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Increased Wind and Storm Surge Risk Demands Immediate Business Preparedness

·9 min read·⚡ Act Now

Executive Summary

Anticipated high winds and storm surge from an approaching system require businesses to immediately review and fortify their disaster preparedness plans to mitigate property damage and operational disruptions. Tourism operators and real estate owners face direct physical risks, while all sectors must consider supply chain and infrastructure vulnerabilities.

  • Small Business Operators: Risk of physical damage, supply chain interruption, increased operational costs for repairs/downtime.
  • Real Estate Owners: Direct threat of property damage from wind and flooding, potential for extended vacancies.
  • Tourism Operators: Disruption to bookings, damage to facilities, potential flight cancellations impacting arrivals and departures.
  • Agriculture & Food Producers: Crop damage, disruption to harvesting and distribution, potential damage to farm structures and equipment.
  • Healthcare Providers: Facility damage, power outages impacting critical services, disruptions to patient transport and staff access.
  • Action: Review and update business continuity and disaster response plans by the end of the week.

Action Required

CriticalBefore storm impact

Exposure to high winds and storm surge can cause significant property damage and operational downtime if mitigation measures are not in place.

As an immediate priority, all businesses should review and update their Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Disaster Response Plan by April 12, 2026. This includes physical property assessment and securing measures, data backup verification, communication plan activation for staff and customers, and insurance policy review, with specific actions tailored to each role's vulnerabilities.

Who's Affected
Small Business OperatorsReal Estate OwnersTourism OperatorsAgriculture & Food ProducersHealthcare Providers
Ripple Effects
  • →Damage to transportation infrastructure (roads, ports) → exacerbated supply chain disruptions and increased costs for essential goods.
  • →Widespread power and communication outages → disruption to business operations and strain on emergency services.
  • →Damage to coastal tourism infrastructure → long-term impacts on visitor arrivals and related service industries.
A dramatic view of Hawaiian coastline with storm clouds and rugged rocks.
Photo by Kharl Anthony Paica

Increased Wind and Storm Surge Risk Demands Immediate Business Preparedness

The approaching storm system brings a heightened risk of high winds and significant storm surge, posing direct threats to businesses across Hawaii. This necessitates an urgent review and fortification of disaster preparedness plans to safeguard operations and physical assets.

The Change

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) has identified high winds and significant storm surge as primary concerns with the developing storm system. These conditions, when combined, present a severe threat to infrastructure and property. Beyond immediate wind damage, the potential for widespread flooding from storm surge can isolate communities, disrupt transportation, and impact essential services. Businesses must prepare for the possibility of prolonged outages and significant physical damage.

Who's Affected

Small Business Operators Owners of restaurants, retail shops, and service-based businesses face direct risks of property damage from high winds and flooding. Inventory loss, damage to fixtures, and extended operational downtime can lead to significant financial strain. Supply chain disruptions due to impacted transportation routes will also be a major concern, potentially affecting access to goods and raw materials. Businesses that rely on physical foot traffic will be particularly vulnerable to closures.

Real Estate Owners Property owners, developers, and landlords must assess their properties for vulnerabilities to high winds and storm surge. This includes ensuring adequate drainage, securing external structures, and potentially reinforcing windows and doors. Damage can lead to costly repairs, extended vacancy periods, and loss of rental income. Property managers need to have emergency contact lists for contractors and tenants readily available.

Tourism Operators Hotels, tour companies, and vacation rental businesses are at high risk. High winds can cause structural damage to facilities, while storm surge can inundate coastal properties. Cancellations due to flight disruptions and traveler advisories will lead to immediate revenue losses. Reopening and recovery post-storm can also be hampered by damaged infrastructure and the need for extensive repairs, impacting future bookings.

Agriculture & Food Producers Farmers and ranchers face direct threats to crops and livestock from high winds and flooding. Harvested produce can be lost, and essential farm infrastructure like greenhouses, irrigation systems, and storage facilities may be compromised. Distribution channels for food producers can be severely disrupted due to damaged roads and ports, impacting their ability to get products to market or process raw materials.

Healthcare Providers Clinics, private practices, and medical facilities must ensure their infrastructure can withstand high winds and potential flooding. Power outages are a critical concern, as backup generators must be operational. Access for staff and patients could be severely hampered by damaged roads and public transportation disruptions. Telehealth services may become a crucial lifeline, but require reliable internet connectivity, which itself can be vulnerable.

Second-Order Effects

High winds and storm surge can lead to widespread power outages and damage to communication infrastructure. This will disrupt business operations, but also strain the capacity of emergency services and healthcare providers. Furthermore, damage to transportation networks (roads, ports, airports) will exacerbate supply chain disruptions, leading to increased costs for essential goods and materials for all businesses. Coastal erosion and damage to tourism infrastructure could have long-term impacts on Hawaii's largest economic driver, potentially reducing visitor arrivals and impacting related service industries.

What to Do

Small Business Operators

  • Action: Review and update your Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Disaster Response Plan immediately. For those with physical locations, secure loose outdoor items, reinforce windows if feasible, and consider sandbagging entrances in flood-prone areas. Ensure critical business data is backed up off-site or in the cloud. Communicate preparedness steps to your employees.
  • Timeline: Complete review and necessary immediate actions by April 12, 2026.

Real Estate Owners

  • Action: Conduct a property assessment focusing on wind and flood vulnerability. Clear drains and gutters. Secure outdoor furniture, signage, and any loose materials. For rental properties, ensure tenants have emergency contact information and guidelines for securing their units. Review insurance policies to confirm coverage for wind and flood damage.
  • Timeline: Complete property assessments and initial securing measures by April 12, 2026.

Tourism Operators

  • Action: Review cancellation policies and proactively communicate with guests about potential disruptions. Ensure all guest-facing areas and outdoor amenities are secured. Activate your emergency communication plan for staff. Verify backup power systems for critical hotel operations (reservations, HVAC, safety systems).
  • Timeline: Implement policy reviews and communication protocols by April 12, 2026.

Agriculture & Food Producers

  • Action: Secure farm equipment and machinery. Protect harvested crops stored on-site. For livestock, ensure they have adequate shelter and access to food and water. Review irrigation systems for potential damage and secure vulnerable infrastructure like greenhouses. Assess transportation logistics for potential post-storm delays.
  • Timeline: Complete immediate securing and protection measures by April 12, 2026.

Healthcare Providers

  • Action: Test backup power generators and ensure fuel supplies are adequate. Secure all external medical equipment and ensure windows and doors are reinforced or protected. Review patient transport plans and staff accessibility protocols. Ensure telehealth infrastructure is robust and contingency plans are in place for communication disruptions.
  • Timeline: Complete system tests and plan reviews by April 12, 2026.

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