a plan created long before one can ever strike. With a well-rehearsed plan, you and your team can seamlessly flow through the steps to prepare ahead of a storm, flood or fire and be ready to jump right back into work afterward.

One of the most crucial parts of a solid emergency plan is communication. Preparing for disasters should be a regular part of your staff training so that it can be enacted with very little direction when something does happen.

Every few months, walk your building with your employees to point out exit routes, fire extinguishers and water shut-off valves. Give a quick rundown on how to use emergency supplies, and talk with your staff about the best way to secure your building when a storm is predicted.

Ensure your team knows the expectations for getting back to work once the threat of a disaster has passed. If you will be working remotely, check equipment and networks early to ensure everyone has what they need.

If your building is unusable and you intend to use an alternate location, make sure keys or security information are properly distributed ahead of time. Keep in touch with your team throughout the event, and plan on communicating instructions across multiple platforms.