Unless you’ve recently moved to a new location, you probably know the types of weather events most common to your area from firsthand experience. Doing business in Southern California? Earthquakes and wildfires might be top of mind. Operating on the New Jersey shore? Hurricanes and flooding will be more of a concern for you. If you’re not sure about how to prioritize your weather disaster list, do some historical weather pattern research on the Internet for your state.
Weather-related disasters can hit virtually anywhere, and unusual weather events are cropping up in unexpected locations. In January 2012, Olympia, Washington was buried in a foot of snow. In April 2012, Amarillo, Texas was pummeled by nickel-sized hail. In April 2011, 258 tornadoes struck the Southeast over a four-day period. But if you work elsewhere, don’t feel left out. In 2012, record-breaking extreme weather events occurred in all 50 states. So despite historical norms, it pays to plan for the unexpected, as well.
