In a year when major disasters have impacted many areas of the United States, less than a third (31 percent) of business owners in a recent Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index survey said their businesses are extremely or very prepared for such disasters.
Another 46 percent indicated they are only somewhat prepared. Over half (54 percent) indicated they are not concerned about a disaster impacting their business, the survey found.
The survey, conducted July 6-12, weeks before Hurricane Irene and the recent East Coast earthquake, posed questions to business owners about their emergency preparedness for major disasters (i.e., fire, tornado, hurricane) and seasonal weather events (i.e., snow, ice, minor flooding).
The results suggest more business owners are prepared on the home front than on the business front. Only 37 percent of business owners surveyed by Wells Fargo and Gallup have a defined and practiced emergency plan at work compared to 54 percent at home. The same was true for other areas of preparedness:
· Emergency supplies (52% business, 71% home)
· Knowledge of where to seek shelter (64% business, 79% home)
· Knowledge of evacuation routes (68% business, 79% home)
· Reviewing communication plans (49% business, 67% home)
 • Having insurance policies with coverage for a disaster (73% business, 86% home)
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